1976 Ford Escort Mk II
A 1976 Ford Escort Mk II built to full rally specification, this car holds a special place in motorsport history as the machine in which World Rally Champion Colin McRae and co-driver Robert Reid won the 1990 Hackle Rally — an episode later documented in the biography 'McRae: Just Colin'. Retained within the McRae family circle since 1984, the car carries a comprehensively built competition shell, a rebuilt 2.4 Holbay engine, and a full suite of period-correct Group 4 components.
Ownership
- 2017-02-24Auction saleSold £36,000 (≈ $45K)
- 1984 →Acquisition unknownHugh 'Shuggs' Steelpartial documentation
Uncle of Colin McRae, Hugh Steel acquired and maintained the car from 1984. He nominally transferred it to his son in 2008 but retained physical custody for storage reasons.
- 2008 →InheritanceSon of Hugh Steelpartial documentation
The car was given to Hugh Steel's son in 2008, though it remained stored with Hugh Steel.
Competition
- 1990Hackle RallyDriver: Colin McRae1st overall
Co-driven by Robert Reid on a wet day; the win is recounted in the McRae biography. McRae famously loosened his harness at speed to see out of the co-driver's side window after his wiper lifted off the screen.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2011Engine rebuild
Full rebuild of the 2.4 Holbay engine, encompassing a replacement block, new pistons, a billet crankshaft, and porting and polishing of the cylinder head; a torque-biased Holbay camshaft was installed at the same time.
Original Holbay engine block (SR 48986) is supplied with the vehicle.
- —Restoration
Shell fully seam-welded on a gusseted chassis, fitted with a Safety Devices 14-point roll cage, sill protection, a 12-gallon alloy fuel tank on a reinforced platform, and all fluid lines routed internally. Comprehensive rally specification build including Panhard 5-link rear suspension with single-leaf slipper springs and Bilstein dampers, adjustable Bilstein coilover front suspension, AP 4-pot ventilated disc brakes, hydraulic handbrake, bespoke power steering, and OMP interior.
Extent of original build date is unspecified in the prose; described as built without compromise to full competition specification.
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