|
|
Escort is without doubt the Ford's most classic rally car. Mark I was originally launched in 1968 under Twin Cam name as a replacement for earlier Anglias and Cortinas used in rallies. Already Twin Cam was a winner but BDA-powered RS1600 introduced two years later was a real jackpot. With 16 valves came lots of more power, which early on strained the transmission to the limit. Once reliability was corrected, car won rallies event after event all over the world.
For many, Mk I Escort is the better looking and more classic, but it was phased out rather soon in favour of the Mk II. Original Mk I was rallied also in RS2000 variety but mainly in Group 1 as it had bigger engine which offered no more power.
|
|
|
 |
| Debut WRC event: | Monte Carlo 1973 |
| Best WRC result: | 1st by Timo Makinen in Finland 1973
1st by Timo Makinen in Great Britain 1973
1st by Hannu Mikkola in Finland 1974
1st by Timo Makinen in Great Britain 1974 |
| Rallies contested: | 5 | (works entries) |
| WRC starts: | 10 | (works entries) |
| Outright wins: | 4 | (wins to rallies ratio 80.0%) |
| Podiums: | 8 | (podiums to starts ratio 80.0%) |
| DNF's: | 4 | (DNF's to starts ratio 40.0 %) |
| Points scored: | 136 | (manufacturer championship points) |
| Avg points per rally: | 27.2 | |
|
| Group and class | Group 4 |
| Engine |
| Location: | Front longitudinal |
| Turbo: | No |
| Cylinders: | 4 in line |
| Valves: | 16 |
| Bore x stroke: | 90.4 x 77.6 mm |
| Cubic capacity: | 1993 cc |
| Power: | 230 hp |
| Torque: | 217 Nm |
| Compression ratio: | 11.5:1 |
| Dimensions |
| Length: | 3978 mm |
| Width: | 1740 mm |
| Height: | 1384 mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2430 mm |
| Front track: | 1314 mm |
| Rear track: | 1333 mm |
| Weight: | 1027 kg |
| Transmission |
| Drive: | RWD |
| Gears: | 5 |
| Sequential: | No |
| Clutch plates: | 1 |
|
|
 |
Ford Escort Mk1
 |
 |
Ford Escort RS1600 competing in a historic rally show.
(Photo: Slowly Sideways / McKlein)
|
 |
Heart of the Escort, the famous BDA engine. Note how much room there is left in the engine bay compared to modern cars.
(Photo: Slowly Sideways / McKlein)
|
|
