1972 Ford Escort RS1600 MK1 Historic Rally Car

• The RS1600 utilised the BDA engine, essentially a detuned Formula 3 unit
• Featuring strengthened Type 49 body shells, only 1,137 RS1600s were ever produced
• Apparently campaigned by Minilite Wheels in the East Africa Safari Rally
• Taken part in eight Monte Carlo Rally Historique with a top 20 place in 2019

Shell; Fully seam welded, full FIA roll-cage, works metal bubble arches, suspension tunnels strengthened, widened gearbox tunnel, fuel tank 75 Ltrs, remote oil tank in boot, works fuel filler, Safari window holders on rear straps to hold, Safari rear bumper with footsteps, Safari quarter-window vents, fuel, brake and oil lines inside car (2016). Shell was restored and resprayed Monza Blue in 2014 with new outer seals.

Running gear, suspension, steering and brakes, all parts replaced to original spec. Any replacement parts were original Group 4. The Diff is an Atlas with extended rear plate for cooling-Safari (new 2019), inner and outer bearings larger (new 2019), shafts and hubs Group 4 (new 2018), prop shaft strengthened, rear brakes M16 wider than standard RS1600 (full rebuild & shoes replaced 2019), suspension leaf springs upgraded (new 2017), shocks (new 2018), diff protection plate, front springs upgraded for Safari (new 2016), front shocks (new 2018), Group 4 hubs (new 2017), two-pot brake calipers (new 2017), vented discs (new 2017), Group 4 bearings(new 2019), Group 4 cross-member strengthened, original Group 4 rose-joints (new 2017), quick steering rack, Safari engine and gearbox protection.

Engine; BDG 2.0-litre complete rebuild 2019, high-pressure oil pump new 2019, complete new group 4 gasket set, Rally manifold new in 2017, all pulleys, tensioners and belts new 2019, 90amp alternator new 2018, electric fan two speed, Safari radiator aluminium new 2017, Gearbox T9 -5 speed upgraded to rally spec rebuilt 2018.

Interior; Complete rally-spec wiring harness, 4-point harnesses, Sparco rally seats Pro-2000, Safari leather original storage, Safari side-mounted storage, battery behind navigator seat, navigator footrest, window wash inside, hydraulic handbrake, rear net, flocked dash, extra oil pressure gauge, extra water temp gauge, fuel mix ratio gauge, four wheel sensors two per side for rally computer installed, navigator lights, LED lights inside, LED under bonnet lights and so much more.

This remarkable 1972 RS1600 is turn-key and ready to compete. We would be inclined to investigate its history a little further and you never know what you will find. Anyway, with this specification and in this condition, it seems remarkable value.