Ford Escort Mk1 Race Car

Ford Escort Mk1 Race Car

Ford Escort 1300 GT – FIA HTP – Period G2 – Road Registered

A beautifully prepared Ford Escort 1300cc historic competition car, built specifically for circuit racing and presented with an FIA Historic Technical Passport (HTP).

The car combines a highly developed 1300 cc engine with competition suspension, brakes, limited-slip differential, period-correct four-link and Watts linkage rear suspension, competition gearbox and a fully stripped and caged bodyshell.

The car is accompanied by an FIA HTP issued by AKK, identifying the car as a Ford Escort 1300 GT in Period G2, FIA Class CT17, with FIA Identity No. 42744.

Engine – 1,300 cc

The 1300 cc engine has been built with a comprehensive competition specification:

- 711M block & original crankshaft
- 81.00 mm VW pistons
- Homologated longer steel connecting rods
- “Mauri Virtanen” camshaft
- Bosch distributor with Lumenition electronic ignition
- Twin Cam sump
- Standard oil pump
- 39 mm inlet valves
- 36 mm exhaust valves
- Cat Cams valve springs with auxiliary springs, 40/110
- Steel valve gear
- Dell’Orto DRLA 40 carburettors
- Upright intake manifold

Dyno-tested output:

- 134.7 hp
- 158 Nm
- Maximum recorded engine speed: 7,922 rpm

A dyno graph is available with the car.

Transmission
Markku Lampola competition gearbox

- Type E2000
- Heavy-duty competition clutch
- Steel flywheel

Rear axle:

- 4.7:1 final drive
- Limited-slip differential
- Karpiola driveshafts

Suspension & brakes
The car has been extensively developed for circuit racing.

Front axle:

- Urethane bushes
- Reinforced lower wishbone longitudinal supports
- Specially fabricated anti-roll bar
- 240 mm ventilated brakes
- Bigem adjustable dampers
- Coilover springs
- Bearing-mounted top mounts

Rear axle:

- 254 mm homologated disc brakes
- FIA-approved Alfa Romeo brake callipers
- Period-regulation-compliant four-link suspension
- Watts linkage
- Bigem adjustable dampers
- Coilover springs
- Limited-slip differential, 4.7 ratio

Lightweight competition body
The bodyshell has been comprehensively prepared for racing and fitted with:

- Fibreglass bonnet
- Fibreglass boot lid
- Fibreglass bubble wheel arches
- Full roll cage
- Lightweight stripped interior
- Competition fuel tank

The underside is particularly clean and well presented, with the suspension, braking and drivetrain installation clearly visible.

Competition interior
The cabin has been stripped and purpose-built for historic racing, including:

- Full roll cage
- OMP/atech racing seat
- Multi-point racing harness
- Competition steering wheel
- Competition instrumentation
- Period-style Escort dashboard
- Lightweight door panels
- Motorsport electrical system

Exterior
Finished in white with No. 39 competition livery, black-and-white chequered stripes and the characteristic bubble-arch Escort silhouette.

A serious historic competition Escort

This is a purpose-built historic racing Escort, not a road car converted for occasional track use. The specification includes extensive competition preparation throughout the chassis, suspension, brakes, drivetrain, engine and bodyshell.

The combination of the 711M-based 1300 cc engine, 134.7 hp dyno result, close-ratio competition gearbox, LSD, 4.7 final drive, four-link/Watts rear suspension, Bigem adjustable dampers, homologated brakes, lightweight fibreglass panels and FIA HTP makes this a particularly interesting package for an Escort enthusiast or historic racing driver.