Compromised Internals

Overview Specs Highlights Characteristics

Overview

The Ford Escort Twin Cam, introduced in early 1968, was the first high-performance variant of the Mk1 Escort and a pivotal car in Ford's motorsport history. Developed by Ford of Britain in conjunction with Lotus, it featured the Lotus-derived 1.6L DOHC Twin Cam engine in a strengthened Escort body shell. Homologated for Group 2 rallying, the car proved instantly competitive on tarmac and gravel stages and quickly became a dominant force in international rallying by the end of the decade.

Technical Specs & Innovations

The Twin Cam included disc brakes up front, a modified Type 49 Lotus engine with a crossflow head, and heavy-duty suspension designed to withstand the punishment of rough rally stages.

🏆 Competitive Highlights

1968 London–Sydney Marathon – Overall Victory — Driven by Roger Clark and Ove Andersson (Ford Team Cars), showcasing reliability and speed over 10,000 miles of global terrain.
1969 Acropolis Rally – Overall Win — Demonstrated its ruggedness and suspension superiority on rocky Greek stages.
1969 Circuit of Ireland – Victory — Dominated tarmac and gravel in a challenging mixed-surface rally.

The Escort Twin Cam’s consistent podiums in the late 1960s marked the beginning of Ford’s golden era in rallying, setting the stage for the RS1600 and Group 4 domination of the 1970s.

Driving Characteristics

Praised for its nimbleness and grip, the Escort Twin Cam offered lively handling with a rear-wheel-drive balance that made it ideal for aggressive driving on loose surfaces. Its high-revving twin-cam engine, quick steering, and reinforced suspension made it both competitive and enjoyable to drive in demanding rally conditions.

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