Description
The Ford Escort Mk1 is one of the most iconic rally cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Driven by legendary names such as Hannu Mikkola, Roger Clark, Timo Mäkinen and Björn Waldegaard, it fired the imagination of countless enthusiasts around the world after it was launched in 1967.
Early rally Escorts were equipped with the 1558cc Lotus-Ford Twin Cam engine that had powered the Lotus Cortina, but in 1970 Ford introduced the first of its famous ‘Rallye Sport’ models – the RS1600. Built at the new Advanced Vehicle Operations site in Essex, it was powered by Cosworth’s 16-valve BDA engine, which gave 120bhp in roadgoing form. The RS1600 was followed in 1973 by the RS2000, which featured Ford’s 2-litre Pinto engine.
Not only was the Mk1 Escort successful in shorter stage rallies, it proved to be equally suitable for endurance events. The most famous of those was the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally, in which Hannu Mikkola took victory in a car that had been fitted not with a BDA engine, but with an 1850cc development of the Kent crossflow unit. That success led to the introduction of the famous Escort Mexico production car.
The car being offered for sale here is an original RS Mexico that was registered on 1 December 1971. In 2003, it was treated to a ground-up, bare-shell restoration by a member of the RS Owners Club, a process that included respraying the car from its original Monza Blue to Diamond White.
The rebuild was completed in 2004 and, after being displayed at a number of shows, the Escort was sold to another enthusiast two years later. In 2013, it was acquired by a new owner who wanted to prepare it for the 2016 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge. The car was therefore once again stripped to a bare shell and comprehensively rebuilt but this time to World Cup Rally specification at the behest of Philip Young, the founder and true inspiration of the Endurance Rally Association.
No expense was spared during this two-year process, and the Escort was ready in time to compete on the 2015 Sahara Challenge – it won its class and finished fifth overall in a 40-strong field. It was then overhauled in preparation for the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, on which it was leading its class and running third overall until a hub spline sheared after 7, 000km, ending its chance of a podium finish.
In more recent years, and now in the hands of a new owner, the Escort has competed on the New Zealand Classic, the Alaska to Mexico Marathon, and the Highland Thistle. Now fitted with a Sherwood-built 2-litre Pinto engine and a Tractive Type 9 gearbox, it’s offered for sale having been meticulously prepared for endurance rallying and having already proved itself on some of the world’s most testing events.
This is an extremely competitive and robust popular choice of classic rally car suitable for many classic car rallies by Rally the Globe or especially the Peking to Paris rally organised by HERO.
The car is currently residing with Rally Preparation Services sister Company, RPS Storage Ltd and available for inspection.
All viewings and test drives welcomed through direct contact with Rally Preparation Services.
All email enquiries please contact us on using the button below or telephone +44(0)the details below
Images subject to copyright – Rally Preparation Services Ltd
Specifications
Date of original registration 01/ 12/ 1971
Sherwood 2. 0 pinto Engine
Freeflow exhaust
Twin coils
Twin fuel pumps
Long Range 83 litre fuel pump
Tractive Type 9 Gearbox
Minilite wheels
Twin spare wheels
Alloy endurance spec fuel tank
Steel bubble arched shell
Roof vent
Full Roll Cage with external
Corbeau Sport Seats
Sabelt four point harness’
Sparco Steering wheel
Twin Monit Trip Meters
Map light
Air Compressor
RaliClok stopwatch
Fire Extinguisher
Map pockets
World cup style bull bar
Cibie spot lights
Extensive spare package
