Description
The Ford escort mk2 rs1800 group 4 is widely regarded as being one of, if not the greatest and most versatile rally cars of all time. From its debut on the Granite City Rally in April 1975 where it won fresh out the box, to claiming the World Drivers Championship in 1981 with Ari Vatanen on the Lombard RAC Rally. Before Ford pulled the plug on the RS1800 as the development of 4WD began to take over. With 17 outright victories on the world championship events including, five on the infamous Lombard RAC Rally. Not to mention the unrivalled success on events throughout the UK and Ireland. There is no denying that the mk2 escort was a perfectly balanced, reliable and competitive car. Such is that testament you’ll need to fast forward 47 years to Historic rallying nowadays to see how popular the car still is and will continue to be.
Here is an amazing opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind 1979 Ford escort mk2 group 4 ‘works’ Recreation. This build came about over a 5-year period of painstaking research and analysis of archived photographs and footage. The aim of the build was to recreate a car that was indistinguishable to that of an original escort not only on the outside, but just as importantly on the inside. Creating an interactive experience like no other. To include reverse engineered ASS Scheel period racing seats, Springalex deep dish steering wheel, original OS maps, period Ford rally jackets, original helmets, working CB radio, original Halda tripmeter, period Roadbooks, tool roll, water bottles, oil cans, spare ignition pack and lots more. The list really does go on. Being immersed in all this paraphernalia and automobilia, driving this car transports you back in time to that iconic era of 1970s rallying. All this detail culminates in what you see today. What makes this car even more unique is its registration number. That being one digit removed from the Björn Waldegård car that took victories on 1977 RAC, 1978 Swedish and 1979 Acropolis rallies.
Upon completion the car was subject to a 5-page feature in Classic Ford magazine. You’ll be hard pushed to find anything else like it. The car is very useable and versatile and would be a perfect candidate for several events including the ever increasingly popular touring events such as MODENA CENTO ORE, TOUR AUTO, RALLY REVIVAL, LOMBARD BATH RALLY, GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED, MINTEX RALLY YORKSHIRE, to name a few. Not only that, with a pair of FIA spec seats and belts its ready to compete on iconic historic rallies such as the ROGER ALBERT CLARK RALLY and RALLY ANGLO CALEDONIAN, to name a few.
The car needs to be seen to be appreciated. The specification is as follows:
The body shell is an original 1979 Ford Mk2 Escort that has had all the necessary modifications that make up a Group 4 escort.
These include:
Seam welded throughout
4 Link boxes
Panhard tower
Gussets
Safety Devices historic 6-point bolt in roll cage
ZF Gearbox tunnel (provision for type9)
Aluminium arches
Front splitter
Seat Rails
Strut tops
Rear shock towers
Rear tubs
Fuel tank Platform
12 gallon aluminium fuel tank
Oil tank platform
Radiator mount
‘Works’ boot spoiler
Aluminium ‘works’ sump guard
Bare metal repaint in correct 2K Ford Diamond white
Correct satin black interior
The engine was originally used a 1978 March formula 2 race car so safe to say that is an original Ford BD engine of the period. The engine has undergone a full rebuild back to period rally specification.
Fully Rebuilt Ford BDG 1987CC
Twin Weber 48 dco2/ sp
11. 8: 1 compression ratio
New Pistons and Rings
New main and big end shells
Rods Re bushed
Head skimmed
New Kent L1 and BD3 cams as per original ‘works’ specification
Honed cylinders
New Dry sump pan and plumbing
New ‘works’ type throttle linkage
New plug lead set
New dizzy cap
Tony Law exhaust manifold
Quick release 2 ¼” system
Original GOMM oil tank with all new plumbing
New oil cooler
Works AP Purolator filter with pressure take off
New 95amp Alternator
New Wasp High torque starter motor
New aluminium radiator with cooling fan
Axle and Suspension and Steering:
Braced 5 link fully floating Atlas axle
4. 9 ZF LSD
Panhard Rod
Link bars / Radius arms
Gravel multi leaf slipper springs
Bilstein Grp4 gravel rear shocks
Grp4 Bilstein Grp4 gravel long front shocks inserts
Correct McPherson front struts with adjustable large platforms drilled for Halda cable
Forest spec front springs
World cup front crossmember with lowered rack mounts and matched engine mounts
Front anti roll bar with double width kit
Historic correct non in situ rose joint adjustable front TCA’s
2. 4 quick steering rack with gravel steering arms
Brakes and Clutch:
Front AP Racing CP2361 forest 4 pot calipers
Front AP Racing vented and grooved forest discs
Rear AP CP2577 calipers with handbrake
New Ferrodo pads all round
New cupro nickel brake pipes throughout with Goodridge flexis
Pedal box with all new Girling master cylinders
Brake bias dash adjuster
Fly off hydraulic handbrake
AP Lockheed reservoirs
Girling clutch slave cylinder
New 7 1\4” AP Racing Twin plate clutch
New clutch lever arm / release bearing
Gearbox:
Completely original direct top dog leg ZF 5 speed gearbox from an original works escort
Original quick release type bellhousing
One-piece propshaft
New Gearbox mount
Gearbox sump skid
Correct gear tower and cover and lever
Wheels & Tyres:
Front 6J x 13” genuine Minilite wheels finished in Olympic blue
Rear 7J x 13” genuine Minilite wheels finished in Olympic blue
Tyres are DMACK DMG 1 representative of the original Dunlop tread pattern
Spare in boot
Electrics:
Complete new wiring loom using original pattern retaining all correct plugs etc
Quick release fuse board and relay panel as per the ‘works’ cars
Chronometric Stack rev counter
New old stock Lucas 60 60 ammeter with correct shunt as per original
Twin Facet fuel pumps with reserve
Works oil warning light
Cut off switch
All new Lucas switch panel as per original works cars
Original Cibie Super Oscar spotlights on quick release plugs
Original map light
Intercom
Original CB radio with works antenna
Interior:
Reverse engineered from original seat, ASS Scheel 302 racing seats as per Bjorn Waldegard cars on correct runners, newly trimmed.
Still have the original works seat (separate negotiation)
2” Willans aircraft 5-point harness as works cars
Correct deep dish Springalex steering wheel
Dash panel as ‘works’ cars
Correct rear firewall tool roll and door pockets
Original Plastic Halda Twinmaster
New handheld Lifeline fire extinguishers
Original Stadium helmets
Smiths stopwatch
CB Radio
Original period Ford Forest jacket and bodywarmer
Original roadbooks and documents
Original Lombard RAC Rally competitors cap
Original race gloves
Bilstein jack
Vintage stirrup pump
Period water bottles
Period oil, brake fluid cans
Wheel brace
Navigators foot bar
Period bags
Too much detail to list inside!
Viewing is strictly appointment only.
Do not hesitate to get in touch if you require any further information or photographs.
Thanks
