Highlights
- Lotus Twin-Cam conversion
- Full race/rally specification
- Just 309 miles since restoration
- Desirable 2 door bodyshell
The Appeal
The Mk1 Escort has, over the decades, established itself as something of a legend as a race car – particularly in the rally scene. With its fine handling, rear-wheel drive platform and a wide range of options for power delivery, it’s little wonder it remains a popular choice for amateur and professional racers alike.
This particular example has been extensively restored and modified to create a race ready car that you could still use for the shopping run, depending on your level of dedication. With just over 300 miles covered since the project was finished, it’s the perfect car for anyone wanting to get into the world of classic rallying.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1969
- 7 owners from new
- Current owner since May 2022
- Restored and modified by the previous owner, who was an engineer
- Just 309 miles on the clock since the project was finished
- Current V5c present and correct
- Taken by the vendor in P/X for another vehicle, but not needed
- Historic vehicle status – tax and MOT exempt
The Interior
- Full race/rally specification
- Race seats and harnesses
- Welded and bolted full roll cage
The interior of this Escort has been comprehensively stripped out, ready for rally or circuit racing, although it remains fully road legal.
Motamec race buckets have been installed with full harnesses, the driver’s seat being adjustable and the passenger seat being fixed position. They look to be in fine condition, with no discernible wear and tear.
Also added by the previous owner is a full roll cage, OMP fire extinguisher system, quick release Alcantara steering wheel and a Powervamp Racing battery. The only issue we noted was that the pedal set looks to have been fabricated and may need to be replaced to pass race scrutineering.
Completing the motorsport vibes, the door cards have been replaced with aluminium panels with red fabric pulls, while a new centre console has been fashioned containing an array of gauges, cut-offs and switches. The main instruments have also been replaced, with the odometer now being a digital item.
The vendor informs us that everything works just as it should, with no problems or faults.
The Exterior
- Ermine White paintwork
- Good quality brightwork
- ‘Ultralite’ alloy wheels
We’re informed by the vendor that the previous owner spent 3 years restoring the car, with any corrosion cut out and new metal welded in, before the car was repainted. Other than a few minor dings, the bodywork presents in good overall condition. There are some runs in the paintwork to the front and rear panel, and the underside of the bonnet, but otherwise it all presents well.
The brightwork retains a fine lustre, with the split bumpers and bullet style mirrors looking particularly smart. All of the badging and other trim looks to be in fine fettle, with no damage to report. The same is true of the glass and light lenses, which all look well. At the front, the headlights have been upgraded to halogen units, while Aerocatch fasteners have been added to the bonnet for quick access. All of the side glass has been replaced with Perspex units, with the front windows featuring a ventilation slot and the rears having an in-built air ram.
Riding on ‘Ultralite’ 13-inch alloy wheels, shod with Nankang Sportnex tyres, it looks every inch the period rally car. The wheels are in excellent condition, while the tyres look to have good tread levels and the sidewalls appear to be in fine condition.
Underneath, the car looks to be in very good order, everything looking clean, straight and undamaged, with no notable signs of corrosion.
The Mechanics
- 1,558cc 4-cylinder Lotus Twin-Cam
- Rebuilt 4-speed transmission
- Rebuilt limited slip differential
- Boot mounted rally fuel tank and pump
That iconic Lotus Twin-Cam is a peach of an engine – all steel and race tuned with twin Weber carburettors. The vendor tells us that it has been rebuilt and offers up 165bhp. Also improved are the brakes, with 4-pot Wilwood callipers installed at the front and uprated 9-inch drums at the rear, along with a brake bias switch.
At the back, Lotus Cortina single leaf springs and GAZ shocks have been fitted to improve handling, while coilovers take care of the damping at the front. In fact, the vendor tells us that all the mechanical elements of the car, as well as the ancillaries, have been replaced or refreshed during the restoration process.
As a result, we’re assured that the car drives very well, with a crisp exhaust note, fine responses and no leaks or smoke.
Summary
If you want a rally car, you buy an Escort. That has long been the mantra for many motorsport fans, and it’s easy to see why when you look at how well they perform.
With that iconic Lotus Twin-Cam installed and a number of motorsport modifications, this would be the perfect base for anyone wanting to get started in motor racing. Alternatively, it would make one heck of an interesting daily driver for the truly committed…
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