1973 FORD ESCORT (MK1) GROUP 4 TWIN CAM REPLICA

KEY FACTS

• A wonderful retro racing car; the result of a ground-up rebuild to Group 4 appearance with an uprated contemporary twin-cam engine, along with a bespoke suspension and braking setup.
• It is powered by a 2.4-litre DOHC 16-valve ‘silver top’ Ford Zetec engine, driven through the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
• With just 24 miles on the engine since the build, it is now ready for running-in prior to enthusiastic use on the road or in competition.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• While it has been built with competition in mind, this is a road-legal Escort with registration plates. It would make a terrific hill climb, sprint, or track day car, capable of driving to the event, competing, and driving home again afterwards.
• Its nut-and-bolt rebuild to racing specifications was based on an original Escort 1100 L that was first registered in February 1972.
• The car is understood to retain its original body shell, which has been modified with steel Group 4 flared wheel arches. It was sandblasted and taken back to bare metal, before having any necessary repair work and then repainted inside and out.
• Its bonnet is latched with quick-release style fastening pins, while at the rear there are spring fasteners on the boot lid.
• The car rides on a set of silver 15-inch Compomotive ML wheels, shod in Dunlop SP Sport tyres.
• Its engine is a race-tuned 2.4-litre Zetec motor, bored out from an original 2.0-litre block, featuring teflon-coated pistons, a reworked head with bigger inlet valves, and high-lift cams; as well as Cosworth con-rod bolts, a lightweight flywheel, and a Retroford water rail, sump and pick-up pipe. It is fed by a pair of Weber 48 DCOE side-draught carburettors, and has a new Retroford exhaust and manifold.
• A rally-derived ‘World Cup’ heavy duty engine crossmember is installed, and a new bespoke wiring loom has been fitted.
• The cooling system has been upgraded with an aluminium radiator, while the fuel system features an aluminium tank, high-performance Facet Gold-Flo electric fuel pump, and all-new fuel lines. Competition-grade Wilwood brake discs are fitted at the front, and all of the brake lines have also been renewed.
• The transmission is a TVR item, which is coupled to a brand-new limited-slip differential and competition half shafts. The suspension is a fully adjustable setup using Leda components.
• The cabin has been completely stripped out, although the original dashboard shell and vinyl trim is still present, fitted with a set of Smiths instrument gauges.
• An MSA/FIA homologated Safety Devices six-point roll cage with diagonal door bars has been installed, and there are lightweight cable releases for the door catches.
• A pair of Sparco Sprint L racing bucket seats has been installed, along with four-point Sparco safety harnesses.

CONDITION

• The Group 4 style body shell is in superb condition, with good shut lines, and gives the car a true sporting stance with the flared steel wheel arches.
• There are only a few minor blemishes in the paintwork, which are shown in the media gallery, but it generally presents very well indeed. The side windows are perspex items with slide openings.
• Inside, the cabin is largely stripped out, but the new Sparco seats are in excellent condition. The dashboard and instruments show some time-earned ‘patina’, while there is a simple metal panel housing the most important switches and fuses, including the master cut-off.
• There are no known electrical faults.

SUMMARY

This Ford Escort Mk1 was born as a humble family car, but has been reborn as an exciting historic racing car. It is presented in superb cosmetic and mechanical condition, and would benefit from some shakedown mileage on the engine before any competitive events. An appropriate entrant for numerous events, this Group 4 Twin Cam replica is a great retro classic that is ready to thrill its next owner.

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All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.