1970 Ford Escort Twin Cam

• A rare original road car from the final year of production in lovely order
• Superbly and accurately restored in Ermine White with a nicely detailed black interior
• Supplied with an Aldon Automotive rolling-road dyno-sheet confirming 97bhp at the flywheel
• From five years with our vendor and enjoyed on Midland-based non-competitive driving events
• Original factory owners handbook, buff logbook, correspondence re early history and owners
• Fitted with a period radio, restored and serviced, upgraded to include FM and Aux/iPod input
• It is not often that a Mk 1 Twin-Cam of this quality comes onto the open market

The arrival of the Escort Twin Cam at the start of 1968 marked the second phase of Ford UK's production-car based competitions programme that had commenced with the Lotus Cortina. The latter had used the Ford-based 1.6-litre Lotus Twin Cam engine to good effect, and combining this unit with the smaller and lighter Escort bodyshell would prove to be an inspired move. Reputedly, Ford's Competitions Manager, Henry Taylor, had seen a prototype Escort being tested and recognised its potential. A feasibility study commenced at the Competitions Department's Boreham factory in March 1967, which proved that although the list of modifications required to install the bulky Twin Cam engine and 2000E gearbox was a lengthy one, the transplant was possible. The project duly got the 'green light' and a dedicated Twin Cam production line was set up at Ford's Halewood plant on Merseyside where the cars were assembled by a hand-picked team using the stronger, export-specification Escort two-door bodyshell. Production proper got underway in the spring of 1968 after the first 25 Twin Cams had been assembled at Boreham. Group 3 homologation (500 units built) was achieved in March '68 and apparently, Group 2 (1,000 units) in May, although there may have been some 'artistic licence' with this as it's now clear that Twin Cam production totalled 883 units. Competition success had been the Twin Cam's 'Raison d'Etre' and Ford's new baby was soon delivering the goods. A pair of the Boreham-built Twin Cams dominated the televised Croft rallycross meeting in February 1968, demonstrating its potential to an audience of millions, while the car's first major international success was achieved during March when Ove Andersson and John Davenport finished 3rd in the San Remo Rally. The Twin Cam's first outright win was achieved by Roger Clark in the Circuit of Ireland Rally at Easter. Despite a short works career that ended in 1971, the Escort Twin Cam won the World Rally 'Championship for Makes' twice, in 1968 and '69, and helped the Alan Mann Racing-entered Frank Gardner take the British Touring Car Championship in 1968.

Original road Twin Cams are very rare these days and this one comes from an enthusiastic private vendor who has owned it for the last 5 years and participated in various Midland-based non-competitive driving events, as well as enjoying sunny weekend trips with his wife. He has kept the car well and enjoyed using it regularly.

In the interesting history file are various period items including the original factory Owners Handbook, a copy of the original buff logbook, an Aldon Automotive rolling-road dyno sheet confirming 97bhp at the flywheel (and 64.5BHP at the wheels) dated August 2015, and a letter confirming the early history and ownership of the car. In fact, the first owner was the Ford Motor Company and indeed the registration number FMG reflected the Ford Motor Group initials. A further 5 private owners have enjoyed the car since then - all of whom have been researched and contacted with all contact details kept within the history file. Even a period radio - restored and serviced - was fitted in 2016 and upgraded to include the FM frequency and Aux/I-Pod input.

So, in summary, a genuine car with interesting provenance that is now delightfully restored, ready to use and also represents a sensible long term investment opportunity to the knowledgeable 'Fast Ford' collector.