1973 FORD ESCORT RS1600 'XPU 216L' WORKS RALLY CAR - EX-SAFARI, RAC AND WORLD CUP VETERAN

XPU 216L was completed by the Ford Boreham Competition Department in April 1973 in preparation for that year's International Safari Rally (the fourth round of the '73 World Rally Championship). Ford were preparing the car for reigning British Rally Champion and future World Champion, Roger Clark. Clark would lead the grueling rally overall for some time until a cracked exhaust manifold and eventually a failing alternator led to his retirement.

Next up for 1973, XPU was entered into the International Scottish Rally for Tony Pond, coming home a strong 7th behind greats including Roger Clark and Hannu Mikkola.

The final rally of 1973 for XPU was the Daily Mirror International RAC Rally, where future double British Rally Champion Russell Brooks would slip off the road to a non-finish while running in the leading group.

XPU's final International Rally was the 1974 London–Sahara–Munich World Cup Rally. Andrew Cowan would come home in 15th place, resplendent in the 'White Horse Whisky' livery.

The car is extremely rare in that it retains its original Ford Competition Dept Works shell, and would be a fabulous addition to any Ford or Rally collection.