Description

Fore sale: Ford Escort MK RS1600 rallycar from 1971

This original AVO Ford Escort MK1 RS1600, is bolt-off restored in 2022/2023 and built according Group 2 according to the FIA ​​homologation ‘number 1605’.

The preparation has been done to the last detail by Erwin Doctor Motorsport from the Netherlands and this beautiful RS1600 is ready for the coming rally-season and rally events.

Since the full rebuild of the engine, gearbox, rear-axle and brakes have run about 1.100 km from restauration. A smaller problems are found and repaired an became a very reliable rallycar today. The Escort has never been damaged and after every rally the rallycar has had a full service by Erwin Doctor Motorsport.

The car is now in “Gilbert Staepelaere” livery This Belgian topdriver won the competitive 1972 Ypres rally with a sistercar and put the RS1600 on the podium in the Benelux for the first time, where it belongs. This livery is unique and suits the car very well, but can also be removed if the new driver wants to apply his own livery.

This is a seriously fast rally car for the historic rally championship, but certainly also for the upcoming rally festivals such as ‘Goodwood’ and the ‘Eifel rally festival’. Fun guaranteed! A wide rear-wheel drive with the right year of construction guarantees prizes.

Engine:
2.0 BDA-alu engine
Dual 45 Weber carburetors
TLE exhaust system
Full dry sump system
3 Bolt exhaust manifold

Drivetrain:
ZF dog-leg 5 speed, short gearbox
AP clutch, twin discs
Quick release clutch housing
Single piece driveshaft
Atlas rear axle with ZF disc lock (4.6 ratio)
4 link (short) & watt-link

Brake system:
AP calipers all round with ventilated discs
Duall brake system
Hydraulic handbrake

Chassis:
UK registered
AVO Body
Left hand drive (LHD)
Heavy duty steering box (2.2 ratio)
Heavy duty steering column
RCX rear shocks
Bilstein front shocks
‘Gartrac’ front forks with aluminium hubs
Heated Windscreen
Aluminium fuel tank
Double dashboard
Lightweight wiring harness
Kevlar underbody protection
Mechanical Halda connection in left hub

Interior:
‘Works’ dashboard
Sparco rally seats and 6-point safety belts (from 2023)
Fire extinguishing system FIA
6-point roll cage (safety devices)

Tires and rims:
7 extra 7J and 8J ‘Minilite’ rims.
Over 20 pieces 13-inch rallytires in various compounds.

All components of the preparation are ‘Group 2’ homologated. Given the increasingly strict regulations in this regard, this will become very important to still be able to start in this historic rallyclass. The historic rallies have become so popular that rally organizations such as the ‘Hellendoornrally’ will select who is allowed to participate, given the abundance of registrations and limited starting places.

This RS1600 is the only rallying FIA rallycar in the Netherlands and is very popular, partly due to its originality and homologations, year of construction and appearance. FIA Group 2 build cars will therefore never lose their value and are becoming unique.

The car really has to be seen and then all the special preparation details in every part of the car can be made clear and insightful. No money was spared during the construction to make this car fully Group 2 and that is also reflected in the quality.

Incidentally, this also applies to the speed and controllability of this RS1600 because the car is seriously fast. The unique BDA engine can, if desired, be further tuned for the real rallytalents among us who want to push the boundaries, but is now set to ‘safe’ and ‘sustainability’.

From 0 to 100 km/h now? As a driver, I would say about 4.5 seconds while the gravel hits the wheel arches, you switch from 3rd to 4th at 8,000 rpm and you have already received 4 pace notes at high speed from your navigator through the intercom and the spectators are enjoying the howling sound of the BDA. Fun guaranteed and what an experience!

Without a lot of rally experience, this car is now also excellent to drive and the new owner will encounter thumbs up and enthusiastic fans everywhere. Real RS1600s will only become more valuable in the future, but just owning one will give you a smile for life!

Service, maintenance and advice can also be arranged.