From The Classifieds: 1979 Ford Escort RS
A Perth-based enthusiast built this period-perfect Escort RS to compete in the Targa Tasmania, but became so enarmoured he couldn’t bear to risk it in competition.Ford’s Escort small car may not have set local new-car sales afire during its Australian market tenancy between 1970 and 1981, but there were certain models that, in the unforgiving world of motor sport, captured a lot of attention.
One of which was the Mark II RS2000.
Following the international rally and racetrack successes of earlier, Mark I Escorts, including the 1.6-litre Twin Cam and RS1600, the Mark II RS2000 was introduced locally in 1978 as a two-litre two-door, followed by a supplementary, unique-to-Australia four-door version a year later.
Though not as feral as German-built RS2000s competing in all sorts of motorsports around the globe, the Australian RS2000 was nevertheless quite a handy performer for its time.
Using the mildly-tuned 70kW/148Nm 2.0-litre engine (lifted from the Ford Cortina), it reached 100km/h from a standstill in around 11.5sec and covered the standing quarter mile (about 400 metres) in less than 18sec.
As part of the company’s drive to compete in the small-car segment the Australian RS2000, along with other Escort models, was assembled at Ford’s Homebush plant in NSW.
The original Escort, which launched in Australia in 1970, was a British development but the second-generation model was the work of Ford of Britain and Ford of Germany.
Like the first Escort, the squared-off Mark II seemed to have just the right stuff to continue the model’s earlier, Mark I rally successes. Indeed, the Mark II Escort basked in a string of victories after its European launch in 1975.
Hannu Mikkola and Arne Hertz won the 1979 Lombard RAC rally, making it eight successive victories for the Ford Escort at the event. That year, 1979, Ford works drivers Bjorn Waldegard and Hannu Mikkola were first and second in the World Driver’s championship as well as Ford winning the Constructor’s championships. These were powered by BDA Twin cam 16-valve engines that at their peak produced 201kW (BDA= Belt Drive Series A).
With this sort of competition history behind it, there’s little wonder that the Escort holds a special place in the hearts of those who witnessed it on and off the track.
And that’s why a Perth-based enthusiast put his heart and soul into developing a Mk II RS Escort that would not only capture the feelings of the times, but would also replicate the rally version of the car, in competition form, right down to the smallest details.
The superb 1979 Escort RS currently on sale through carsales.com.au for $85,000 is a painstakingly-built car that was originally intended to be raced in Targa Tasmania.
The owner best describes what happened when the project came together: “Once finished, I became precious. So it has never seen competition/track day/hill climb. The kilometres (have been acquired) driving to/from shows, and a monthly outing just to keep everything moving.”
In other words, the magnificent Escort RS is basically a brand-new, unsullied car that is pretty much as a rally-prepared RS would have come out of the workshop in the late 1970s.
The owner says it was built to original GRP4 specs which means that, among many other things, it has been seam welded, fitted with a six-point cage and large differential and gearbox tunnels. During the build, the owner had access to an original Suttons car which helped ensure it maintained correct period specifications.
The owner says the 161kW engine was professionally built with forged Mahle pistons, heavy duty race bearings, a dowelled, lightened flywheel, a fully balanced bottom end, a high-torque race cam, a high volume oil pump, Bosch electronic ignition, twin 45 DCOE Webers and a Targa-spec heavy duty clutch.
The gearbox is a straight-cut Tremec four-speed, while the brakes are vented, grooved discs at the front and vented discs at the rear, working through braided hoses and a dash-adjusted bias pedal box.
Both front and rear suspensions have been given the full workover, of particular note being the use of a genuine GRP4 Panhard rod.
The exterior is a replica of the 1980 original and includes correct Carrello spotlight covers, and a painstakingly accurate paint job.
The RS has been CAMS inspected and is registered as a dedicated rally car with a West Australian roadworthy certificate.
The owner will also make available replica helmets and clothing, as well as “plenty” of Escort spares that are ready to be sold at a negotiated price.
We’re off to buy a lotto ticket…
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