Ford (D) Escort RS 1600
(1970 - 1974)
Car articles about Ford (D) Escort RS 1600 by year
When the then still unknown Walter Röhrl set the fastest times in a Ford Capri RS 2600 at the 1972 Olympic Rally, the organizers believed it was a measurement error. Röhrl drove a Ford from the tuning company Kleint R.S. in his first rally season. One of the rare sister cars has survived and is now being restored by trainees with a difficult social background in the same way as Röhrl's car at the Olympic Rally. This article reports on the restoration project and the history of this very special Capri.
With the Ford Cortina 1600 E, the British Ford subsidiary offered an agile mid-range car for the "Executive", because the "E" did not stand for fuel injection. Today, Cortinas that once set registration records in Great Britain are rare in this country, especially those of the second series. This driving report is about a Cortina 1600 E from 1970 in the particularly rare two-door version and shows it in pictures from then and now, as well as in contemporary sales literature.
The choice of mid-range vehicles in Germany at the beginning of the 1970s was diverse. Front or rear-wheel drive, front or rear engine, water cooling or air cooling were on offer, as were two or four doors. In a 1970 comparison, the Ford 15 M had to compete against the Audi 60, Peugeot 304 and VW 1600. The comparison test report of the time shows who came out on top and who was judged best by the test drivers.
Pietro Frua was a master of secondary utilization. He also reused the body he had created for the Glas GT after the end of its production and fitted it to the platform of the Ford Escort with economical modifications. Two such coupés with different engines were created, but the hoped-for small series production did not materialize. Both cars survived. This report looks back at the development of the two coupés and shows them in contemporary and present-day pictures.
At the end of 1970, Ford Cologne decided to build high-performance models for fun and sport itself in future and to sell them through a network of selected dealers. The first product of the Ford subsidiary AVO was the RS 2600, a 150 hp Capri for DM 16,000. In the first test, the hot-rodded Capri revealed its sporting talent - as well as an almost unquenchable thirst.
Faster, sportier and tougher - the Ford Capri RS 2600 converted all those doubters who had previously denied that the Capri was a sports car. And it was also reasonably priced, especially compared to a Porsche 911, which it was on a par with in terms of performance. At least that's what Auto Revue reported after its test drives. This article reproduces the original wording of the test report at the time and shows the car in historical photos and the original sales brochure.
Launched in 1968, the Ford Escort was designed from the outset to also perform sporting feats, but the very fast variants were too expensive for normal drivers and everyday use. This changed with the 1970 Mexico, which was introduced by the British factory as a result of its great success in the London-Mexico endurance rallies. Now there was 1.6 liter displacement, 86 hp and all kinds of rally accessories at affordable prices. This vehicle report describes the special model, which was produced in considerable numbers, and shows it in many pictures, including sound samples.
Ford described the new Escort RS 2000, which had been upgraded with a two-liter OHC engine and was intended to challenge the BMW 2002, as a secret sports car with exceptional performance. With 100 hp, it was the most attractive and most affordable offering in this segment in Germany. This test report from that time determines whether it was competitive regardless of the price.
The era of sporty saloons began with the BMW 2002. Opel launched its first attacks on the Munich-based domain with its Ascona 19 SR, followed belatedly by Ford with the Escort RS 2000. Audi was the last to push for a place in the 100 hp society with the 80 GT. In 1973 a comparison test checked whether the newcomer from Ingolstadt could catch up with or even overtake its earlier competitors.
With the Escort RS 2000, Ford presented a sports car for the masses in 1973. It was not expensive and its suitability for everyday use was hardly diminished, but with 100 hp and a kerb weight of 915 kg, the fast Escort provided plenty of forward momentum. This driving report is about an RS-2000 version from 1974 that has been converted into a rally car with an impressive history and shows it in many photos. It is supplemented by contemporary photos, sales literature and a sound sample.
The Ford Escort increasingly fell behind in the face of strong competition from the Opel Kadett and VW Golf. But were there still good reasons in favor of the tried-and-tested Escort? Find out in the 1974 test report.
Current market prices for Ford (D) Escort RS 1600
2-Door Sedan, 101 PS, 1993 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 39 PS, 1098 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 39 PS, 1098 cm3
Station Wagon, 39 PS, 1098 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 45 PS, 1098 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 45 PS, 1098 cm3
Station Wagon, 45 PS, 1098 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 48 PS, 1298 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 48 PS, 1298 cm3
Station Wagon, 48 PS, 1098 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 52 PS, 1298 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 52 PS, 1298 cm3
Station Wagon, 52 PS, 1298 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 64 PS, 1298 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 72 PS, 1298 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 72 PS, 1298 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 90 PS, 1998 cm3
More vehicle evaluations from Classic Data can be found via the search function.
Auctioned vehicles of Ford (D) Escort RS 1600
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escort RS 1600 1974 Not Sold H&H Classics The Imperial War Museum Motor Car Auction (April 17, 2013) |
Escort RS 1600 | 1974 | Not Sold | H&H Classics The Imperial War Museum Motor Car Auction (April 17, 2013) | |
| Ford Escort RS 1600 Mexico 1971 Sold Bonhams Classic Car Auction at RAF Museum (April 29, 2013) |
Escort RS 1600 Mexico | 1971 | Sold | Bonhams Classic Car Auction at RAF Museum (April 29, 2013) | |
| Ford Escort RS1600 Group 2 FIA Competition Saloon 1971 Not Sold Bonhams Goodwood Member's Meeting Sale (April 19, 2026) |
Escort RS1600 Group 2 FIA Competition Saloon | 1971 | Not Sold | Bonhams Goodwood Member's Meeting Sale (April 19, 2026) | |
| Ford Escort RS1600 1971 Not Sold ACA Kings Lynn Auction (June 18, 2016) |
Escort RS1600 | 1971 | Not Sold | ACA Kings Lynn Auction (June 18, 2016) | |
| Ford Escort RS1600 BDA 1972 Not Sold Silverstone Auctions Classic Sale at Silverstone (July 31, 2021) |
Escort RS1600 BDA | 1972 | Not Sold | Silverstone Auctions Classic Sale at Silverstone (July 31, 2021) | |
| Ford Escort RS1600 1972 Not Sold Iconic Auctioneers Silverstone Festival (August 23, 2024) |
Escort RS1600 | 1972 | Not Sold | Iconic Auctioneers Silverstone Festival (August 23, 2024) | |
| Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1 Group 2 1973 Not Sold Silverstone Auctions The Silverstone Classic Sale 2013 (July 27, 2013) |
Escort RS1600 Mk1 Group 2 | 1973 | Not Sold | Silverstone Auctions The Silverstone Classic Sale 2013 (July 27, 2013) | |
| Ford Escort RS1600 Kent crossflow engine 1972 Sold H&H Classics The Chateau Impney Motor Car Auction (December 4, 2013) |
Escort RS1600 Kent crossflow engine | 1972 | Sold | H&H Classics The Chateau Impney Motor Car Auction (December 4, 2013) | |
| Ford D Capri I RS 2600 1973 Sold Auctionata Berlin Sale (August 31, 2015) |
Capri I RS 2600 | 1973 | Sold | Auctionata Berlin Sale (August 31, 2015) | |
| Ford D Capri I RS 2600 1973 Sold Aguttes Lyon Sale (June 20, 2015) |
Capri I RS 2600 | 1973 | Sold | Aguttes Lyon Sale (June 20, 2015) |
Query all auctioned vehicles of Ford (D) Escort RS 1600
Engine sounds of Ford (D) Escort RS 1600 vehicles (random selection)
Check more audio on Ford (D) Escort RS 1600
Loading...
Loading more content ...
Loading...