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Ford
Escort RS1600 - The Potent Mix
"Ford
Escort RS1600 - The Potent Mix". This was how Ford's
advertising campaign announced the Escort RS1600 to the
world in early 1970. A combination of Escort Twin Cam chassis
and running gear allied with Ford's newly developed Cosworth
sixteen-valve twin cam BDA (Belt Drive Type A) engine unit.
The announcement heralded the birth of what was to become,
along with its Mk11 descendant the RS1800, arguably the
most successful rally car of the 1970's.
The
RS1600's BDA engine unit was often described as a detuned
Formula 2 racing engine. The design was actually based on
Cosworth's very successful Formula 2 race unit, the FVA
(Four Valve Type A). In truth, the two units shared only
the design philosophy of the narrow-angle four valve per
cylinder layout, there being no actual common components.
Most significantly the expensive gear driven camshaft arrangement
of the FVA was replaced by a toothed belt drive for the
BDA. In it's basic form as fitted to the RS1600 the BDA
produced 115 PS DIN, sufficient to propel the car from 0 - 60
in about 8.5 seconds and provide a top speed of almost 115
m.p.h. Quite a performance for a modest family saloon in
the early 1970's.
Production
of the RS1600 began at Ford's Halewood assembly plant in
January 1970 with the first cars going on sale in April/May
of that year at a cost of £1447. Initial production cars
were essentially re-engined Twin Cam's and were only available
in White. Homologation of the RS1600 into Group 2 was achieved
in September 1970 on the basis of one thousand vehicles
having been constructed. In fact, best estimates suggest
that only around 1137 RS1600's were actually produced over
the vehicles entire five year production span to the end
of 1974. From November 1970 production was transferred to
Ford AVO's (Advanced Vehicle Operations) purpose built assembly
line at Aveley, South Okendon where it was joined by a new
model, the Escort Mexico. Two additional colours, Sunset
Red and Maize Yellow were also made available at this time
with further additions to follow at the end of 1971.
The
specification of the RS1600 changed only in detail throughout
it's production life, with one major exception. From October
1972 the original cast iron cylinder block, which was essentially
a standard production item, was replaced by a purpose made
light alloy component. This item was specifically designed
to allow engine capacities of up to two litres, which would
enable competition cars to remain fully competitive for many
years to come. RS1600 production was at it's peak throughout
1971 and 1972 with the numbers going into a gradual decline
during the following year. Once the RS2000 was introduced
in late 1973 very few RS1600's were sold as road cars. Only
a few dozen vehicles are believed to have been manufactured
in 1974, with production finally ending in November of that
year.
Due
to the versatility of the AVO production line a hole host
of performance and cosmetic options became available for
the cars including the Clubman Pack (a competition orientated
pack including uprated suspension and safety items) and
the Custom Pack (a luxury road pack including cloth trimmed
interior). Possibly the ultimate was Special Build, introduced
in 1972, which allowed many factory fitted performance items.
Indeed it was possibly to have virtually a full group 2
spec. rally car from the factory, although this would have
more than doubled the cost of what was already a very expensive
Escort.
The
whole purpose for the RS1600's existance was of course to
provide Ford with a competitive race/rally car, so it is
in this area that the car is most commonly remembered. Once
the cars reliability was established it went on to take
many international rally wins including the Thousand Lakes
in Finland, the Safari, Circuit of Ireland and three consecutive
outright wins on the Lombard RAC rally from 1972 to 1974.
Many famous drivers such as Roger Clark, Timo Makinen, Hannu
became synonymous with the little Escort. On the circuits
the lightweight RS1600 racers from the likes of BroadSpeed
and Zakspeed developed a giant killing reputation using
2 litre fuel injected versions of the BDA engine developing
up to 280 b.h.p.
With
the introduction of the re-styled Mk2 Escort in 1975 the RS1600
was replaced by the RS1800 which featured an enlarged version
of the RS1600's all alloy engine. As a road car this was even
rarer animal than it's predecessor, but in competition form
took over from where the RS1600 left off and remained a major
force in rallying right up to the end of the 70's. Ford then
withdrew the model which had became obsolete due to the introduction
of the new front wheel drive Escort.
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