Description:

Ford Escort Mk1 RS1600 BDA Zakspeed Tribute – Purpose-Built Historic Race Car

Few cars define international rallying and touring car history quite like the Ford Escort Mk1 RS1600. From its World Championship victories in the late 1960s through to Ari Vatanen’s title-winning success in 1981, the Escort established Ford as a dominant force in global motorsport. The introduction of the Cosworth BDA engine in 1970 created one of the most revered competition cars of its era, while Zakspeed’s fearsome Escorts went on to dominate European touring car racing throughout the 1970s.

This outstanding RS1600 Zakspeed-inspired tribute captures that golden era perfectly. Finished in striking yellow & green Zakspeed colours, the car has been comprehensively restored and rebuilt to an exceptionally high standard, with no expense spared. Originally built at Killarney Race Track, Cape Town and never raced since completion, it presents in effectively unused condition.

At its heart is a Ford BDA engine, built by F.R.E.D. Race Engineering Development featuring a 711 Kent bottom end, LT1 cams, twin refurbished Weber 45 carburettors and a dry sump system, the engine has been bored to approximately 1800cc and has never been run in competition. Cooling and lubrication are managed by aluminium radiator and oil cooler systems, ensuring reliability under sustained race conditions.

The car is based on a genuine 1970 Type 49 shell, which underwent a full bare-metal bead-blast restoration before being rebuilt on a rotisserie, nut and bolt. Steel bonnet, doors and boot lid are complemented by lightweight fibreglass bubble arches and front wings, while new glass and rubber seals complete the exterior.

Chassis and suspension specification is uncompromising. Fully adjustable front suspension with coil-over shocks, reinforced top strut turrets and additional anti-roll bar is matched at the rear by a five-link, rose-jointed adjustable system with Koni coil-overs. Power is delivered through a Ford Type 9 four-speed gearbox to a Borg Warner limited-slip differential. Braking is handled by four-pot Brembo vented discs at the front and two-pot rear calipers.

The cockpit is pure competition: FIA-approved roll cage (fitted in UK) , Recaro race seat, floor-mounted pedal box with bias control, VDO instrumentation and a dry sump tank neatly installed. Rolling stock is classic 13” Compomotive wheels, completing the period-correct race aesthetic.

A rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully executed, race-ready Escort RS1600 tribute with legendary provenance, exceptional build quality and zero competitive mileage — ideal for historic racing, hill climbs, demonstrations or serious collection.

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