Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 1,137 Built
- Years
- 1970–1974
- Engine
- Cosworth BDA · 1,601 cc / 1.6 LFactory: 1,601 cc
- Power
- 89.5 kW / 122 PSFactory: 120 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 182 km/hFactory: 113 mph · converted
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The RS1600 was the Escort that replaced the Twin Cam as Ford's frontline rally car, using the Cosworth BDA 16-valve engine. In 2.0-litre works form it won the RAC Rally three years in a row from 1972 to 1974.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Ford Escort RS1600 (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort RS1600)
Photo: Sicnag · CC BY 2.0
Ford Escort RS1600 (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort RS1600)
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ford Escort RS1600 (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort RS1600)
Photo: David Merrett from Daventry, England · CC BY 2.0
Ford Escort RS1600 (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort RS1600)
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionRS1600 produced to the end of 1974 (club's 'best estimates'; homologation was on 1,000 cars) | 1,1371,2 | Factory production | Factory reported |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
In 1970 the Twin Cam engine was replaced by the Cosworth BDA 16-valve unit, homologated at 1,601 cc so that it could later be enlarged to the 2-litre class limit. The first full 2.0-litre engines were homologated in 1972 and produced 235 to 240 bhp in works trim. The RS1600 was a homologation special built at Ford's Advanced Vehicles Operations plant; it was quick but expensive to produce and needed careful maintenance, which led to the RS2000.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Escort RS1600 (Mk1).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Cosworth BDA3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Not yet verified |
| Displacement | 1,601 cc / 1.6 LFactory: 1,601 cc3,4 Independently researched |
| Bore | 80.98 mmFactory: 80.98 mm5,6 Independently researched |
| Stroke | 77.72 mmFactory: 77.72 mm5,6 Independently researched |
| Compression ratio | 10.0:15,6 Independently researched |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead camshaft, 16 valves (BDA)3 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | Two Dellorto 40 DHLA sidedraught carburettors5 Independently researchedS1: optional Weber 40 DCOE carburettors were also homologated (122 bhp). |
| Power | 89.5 kW / 122 PSFactory: 120 hp · converted4 Registry reportedRoad car figure. Bonhams gives 235-240 bhp for works 2.0-litre competition engines. |
| Power at | 6,500 rpm5,6 Independently researched |
| Torque | 149 NmFactory: 110 lb-ft · converted5,6 Independently researched |
| Torque at | 4,500 rpm5 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | 46 Independently researched |
| Final drive | 3.77:16 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | RWD5 Independently researched |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Independent, coil springs, MacPherson struts, anti-roll bar6 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, radius arms, telescopic dampers6 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Front discs 9.625 in, rear drums 9.0 in, vacuum servo6 Independently researched |
| Steering | Rack and pinion6 Independently researched |
| Body construction | Steel integral, Type 49 shell6,5 Independently researched |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mmFactory: 2,400 mm5 Independently researched |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 182 km/hFactory: 113 mph · converted4 Registry reported |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| 0–60 mph | 8.9 s4 Registry reported |
| Fuel tank | 40.9 LFactory: 40.9 L6 Independently researched |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Escort RS1600 - 1970 Level A Ford RS Owners Club (Australia)
- only around 1137 RS1600's were actually produced
- 2
-
3
1971 Ford Escort RS1600 Mexico Sports Saloon, chassis BFATLU17106 Level C Bonhams · 2013-04-29
- Cosworth BDA 16-valve unit
- homologated at 1,601cc
-
4
Ford RS Owners Club, RS models overview Level B The Ford RS Owners Club
- Escort Mk1 RS1600 Engine cc: 1601 (RS models overview)
- Escort Mk1 RS1600 Engine bhp: 120 (RS models overview)
- Escort Mk1 RS1600 Top Speed: 113mph (RS models overview)
- Escort Mk1 RS1600 0-60mph: 8.9s (RS models overview)
-
5
Guide: Ford Escort Mk1 RS1600 Level A Supercar Nostalgia
- bore and stroke of 80.98mm and 77.72mm
- 10.0:1 compression ratio
- two Dellorto 40 DHLA sidedraught carburettors
- 115bhp at 6500rpm
- 110lb-ft at 4500rpm
- 2400mm wheelbase and rear-wheel drive layout
- special Type 49 pressed steel bodyshell
- 2400mm wheelbase
-
6
Escort RS 1600 Specification Level A Ford RS Owners Club UK
- Bore 80.98mm
- Stroke 77.72mm
- Compression ratio 10:1
- Power 115hp (DIN) @ 6500rpm
- Torque 110lb/ft @ 4500rpm
- four -speed synchromesh gearbox
- Final drive 3.77:1
- Independent coil springs, MacPherson struts with integral dampers and stabilizer bar
- Live Axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and radius arms
- Front - disc brakes, diameter 9.625in ... Rear - drum brakes, diameter 9.00in
- Steering Rack and pinion
- Body Steel integral construction
- Tank capacity 9.0 gallons (40.9 litres)
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