1969 Ford Escort Group 4 Rally Car
A purpose-built Historic Group 4 Ford Escort Mk1 constructed from a period bodyshell and its original logbook, comprehensively engineered to Type 49 tarmac specification. The shell was stripped and rebuilt with full structural reinforcement, a T45 TIG-welded roll cage, and finished in Olympic Blue. Power comes from a professionally assembled 2.23-litre Pinto producing 200bhp, paired with a Quaife Type-9 straight-cut gearbox. Total parts and materials expenditure exceeded £60,000.
Ownership
- 2026-02-20Auction saleSold £39,000 (≈ $49K)
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Period Mk1 Escort bodyshell stripped and fully rebuilt to Historic Group 4 Type 49 tarmac specification, including structural reinforcement, butt- and stitch-welded chassis rails, turreted rear shock mounts, double bulkhead plating, full-length sill plates, and professional interior and exterior finishing in Olympic Blue. A T45 TIG-welded Custom Cages historic roll cage with weld-test certification was fitted. Parts cost for the shell alone exceeded £24,000, with total build expenditure surpassing £60,000 in parts and materials.
Heated laminated front screen and 4mm anti-scratch polycarbonate side windows installed as part of the shell build.
- —Mechanical
Complete suspension and brake system fitted: front end equipped with adjustable Bilstein struts, Group 4 hubs, Rix heavy-duty Group 4 crossmember, 2.4 steering rack, and adjustable track control arms. Rear built around a historic FF Atlas axle with Bilstein turreted dampers, slipper kit, leaf springs, and associated hardware. Braking system comprises a Monte Carlo front brake assembly, AP2577 rear calipers, and a hydraulic handbrake.
- —Engine rebuild
Professionally assembled 2.23-litre Pinto engine built using an IK Engineering bottom end, big-valve head, RL31 camshafts, ARP and Motorsport gaskets, Kent vernier wheel, twin 45DCOE carburettors with linkage and manifold, Group 4 alternator, Titan dry sump system, Tony Law exhaust manifold and system, dual red-top fuel pumps, and associated fuel components. Dyno-tested output recorded at 200bhp at the flywheel, with the graph retained on file.
Drive transmitted via a new Quaife Type-9 straight-cut gearbox with an AP motorsport clutch.
- —Maintenance
Interior and electrical fit-out completed, including a lightweight wiring loom, period instrument panel, centre console and switchgear, tripmeter and telemetry, updated lighting, Motordrive seats, five-point harnesses, foot-plates, a 4kg Lifeline built-in fire suppression system, a 2.5kg hand-held extinguisher, new bumpers and brackets, NOS door handles, and Revolution 8x13 Group 4 wheels fitted with P7 Corsa D5 compound tyres.
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