One to Buy: ex-works 1997 Ford Escort Cosworth WRC
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When the World Rally Championship switched from Group A to WRC regulations for the 1997 season, one of the older generation cars to get a new lease of life was Ford’s Escort RS Cosworth.
In anticipation of the ‘97 season, modifications were made to the Escort’s engine, cooling, suspension, aero and packaging. The net result was two wins for Carlos Sainz (on the Acropolis and Rally Indonesia) which went down as the Escort’s last victories at World Championship level.
Two-time World Champion Sainz had joined Ford in 1996 on a two-year contract. He finished third in the standings in both campaigns, scoring 13 podium finishes and three wins for the Blue Oval. During that time, Sainz put in a number of memorable performances, one of which was on the ‘97 Monte Carlo when he took second for the new WRC-spec. Escort on its debut.
On August 22nd, that very car in which Sainz almost beat Subaru’s Piero Liatti to victory on the ‘97 Monte (chassis 4) will be going under the hammer at Iconic Auctioneers Sailverstone Historic Festival sale.
Later on in the 1997 season, chassis 4 contested the Swedish, Portuguese and French rallies along with that year’s Tour de Corse and Acropolis. In addition to Sainz, it was variously driven by Juha Kankkunen, Armin Schwarz and Jarmo Kytolehto. After two years as a works-entered car, chassis 4 was campaigned by Ford Turkey (throughout the 1999 and 2000 seasons). It is being offered today back in the iconic Repsol colours from its time as a works entry.
For more information visit the Iconic Auctioneers website at: https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/
