Lot 394: 1970 Ford Escort Mk1 RS1600 Appendix ‘K’ Rally Car

It was the Escort that really put Ford on the rallying map, proving capable of winning World Championship events from 1968, when the Twin Cam model was the works’ frontline rally car, right through to 1981 when Ari Vatanen became World Rally Champion driving an Escort RS. In 1970 the Ford Twin Cam engine was replaced by a Cosworth BDA 16-valve unit to create the definitive Escort rally car, the RS1600, though the engine was, in fact, homologated at 1,601cc to enable future enlargement up to the 2-litre class capacity limit. Enlarged at first to 1.8 litres, with outputs varying between 205 and 220bhp depending on the type of event, the engine was first homologated as a 2.0-litre unit in 1972 and in works trim produced 235-240bhp. In this ultimate form the Escort RS1600 proved good enough to win the RAC Rally three times on the trot between 1972 and 1974 as well as a host of other World Championship events.
The first works Escort RS1600 rally car to be built by Ford’s Competitions Department at Boreham, ‘KHK 957J’ was driven by Roger Clarke on the 1970 RAC Rally in Daily Express livery of white and blue, and also was used by Timo Makinen on the Hanki Rally in 1971. The car was sold to Withers of Winsford in 1972 and campaigned thereafter by them. It subsequently resided in Portugal before relocating in the late 1990s to Italy where it was owned by Richard Martin Hurst and used on the 1995 London-to-Mexico and 1997 Panama-to-Alaska rallies. In more recent years the car competed in Italian historic tarmac events.
‘KHK 957J’ comes with current Swansea V5 registration document, fresh MoT certificate, RAC MSA Historic papers, FIA papers, FIVA passport, MSA logbook, fuel cell certificate and various in-period/subsequent photographs. Also included are copies of the minutes of the FIA Historic Cars Commission meeting of 24th January 1997 in Frankfurt, at which permission was given to re-shell the car after reinforcing modifications had rendered it no longer eligible for FIA papers.
Its rebuild having been sanctioned by the FIA, the car was re-shelled by Tony Devantier Autosport in late 1997/early 1998 into a left-hand drive, big winged, strengthened and seam-welded ’shell fitted with 6-point roll cage, vertical rear turrets, short-link (1970-specification) suspension and slipper springs. The ’shell itself was supplied by leading motorsport fabricators Gartrac, a firm whose experience of bodyshell fabrication for the MkI and MkII Escort rally cars dates back to the 1970s. Built by Geoff Richardson, the engine is an 1,800cc Ford Cosworth BDA incorporating steel crankshaft and ’rods, forged pistons, AX cast-iron block, L1 cams, Weber 45DCO carburettors, dry-sump lubrication, oil cooler and large-capacity radiator. Power is transmitted via a multi-plate clutch to the ZF bearbox and thence via a one-piece prop shaft to the Atlas rear axle boasting a 5.1:1 ratio, limited-slip differential and ¾ floating hubs. The suspension is Bilstein adjustable, while other noteworthy features include a high-ratio (quick) steering rack, ‘world’ cross member and engine mounts, and original Minilite magnesium wheels. Twin fuel pumps, heated screen, Aeroquip brake and fuel lines, battery master switch, reverse light, geared starter, lightweight sump guard, quick-lift jack, Perspex windows, and homologated lightweight boot and bonnet are all included in the generous specification.
The interior of the car is equipped with Sparco Evo seats and 5-point belts, Springlex steering wheel, adjustable pedal box, hydraulic fly-off handbrake, plumbed-in fire extinguishing system, Red Top battery, Peltor intercom, helmet nets and map lights. The works dashboard houses a Stack tachometer with limiter light, TDV competition loom and fuse/relay board, a full set of gauges for the driver and a Halda Twinmaster, clock and stop watches for the navigator.
Offered with the car is a spares package to include wheels, tyres, suspension dampers and springs, gearbox and many other parts (list available).