Rare Car Archive

Makes › Ford United States › Escort › Escort Twin Cam (Mk1) · Factory competition · 1968–1971 Very Rare

Ford
Escort Twin Cam (Mk1)

Lotus twin-cam engined homologation Escort Mk1, the first competition Escort

Still being researched: identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

Ford Escort Twin Cam (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort Twin Cam)
Ford Escort Twin Cam (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort Twin Cam)
Photo: Neil · CC BY 2.0
883BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
883 Built
Years
1968–1971
Engine
1,558 cc / 1.6 LFactory: 1,558 cc
Power
79 kW / 107 PSFactory: 106 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 Twin Cam was the works' frontline rally Escort when Ford began winning World Championship-level events in 1968, until the Cosworth BDA-engined RS1600 replaced it in 1970.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityVery Rare 883 · Built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

  • Ford Escort Twin Cam (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort Twin Cam)Ford Escort Twin Cam (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort Twin Cam)
    Photo: Neil · CC BY 2.0
  • Ford Escort Twin Cam (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort Twin Cam)Ford Escort Twin Cam (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort Twin Cam)
    Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Ford Escort Twin Cam (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort Twin Cam)Ford Escort Twin Cam (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort Twin Cam)
    Photo: Draco2008 · CC BY 2.0
  • Ford Escort Twin Cam (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort Twin Cam)Ford Escort Twin Cam (Mk1) (Wikimedia Commons: Ford Escort Twin Cam)
    Photo: Neil · CC BY 2.0

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productioncars built (approximately) 8831 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Ford revealed the Escort Twin Cam in January 1968, only weeks after the base Escort. It used a stronger two-door shell known as the Type 49, with slightly flared front arches, stronger strut tops, extra strengthening plates and radius arms to limit rear axle tramp, and the Lotus-developed 1558 cc eight-valve twin-cam engine also used in the Elan and Lotus Cortina.

The Twin Cam took the Escort's first rally and saloon-racing victories before being replaced by the RS1600, which was essentially the same car with Cosworth's BDA engine. One source credits the competition car with two consecutive world rallying titles in 1968 and 1969.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Escort Twin Cam (Mk1).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutNot yet verified
Displacement 1,558 cc / 1.6 LFactory: 1,558 cc2 Registry reported
Bore 82.5 mmFactory: 82.5 mm3 Independently researched
Stroke 72.9 mmFactory: 72.9 mm3 Independently researched
Compression ratio9.5:13 Independently researched
ValvetrainTwin cam, 2 valves per cylinder (cast iron head per source)3 Independently researched
Fuel systemTwo Weber 40 DCOE horizontal twin-barrel carburettors3 Independently researched
Power 79 kW / 107 PSFactory: 106 hp · converted2 Registry reportedSource states bhp.
Power atNot yet verified
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxNot yet verified
Gears43 Independently researched
Final drive3.777:13 Independently researched
Driven wheelsRWD3 Independently researched

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionIndependent, McPherson, coil springs, telescopic struts, anti-roll bar3 Independently researched
Rear suspensionRigid axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, trailing radius arms, telescopic dampers3 Independently researched
BrakesFront discs 235 mm, rear drums, servo3 Independently researched
SteeringRack and pinion3 Independently researched
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,400 mmFactory: 2,400 mm3 Independently researched
Length 4,084 mmFactory: 4,084 mm3 Independently researched
Width 1,570 mmFactory: 1,570 mm3 Independently researched
Height 1,346 mmFactory: 1,346 mm3 Independently researched
Front track 1,245 mmFactory: 1,245 mm3 Independently researched
Rear track 1,270 mmFactory: 1,270 mm3 Independently researched
Kerb weightNot yet verified
Dry weight 785 kgFactory: 785 kg3 Independently researched

Performance

Maximum speed 182 km/hFactory: 113 mph · converted2 Registry reported
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
0–60 mph 9.9 s2 Registry reported
Fuel tank 40.9 LFactory: 9 gal-uk · converted3 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.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Ford RS Owners Club – Escort Mk1 TwinCam Level B
    • 883 cars built (approximately)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Ford RS Owners Club, RS models overview Level B The Ford RS Owners Club
    • Escort Mk1 TwinCam Engine cc: 1558 (RS models overview)
    • Escort Mk1 TwinCam Engine bhp: 106 (RS models overview)
    • Escort Mk1 TwinCam Top Speed: 113mph (RS models overview)
    • Escort Mk1 TwinCam 0-60mph: 9.9s (RS models overview)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  3. 3
    Ford Escort RS Twin Cam RS 1600 technical details (1968-1974) Level A Motor Car History Service
    • bore and stroke: 82.5 x 72.9 mm
    • compression ratio: 9.5
    • valves: 2 per cylinder
    • 2 Weber 40 DCOE horizontal twin barrel carburettors
    • gears: 4 + reverse synchromesh
    • axle ratio: 3.777
    • driving wheels: rear
    • front suspension: independent, by McPherson, coil springs
    • rear suspension: rigid axle: semi-elliptic leafsprings
    • front disc (diameter 9.25 in, 235 mm) rear drum, servo
    • STEERING rack-and-pinion
    • wheel base: 2,400 mm
    • overall length: 4,084 mm
    • overall width: 1,570 mm
    • overall height: 1,346 mm
    • front track: 1,245 mm
    • rear track: 1,270 mm
    • dry weight: 1,730 lb, 785 kg
    • Fuel tank capacity: 9 imp gal
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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