Shannons Club: Ford Escort Mk 1: Born to Compete. Bred to Win.

Image www.autopics.com.au thanks to the Shannons Club

In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s Ford took the world by storm, releasing and developing a car that would become a staple on the top step of races and rallies around the world – the Ford Escort.

Just two months after the Escort’s United Kingdom launch in 1968 Ford revealed a hot Twin Cam model with a light and rigid unitary body-shell, powered by a ‘Kent’ cross-flow four cylinder motor. These sat on MacPherson strut front suspension with a leaf-sprung live rear axle, and were steered by rack and pinion.

Simple, tough, light and fast – the hallmarks of a good racer – these cars quickly became a favourite on the motor sport circuit. And so Ford made more of them, developing high performance Escorts under their Rallye Sport branding.

The RS 1600 and RS 2000 didn’t quite make it to Australian dealerships, and it took until 1970 for the Escort Mk 1 to go on sale in Australia, but that didn’t slow it down at all. Buzzing with an impressive international reputation, Escorts were snapped up to compete in motorsport events around the country at all levels.

Ford Escort Mk 1: Born to Compete. Bred to Win. thanks to the Shannons Club goes in depth into the classic Escort’s story and gets to know some of Australia’s most successful cars. Head to the Shannons Club and enjoy it.

Image www.autopics.com.au thanks to the Shannons Club