1978 Ford Escort Mk II Rally Car

For sale by auction on Saturday 06 June 2015 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
The squarer-styled Escort Mk. II appeared in January 1975 with
the first production models having rolled off the production lines
on 2nd December 1974. Unlike the first Escort (which was developed
by Ford of Britain). the second generation was developed jointly
between the UK and Ford of Germany. Codenamed 'Brenda' during its
development. it had the same mechanical configuration as its
predecessor; the estate and van versions even used the same
panel-work as the Mk. I but with the Mk. II front end and interior.
The car used a revised underbody which had. in fact. been
introduced as a running change during the last six months of the
life of the Mk. I. The car was a success with just four body styles
competing in a variation of market niches where rival manufacturers
had multiple models. The 'L' and 'GL' models were mainly purchased
by the private sector; the 'Sport'. 'RS Mexico' and 'RS2000' in the
performance market; the 'Ghia' for an untapped small car luxury
sector and 'base' models for the fleet market. The Escort continued
to prove hugely popular with buyers in Britain during the second
half of the 1970s. but production slowed and after an incredibly
popular model run. ended in Britain in August 1980 with other
countries following soon after.

Originally registered on 3rd January 1978 as an
Escort Mexico. this Mk. II Escort has been heavily modified with
substantial time and finances invested by the vendor throughout his
18-year ownership. The engine is a Cosworth steel block mated to a
Warrior 16 valve cylinder head; the gearbox. a five-speed
sequential change unit and the rear axle with limited slip
differential makes this a very competitive rally car. Mechanical
work on the engine has been carried out by Connaught. who
specialise in competition engines and. in line with this. the
interior is fitted with a roll-cage and Corbeau racing seats
together with the correct instrumentations for competition use.
Fuel injection has also been fitted to this outstanding vehicle
with the car being Dyno tested at 293bhp. The fastidious owner has
enjoyed the use of XAT 50S immensely and any interested parties are
advised to view the vehicle to fully appreciate the specification
and quality of this competition Escort. Supplied with a V5
registration document. together with a full year's MoT test
certificate and RAC 'Competition Car Log Book' (issued
28th August 1996).

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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