1977 Ford Escort RS1800 Works Rally Car — Ex-Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vatanen and Bjorn Waldegard (WTW 568S)
Registration: WTW 568S
Chassis No: BBATTC69903
Engine: Cosworth BDG 2.0L
Odometer: Competition Mileage
Key Facts..
Genuine Ford Works Escort RS1800 built at Boreham
Driven in-period by Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vatanen and Björn Waldegård
2nd overall on multiple 1978 World Rally Championship events
Winner of the 1979 Motogard Rally of New Zealand (WRC round)
Retains original Ford Works bodyshell
Fully documented with Ford Motorsport authentication
Restored with strong emphasis on originality and period correctness
Provenance..
Constructed in late 1977 by Ford Motorsport at Boreham, this Escort RS1800 was built specifically for Ford’s 1978 World Rally Championship campaign.
During this period, the RS1800 represented the pinnacle of Ford’s rally engineering — a purpose-built competition car developed to compete at the very highest level of international rallying.
First registered as WTW 568S on 9th November 1977, the car formed part of the Works Ford rally team effort, driven by some of the most significant names of the era.
Following its initial works campaign, the car was rebuilt by Ford at Boreham before being exported to New Zealand in early 1979, where it became part of the Masport Escort Rally Team — one of the most successful regional Ford rally programmes of the period.
Specification..
Period Works Group 4 rally specification including:
2.0-litre Cosworth BDG alloy block engine
Twin Weber 48 carburettors
ZF 5-speed gearbox
Atlas differential (5.3 ratio)
Four-link rear suspension with Panhard rod
Slipper leaf spring rear setup
Original roll cage
Original dashboard instrumentation
Period navigation equipment including:
Halda Twin Master
Heuer Stopwatch
Heuer Chronometer
12-volt electrical system with original 24-volt starting configuration
Set of original Minilite magnesium Group 4 wheels (for display)
Set of original Dunlop A2 rally tyres (for display)
Race History..
1978 World Rally Championship
Built for the 1978 WRC season, the car was campaigned in multiple championship events with the Ford Works team.
Notable results include:
Swedish Rally — Hannu Mikkola
2nd Overall
Rally Portugal — Hannu Mikkola
2nd Overall
1000 Lakes Rally — Ari Vatanen
Retired
RAC Rally — Björn Waldegård
2nd Overall
These results placed the car firmly among the leading Works Escorts competing at world level during the late 1970s.
1979 World Rally Championship
Following a full refresh by Ford Boreham, the car was sent to New Zealand for the Masport Escort Rally Team, once again driven by Hannu Mikkola.
Motogard Rally of New Zealand (Round 6, WRC)
1st Overall
This victory represents the defining achievement of the car’s competition career, securing a World Rally Championship win in one of the most demanding events on the calendar.
Later Competition History
After its 1979 success, the car was sold to New Caledonia where it continued to compete in regional rally events.
It returned to international competition in the 1982 Rally of New Zealand, finishing:
7th Overall
History..
Following its competition career, the car remained overseas before returning to New Zealand in 2002.
At this point, a full professional refurbishment was undertaken, with a clear focus on preserving the car’s originality and historical integrity rather than restoring it beyond recognition.
Significantly, members of the original Masport Escort Rally Team mechanics were involved in the refurbishment process, ensuring that the car remained faithful to its period specification and detailing.
Where possible, original components were retained and reused, supplemented only by correct period replacement parts where necessary.
Today, the car is presented in the exact configuration in which it competed in the 1979 Motogard Rally of New Zealand.
Originality..
WTW 568S retains a remarkable level of authenticity, including:
Original and verified Ford Works bodyshell
Correct BDG engine configuration
Original drivetrain components
Period suspension architecture
Original dashboard and instrumentation
Original rally navigation equipment
Collection of original spares and components acquired with the car
The car is accompanied by an authenticity document from Ford Motorsport, signed by Mick Jones, Senior Mechanic at Boreham.
Notable Drivers..
This Escort was driven in period by some of the most important figures in rallying history:
Hannu Mikkola — World Champion and one of Ford’s leading works drivers
Ari Vatanen — Future World Champion and multiple rally winner
Björn Waldegård — Inaugural World Rally Champion
Their involvement firmly places the car within the top tier of Ford’s Works rally programme.
Current Condition..
Presented in period-correct competition specification following careful refurbishment.
Key highlights include:
Prepared to 1979 Motogard Rally specification
Maintained in running and demonstrable condition
Regularly displayed and demonstrated at events including:
Leadfoot Festival of Speed
Taupo Historic Race Meeting
Auckland Concours
RS Owners and Ford enthusiast events
Supplied with original spares, wheels, tyres and period documentation.
Summary..
A genuine Ford Works Escort RS1800 with World Rally Championship history, including outright victory on the 1979 Rally of New Zealand, WTW 568S represents an important and highly authentic example of Ford’s rallying heritage.
Driven by Mikkola, Vatanen and Waldegård, and retaining its original Works bodyshell, it stands as a significant survivor from one of the most competitive and celebrated eras of international rallying.
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