Ford Escort Mk1 Cosworth - 1972 - not RS2000, Mexico

Ford Escort Mk1 Cosworth

1972 Tax exempt Ford Escort Mk1.   Started life as a 1300XL however has been extensively modified into the beast you seen here.   Turbo charged YB engine. T5 Gearbox and Std LSD. the live axle has been replaced with double wishbone suspension and many other changes.

I bought the car broadly as is about 8 years ago. I had hoped to do more with it but money and time have meant I've barely used it in that time.   I would like to keep it but I have just moved house into a smaller garage and a foray into motorsport means this must go so I can focus on the autotesting my mini.  

The car isn't perfect. it has some issues. listed below but it has 12months MOT. 10month Tax starts on the button and pulls like a rocket train…

So we're clear. nobody will be driving this car apart from me. it's savagely quick.   I recommend and encourage people to spend as long as they like looking round the car and I'll demonstrate it upon request.   The car is available for viewing in Nottingham on weekends but I'm busy for Saturday's until the 17th November.

The spec broadly is as follows : -

Shell

1973 shell. the front bulkhead has been moved back to allow the engine to sit very far back. only cyl. 1 sits in front of the front axle.   Live axle has been removed and replaced with a spaceframe double wishbone arrangement. modelled on a Westfield.   The shell has been turreted and 4 linked however these aren't used now because of the space frame setup. the shell has a small amount of surface rust underneath but is solid. but would benefit from a bit of tidying.   The rear arches have had front arches grafted on which gives them a bit of flare and looks bang on in my opinion

Engine & Running Gear

2wd Cosworth YB Engine on 205 block with a T34 hybrid turbo. 3bar MAP sensor and WRC 3layer head gasket.   The head was rebuilt about 100miles ago including all new lifters.   It currently has a Stage 3 chip and 803 dark green injectors fitted. Gearbox and diff are both standard 2wd Cosworth. the fuel tank is in the boot with a lift pump and swirl pot.   Approx. 330bhp.

Suspension and Brakes

Front is running 2. 8i front legs with a coilover conversion and m16 calipers. the brand new quick rack has been fitted.   The rear has brand new GAZ coilovers and standard Cosworth rear brakes on custom fabricated rear uprights. a mechanical and hydraulic fly-off handbrakes are fitted. so no MOT problems.

Interior

The interior is totally stripped with only reclining bucket seats and race harnesses. the dash has been replaced with ally fabricated panel work and most electrical switches have been changed to toggle switches. there is a bolt-in roll-cage but this a homemade and wouldn't be suitable for competition.   Many of the gauges have been replaced. including the Speedo. rev counter and oil pressure gauge.

Problems

Unfortunately I forgot to do up the bonnet pins and I had the bonnet fly up. this has bent the mounts and twisted the back end of the bonnet. I think it could be easily bent back to shape however I'm not great at panel work so I'll leave that for the new owner.   The paint appears to have been put on a bit thick and it has cracked in some places. including on the rear panel where the car was nudged on the drive. however in general the paint is good.   The front wheels need alignment following the new steering rack.

The diff is noisy on the over-run. but was been like that for a while so will likely last a while longer.   The only advisories on the MOT are that 2 tyres have wear on the edge and slight play in a front wheel bearing (which has been sorted).

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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