‧Desirable Twin Cam Model

‧Period competition history
∙Placed 5th overall in 1968 RAC of Great Britain

‧Photographic record

The Ford Escort was introduced to the United Kingdom in 1967 as a replacement to the ageing Ford Anglia and production of this vehicle continued in the UK and Europe for 33 years, until the year 2000. In that period, this small family car reached a staggering 4.1 million sold units, with two million being produced in the first 7 years. 

Advertised as ‘’The small car that isn't’’ this affordable, attractive road car was also a hit in the race and rally world thanks to its rear wheel drive set up and choice of sporty engines. 

There were several petrol options available when purchasing an Escort and the earliest performance driven version, unleashed at the beginning of 1968, was the “Twin Cam” powered by the legendary 1558cc Lotus Twin Cam engine. This naturally aspirated engine was made for Group 2 international rallying. It had an engine with a Lotus-made eight-valve twin camshaft, cross-flow head, fitted to the 1500cc non-crossflow block, which had a bigger bore than usual to give the eventual 1558cc capacity; matched with a pair of Weber Twin 40 carburettors. This was the natural successor to the Mk1 & Mk2 Lotus Cortinas.

The Mark I Escorts became successful as a rally car, and they eventually went on to become one of the most successful rally cars of all time. The Ford works team was practically unbeatable in the late 1960s / early 1970s, and arguably the Escort's greatest victory was in the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally. 

 

This is one of approximately 883 Twin Cams built and the build code on the car confirms that it rolled out of the Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations site at Aveley in June 1968 from whence it was immediately transported to Hendy-Lennox in Bournemouth, who already had a customer waiting for it. That customer was Bruce Wilkinson who immediately had it shipped to Nicklens Garage in Fordham, who took it apart and then put it back together in full rally trim, using copious amounts of hardware available from Ford’s Boreham Competitions Department (source Performance Ford June1992).  This car has always been a rally car, it competed in many period events, and also more latterly, with its most notable accolade being its 5th overall in the 1968 RAC Rally of Great Britain. The highest placed Ford that year.

Pictured is a copy of an album included with the vehicle which has photographic evidence of the car competing in this period. Furthermore, before returning to the UK in 2015 the Escort was raced and rallied in Sweden by Kjell Wallin who is a well known competitor and Lotus engine builder in the Nordic Regions.  

It now resides in a quiet village in Somerset, where it has been enjoyed, but not used like it once was. 

 

Some paperwork is present, which isn't surprising given its primary purpose in life meant parts got replaced as and when needed. 

Included however, are a green logbook dated 1971 as well as present V5c, various MOT certificates dating back to 2003, original photos from its rallying days and original letters from the 1969 RAC Rally of Great Britain Co Driver Robin Maclachlan. 

In addition, and included within the sale is a copy of the in period (1968) RAC Appendix J “recognition” papers together with a copy of the cars Swedish FIA Historic Technical Passport which expired in 2016. This passport was valid from 28/12/2010 for Rally, Hill Climb and Racing. These FIA papers confirm that the car was built in accordance with Appendix K regulations covering period G1-1966-1969, FIA Class CT13 under the category of :Competition Touring Car. 

 

Overall this Mark I Escort is in good condition, in the 53 years this car has existed it has experienced some not so typical usage, which means the body shell isn't original, in fact there may well have been a number of replacements given that the car suffered it first “roll” in September 1968.

However, its current condition shows only a few signs of its previous antics. The main things we noted are a crack on the rear bumper, with paint wearing away on the bottom edge too. There’s also some wear/bubbling around the lower section of the front arches and front doors and another scratch on the drivers wing. 

The chrome bumpers, badges and trim are in fair order, there’s a little oxidation mainly to the rear area. Leather boot straps also appear to be in perfect working order.

Underneath, there's your usual signs of wear but everything looks adequate.

The car sits on modern minilite replicas, all in good condition. The tyres are four years old with very little wear. 

 

The trim on the door cards are all that remains of the road car that would have left the factory, otherwise everything else has been adapted and removed in the pursuit of being the fastest. Bucket seats feature 6 point harnesses; both would need to be renewed if the car went on to continue to rally. 

Also present are a homologated dual cowl dash panel, additional non-standard switchgear to allow engine and fuel to be cut quickly in case of emergency and a fully plumbed-in fire extinguisher system.  All lines run inside the car. In addition, the car has a built in helmet intercom system.

The original mounted oil pressure and water temp gauge have been disconnected with more accurate aftermarket gauges installed to a bespoke centre mourning bracket. 

Remember, this was a fully functional rally car! 

 

The Twin Cam started on command and sounded exceptional, ready for battle if it ever were to get the chance again. The engine bay looks clean, tidy and free from any obvious issues. 

The current owner has been advised that the engine has an all steel bottom end, competition cam shafts, shortened valve guides and currently runs on period correct weber twin 40’s with the widest internal chokes possible.  This produces peak power allegedly in the order of 150bhp but does mean that, the engine burns some oil due to the shortened guides, very little power/torque is developed below 3000 rpm. The owner has made us aware that the front strut top mount strengthening plates have been replaced with handmade items at some point, as well as further strengthening brackets being welded in between the lower front bulkhead and chassis rails. This latter addition being a standard variation and period correct.

Some work has been carried out by the current owner, this includes; 

‧Rear wheel cylinders replaced 

‧Regular Oil changes 

‧Indicator stalk replaced 

‧All rubber petrol lines replaced within last month.

‧The rear suspension is turreted, has the benefit of Bilstein shock absorbers, with no anti tramp bars. This was the previous owner’s preferred setup albeit the anti tramp bars and a panhard rod are included with the sale.

Here is some additional information from the current owner regarding the mechanics. Good oil pressure when running and at idle. 

‧Standard rocket 3 rail gearbox with lightweight alloy bell housing 

‧English axle with 4.1:1 LSD 

‧Standard brakes but with rally pads/shoes 

‧No servo 

‧Braided steel lines throughout 

‧Turreted rear suspension 

‧No anti tramp bars 

‧Double width roll-bar mounts 

‧Full Roll cage 

‧Lightweight racing alternator 

‧Sump guard 

‧World cup cross member 

‧Alternative, longer, homologated gear lever

‧Homologated 7-inch round headlights 

‧Rear perspex window 

‧Glass fibre bonnet 

 ∙ Red top gel racing battery 

‧Rear firewall

‧Foam filled fuel tank 

‧Twin facet pumps

‧In-line petrol filters. 

In addition to the above the car will be supplied with the following items upon sale, assuming the reserve is met:

 

The Mark 1 Escort has to be one of the most exceptional cars of the past 100 years both visually and mechanically. Petrol heads across the globe would all have one in the garage if money was no object.

This isn't a refurbished Escort made to look like a rally car, this is a rally car and while it does have some battle scars the overall condition both body and mechanical is more than acceptable. 

As a minimum out of date items will need to be replaced if the desire is to get it back conquering terrains across the globe but you will have an incredible foundation from which to start from.

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