Model Page
Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800
Production Run: |
109 |
|---|---|
Production Date: |
1975 - 1977 |
Engine: |
1,835cc Ford Cosworth BDA |
Built: |
Halewood (UK) Saarlouis (Germany) |
0-60: |
8.9 secs |
Max Speed: |
111mph |
The RS1800 was Ford’s most successful Rally car and sat at the top of the Mk2 Escort hierarchy, ahead of the RS2000 and the RS Mexico. Development on the Mk2 Escort RS range had begun in 1973, but development of the range had slipped behind schedule with the announcement of the closure of Ford’s Advance Vehicle Operations Department.
The Mk2 Escort was launched in January 1975, the first RS1800’s were not delivered until mid 1975. Learning from the experience of the slow sales of the road going RS1600, Ford decided to slim-line production choosing to produce the RS1800’s using semi assembled RS Mexico’s as the base.
Famous Rothmans Mk2 RS1800
Unlike the Mk1 RS Escorts, the Mk2 RS body shell was not a custom body, but more a slightly revamped Mk2 shell with the addition of mounting points for the radius arms used on the rear suspension and strengthening of the front strut mounts. Externally the car looked similar to the RS Mexico, fitted with front chin spoiler and a rubberised rear spoiler. The car utilised the same grille as the RS Mexico rather than taking the RS2000’s droop snoot. The car was distinguished from other models by displaying 1.8 badges on the front wings and with the addition of a large, blue two tone side stripe with RS1800 decals. (RS1800 appearing on the rear quarter and boot-lid) The car was further identifiable by the fact that the rear panel was finished in matt black.
The RS1800 used the 1,835cc Ford Cosworth Belt Driven Version A (shortened to BDA) that was an evolution of the Keith Duckworth developed RS1600 engine. The unit was a radically overhauled Ford Kent unit and was unveiled in January of 1969. The engine was fitted to a number of Capri prototypes but these were rejected as a V6 lump better suited the Capri, it seemed that this unit would be ideally suited to the smaller, lighter Escort shell.
Ford Cosworth BDA Engine
The RS1600 engine on which the unit was based was trend setting in design mating together several features that whilst not new, had never been used in a single engine together. The design feature of the engine was the narrow angle between the line of valves, with it having sixteen valve architecture and the camshafts being driven by cogged belts. Unlike the Mk1 Twin Cam it was possible to mount this engine squarely in the engine bay of the Mk2 Escort and there was enough space to relocate the battery to the usual position in the engine bay. Whilst the engine was not as powerful as the smaller displacement unit fitted to the RS1600 having 5 bhp less, the engine produced an additional 8lb/ft of torque. The engine had been developed to attain high reliability for road use with Ford’s engineers believing that for motor-sport events, the owners would heavily modify the engine units.
Mechanically the car was similar to the RS Mexico but included up-rated suspension settings. The gearbox was a development of the Type E German unit; the transmission used a unique to the RS1800 set of close ratios to better suit the engine. This gearbox was later modified and used in the 2.8 Injection Capri’s in five speed form. The car utilised the same final drive as the Mk 1 RS2000s.
Ford Escort MK 2 RS1800
The RS1800 had two trim levels available, the base model which was trimmed much the same as the Escort Sport, and the ‘Custom’ – this edition had reclining front seats, clock integrated into the dashboard, 6 pod instrumentation taken from the RS2000 and centre console with radio mountings. The boot compartment was carpeted and the door panels were fully trimmed. The RS1800 Custom pack was not popular and was quietly dropped from the model line up in 1976.
Production of the RS1800’s was not a straight forward affair, the cars were built at the Saarlouis factory as RS Mexico’s however the cars were not completed at this stage and did not have the transmission or engine installed. These partially built units were then shipped to the factory in South Ockendon in the UK and completed as RS1800s.
At launch the RS1800 Base was £2,416 and the Custom £2,527. The car was discontinued in 1977 with only 109 cars being produced making this model one of the most exclusive models Ford ever produced.
The Facts
Engine: |
Ford Cosworth BDA 16v |
|---|---|
Capacity: |
1,835 |
Valves: |
16 |
Compression Ratio: |
10:1 |
Fuel System: |
Single Downdraught dual choke Weber Type 32/36 DGAV Carburettor |
Maximum Power: |
115 bhp @ 6,000 rpm. |
Maximum Torque: |
120 lb/ft @ 4,000 rpm. |
Transmission: |
Manual 4 speed. |
Top Gear: |
18.5 mph per 1000 rpm. |
Brakes: |
Servo Assisted Solid Front Discs / Rear Drums |
Kerb Weight: |
915kg |
Max Speed: |
111 mph |
0-60: |
8.9 secs |
