1975 FIA Group 2 Ford Escort BDG Zakspeed Replica

Although a Formula One constructor from 1985-89, Zakspeed is better known for its FIA Group 2 Escorts and its Group 5 Capris. They did, however, enter seventy-four Grand Prix and were unique at one stage producing an F1 car with their own chassis and engine; only Ferrari had the same in-house facility. Founded by Erich Zakowski in 1968, they were actively involved in many forms of motorsport and employed many well-known drivers - Klaus Ludwig, Manfred Winkelhock, Jonathan Palmer, Martin Brundle and Bernd Schneider all drove Zakspeeds from F1 to Touring Cars.

Built and prepared by Mark Wright Motorsport, this FIA Escort BDG is well regarded and accepted as a fully developed front running historic racer. It is engineered and finished to a very high standard in its re-created form as the famous Europa-Mobel Zakspeed Escort with full MSA and HTP papers.The specification includes an all-alloy Ford 2.0 BDG with custom profile cams, full race-spec head, steel bottom end, dry sump, Weber 50 carburettors, tubular manifold and a race exhaust system. Built by Tracksport, the gearbox is a five-speed Type 9 incorporating special roller bearings and straight cut gears and the rear axle has a special fully floating 4.4 gripper type differential. The front suspension is fully rose-jointed with coil-over damping, alloy hubs and adjustable top mounts. The rear suspension is a four linkage set up 'A' frame with top links and inboard coil-overs. It has 'Monte Carlo' discs all round with a biased pedal box and the car sits on split rim 15'' Compomotives, 10"inch fronts and 13'' rears, wearing Avon slicks. It's fitted with a new moulded front spoiler and the car is supplied with a spare and the original mould to deal with the inevitable. The rebuild, in preparation for the 2016 season has now been completed and included the engine, alloy gearbox, back axle and the shock-absorbers. The seat, belts and fire extinguisher are all in date and ready for the season. The vendor is happy to provide detailed engineering information and offer advice on set-ups.

This Escort holds numerous lap records, fastest laps and has been piloted to a number of overall race wins powered by its very reliable, John Smirthwaite built, 265bhp Ford BDG. The car is a Masters Historic Grp2 Championship winner, HSCC Supertourers class winner and finished a very close third in the closed wheel HSCC support race to the Spa 6 Hours last year.

This is possibly the fastest Group 2 Escort available today, and having just had a 2016 'turn key' refresh, this proven racer represents a great opportunity, for a realistic budget, to clamber onto the top step of the podium at a number of prestigious Historic Saloon Car events.