1972 Ford Escort Mk 1 RS1600
A genuine 1972 Ford Escort RS1600, first registered in September of that year, built to endurance-rally specification. Prepared for the 1993 Lombard London to Sydney Marathon and subsequently campaigned on the 2008 Classic Marathon and various stage rallies. The car carries a Field Motorsport 2.0-litre BDG engine built to Gwyndaf Evans specification, a ZF gearbox, AP Racing brakes and clutch, GAZ coil-overs, and a Safety Devices roll cage. It retains its original V5 and an AVO body plate confirming its RS1600 identity.
Ownership
- 2019-02-23Auction saleEstimate £50,000 – £60,000
- 1972-09-19 →Factory deliveryUnknown first ownerpartial documentation
Car was first registered on 19 September 1972 as a genuine RS1600; original V5 survives and accompanies the car.
- Date unknownUnknown owner who prepared for 1993 rallypartial documentation
This owner had the car prepared for the 1993 Lombard London to Sydney Marathon, including full bodyshell modifications, roll cage fitment, and period-correct interior equipment.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Vendor drove the car on the 2008 Classic Marathon and other stage rallies; the Field Motorsport BDG engine has accumulated approximately 1,000 miles since its build.
Competition
- 19931993 Lombard London to Sydney Marathon
25th-anniversary re-run of the original 1968 event over roughly 16,000 km; 106 teams entered. Entry fee was £12,900. Several original 1968 drivers and cars also participated.
- 20082008 Classic Marathon
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Bodyshell fitted with steel arches, Ford Motorsport reinforcement plates and gussets, and a Safety Devices bolt-in roll cage with door bars; exterior finished in Ford Ermine White.
Work carried out in preparation for the 1993 Lombard London to Sydney Marathon.
- —Engine rebuildField Motorsport
2.0-litre BDG engine assembled by Field Motorsport to a specification attributed to Gwyndaf Evans, reportedly costing £30,000 to build; has covered approximately 1,000 miles since completion.
- —Mechanical
ZF gearbox, AP Racing twin-plate clutch, ZF LSD 5:1 differential, AP Monte Carlo brakes front and rear with bias adjuster, fully adjustable GAZ coil-over dampers, adjustable track control arms, and quick rack all fitted. Long-range fuel tank with dash gauge and twin Facet fuel pumps also installed.
- —Maintenance
Interior equipped with Corbeau seats from the 1993 London to Sydney event, Luke harnesses, Stilo intercoms, a retro tripmeter, and a plumbed-in fire extinguisher.
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