Description:

FORD ESCORT MK1 RS1600 

Zakspeed built from all new components, Group 2-homologated replica and practically identical to the 1974 original. Built in 2020 by Zakspeed and never yet raced.

Storied car maker Ford stood on the brink of a new era during the latter years of the 1960s. It had merged its subsidiaries in Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland to create Ford of Europe. Meanwhile, the venerable Anglia was nearing the end of its lifecycle. After over 1,5 million Anglias made their way onto the roads of Europe, Australia and South Africa, it headed for well-deserved retirement. Ford unveiled the successor, named Escort, in January of 1968. Over the next three decades, the Escort became a power house - more than doubling the Anglia’s sales figures and proving particularly popular in the UK and continental Europe.

While Ford introduced the world to the Escort, German mechanic Erich Zakowski founded his very own racing and tuning company in Niederzissen. Zakowski took to Ford like a duck to water and before long, Zakspeed became the official Ford team in the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft (DRM).

While he raced the larger, faster Capri, Zakowski also took notice of the Escort. Lightweight and with a short wheelbase, the Escort could just make an excellent racer. Ford itself had already recognised the Escort’s competition potential, introducing faster versions with the 1300 GT and Twin Cam.

However, it wasn’t until the RS1600 came along that things became serious. It replaced the Twin Cam and showed promise. Under the bonnet sat a Cosworth-prepped 1,6-litre inline four producing 115 horsepower. A decent figure to hurl it around B-roads, but nowhere near enough for motorsport.

With that in mind, Zakowski got his hands on the engine and bored it out to a 2,0-litre. The power output more than doubled to 250 horsepower. Add a body kit and suddenly the dependable family car looked a lot more like a racing car.

Zakowski’s efforts proved fruitful. Zakspeed became dominant in DRM and won four championships in a row between 1971 and 1975.

This particular Escort RS1600, chassis ZAK MK1/00174R, acts as a special reminder of a great time in German motor racing.

The car is a Zakspeed-built, Group 2-homologated replica and practically identical to the 1974 original. This chassis number has a rich history, as it was driven by the likes of Klaus Ludwig and Hans Heyer. The duo took it to victory during the 1974 ADAC 6H-Rennen Nürburgring on the legendary Nordschleife.

Under the hood sits the 2.0-liter Cosworth BDA inline-four, built from aluminium and equipped with a dry-sump lubrication system. Zakspeed coupled the engine to a ZF five-speed manual gearbox, mounted as far backwards as possible to achieve the best possible weight distribution at 840 kilograms. The car’s looks are completed by Hoosier tires, BBS wheels and the iconic white, red and green Castrol liveries raced by Ludwig, Heyer and Dieter Glemser.

This unique piece of motor racing history is now for sale with spare parts and all required documentation. Homologated to Group 2 specification the Escort is ready for use in historic racing championships in multiple countries.

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