The Ford Escort Mk1 stands as one of the most iconic rally cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Since its launch in 1967 it captured the imagination of enthusiasts worldwide, becoming synonymous with the golden era of international rallying.

Driven by legends such as Hannu Mikkola, Roger Clark, Timo Mäkinen and Björn Waldegaard, the Escort proved that a compact and relatively simple design could dominate on stages across the globe.

While early competition Escorts were powered by the Lotus Ford Twin Cam engine, Ford’s motorsport ambitions expanded rapidly.

The introduction of the Rallye Sport models marked a turning point, with the RS1600 and later RS2000 cementing the Escort’s reputation for performance and durability.

Perhaps most significant of all was the Escort’s success in endurance rallying with the defining moment coming in 1970 when an Escort won the gruelling London to Mexico World Cup Rally, inspiring the creation of the Escort Mexico and securing its place in rallyi...