Lot details
Registration No: RAP931M
Chassis No: BBATPT41511
Mot Expiry: None

Since the Escort is probably the most successful rally car of all time, and certainly the hot ticket in historic rallying right now, it is no wonder that `new' cars are still being produced.

We are informed that this particular example came together between 2007 and 2008 and was initially liveried in white with blue decals (like Roger Clark's 1974 Tour of Britain RS2000). A shakedown event on the Donegal International rally produced an overall win, beating much more powerful Porsches.

For 2008, it was fitted with a new Alan Sherwood 2-litre BDA engine, new ZF five-speed gearbox and new Atlas axle, and won again on the Galway International and the Circuit of Ireland. The Escort was the post-historic winner in the 2008 Irish Historic Championship, with more victories in Donegal and Cork and a fastest stage time on the Manx International.

In 2009, `RAP 931M' received a set of Group 4 wheelarches and new livery from SKN Historic Motorsport. After leading the Ulster International overnight it finished second, some of the later fast stages not suiting the driver, but a solid drive produced a good result against a former European Historic Rally Champion driving a Mk2 BDA Escort, again leaving the Porsches well behind.

So, this appears to be a very capable rally car, assembled from all the right bits, the major items we list here. Bodyshell: built to Gp4 spec from a solid shell with original floor from Gartrac-supplied parts, 14-point bolt-in rollcage, short link boxes, raised rear chassis legs, raised boot floor. Engine: Alan Sherwood 2-litre BDA on twin 48DCOE Webers, supplied January 2008 and only 600 stage miles since; Tony Law manifold, Lucas ignition. Rear axle: fully-floating Atlas with 5:1 limited-slip differential, single-leaf springs, Watts linkage, Bilstein dampers, Aeroquip hoses. Brakes: AP `Monte Carlo' vented discs front, AP vented discs rear.

The vendor says: "The bodywork has never been damaged, and the paintwork is mint. The engine has completed only 600 stage miles, the gearbox only 300 miles and a new paddle clutch has just been fitted". He adds: "This is a full-spec post-historic BDA car ready to win anywhere in Europe". Going by past results, we can only agree.