"The original Ford Escort was introduced at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1968 and soon became a commercial success as an attractive small family saloon. Ford had, for a number of years, used active participation in motor sport as a means of getting their showroom doors swinging on a Monday morning and the new Escort was to prove no exception. Popular at club level in every discipline of the sport, it was at international level that the name 'Escort' became synonymous with winning. 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 driven by Finnish legend, Hannu Mikkola. This result and the ensuing acclaim prompted Ford to produce the famous Escort Mexico (1.6 L 'Kent'-engine) road version in honour of the rally car. One step up from the Mexico, the Escort 'RS1600' was developed using an engine that was essentially a detuned Formula 3 unit designated BDA (Belt Drive 'A' Series). Both the Mexico and RS1600 were built simultaneously at the now famous Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) facility located at the Aveley Plant in South Essex. As well as higher performance engines and sports suspension, these models featured strengthened bodyshells, making them ideal for rallying. Even today, Mk. I Escorts are still very popular in the Historic Rally scene with their reputation for a great balance of power and handling, making them true driver's cars. The BDA engine emits a distinctive and appealing 'growl', which can be heard for quite a distance when the vehicle is being driven hard. Estimates suggest that only around 1,137 RS1600s were produced in total.First registered on 19th September 1972 and presented in Ermine white, this Ford Escort RS1600 has been fabulously prepared for both endurance and historic rallying. Wearing an RS1600 AVO body plate, this example is supplied with its original V5C registration document confirming that it is indeed a genuine RS1600. The car was initially prepared for the 1993 Lombard London to Sydney Marathon in which 106 teams competed in the 25th anniversary re-run of the 16,000km classic rally. Many of the drivers from the 1968 event were persuaded to return and even some of the original cars participated. The entry fee alone was £12,900! The car has since been driven in the 2008 Classic Marathon and many other stage rallies.The bodyshell was fitted with steel arches, Ford Motorsport plates and gussets, along with a Safety Devices bolt-in roll cage with door bars. The powerplant is a two litre Field Motorsport BDG (to Gwyndaf Evans specification) reputed to cost £30,000 to build and has since only covered just 1,000 road miles. Mated to the engine is a ZF gearbox with an AP Racing twin-plate clutch and ZF LSD 5:1 differential - offering a rapid departure from the start line. The brakes are AP Monte Carlo on both front and rear with a brake bias adjuster fitted. Fully adjustable GAZ coil-over dampers are fitted, along with adjustable track control arms and a quick rack. A long-distance fuel tank with dash gauge is fitted with twin facet fuel pumps. The interior features the '93 London to Sydney Corbeau seats, Luke harnesses, Stilo Intercoms, a retro trip-meter and a plumbed-in fire extinguisher. All prospective buyers should satisfy themselves as to the currency and legality of all the safety-related equipment.Supplied with its old MSA log book, a previous FIA historic regularity rally car pass and its UK V5C, this RS1600 is a competitive car and an ideal entry into the world of Historic Rallying.Genuine RS1600 BFAT Original AVO Shell (Still find the original Le Mans green) Long distance Endurance set upSteel ArchedDead LocksFord Motorsport plates & gussetsZF Box (Noddy) O/D 5thTwin plate A/P basket clutch1975cc Tommy Field BDG Historic (Gwyndaf Evans specification)Prepfab exhaustSafety Devices Built-in cage4 link Turreted, Slipper springs 160lbsBaby Atlas single bearingDiff 5:1 with ZF LSDAP Monte Carlo Front & Rear brakesHD Hand brakeBrake BiasAeroquipped GAZ coil-over fully adjustable dampers Group 4 Hubs Adjustable TCA’s Quick rack WCX member Polly bushed Perspex side & rear glassWorks DashOriginal 1993 London to Sydney Corbeau SeatsLong range fuel tank with dash fuel gauge (No sight tube)Twin Facet fuel pumpPlumbed in fire extinguisher"