1997 Ford Escort Cosworth WRC
Registration: P6 FMC
Chassis Number: SABTVR03267006717
Engine Number: MT091/A
Odometer: N/A
KEY FACTS..
Competition Identity: Chassis #4 / 4A
First Rally Debut: 1997 Monte Carlo Rally
Period Drivers: Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankkunen, Armin Schwarz, Jarmo Kytölehto
Later Period Campaigns: Ford Turkey (1999–2000)
Historic Usage: UK Rallying (to 2015); Goodwood Festival of Speed & SpeedWeek appearances
Engine: Comprehensive rebuild in 2020 (correct specification)
Current Status: Eligible for Historic Rallying
Provenance & Period Details..
Originally constructed in late 1996 and registered early January 97' by Ford Motorsport at Boreham, this is an exceptionally early and significant example of Ford’s World Rally Car programme. It competed under chassis #4 during the inaugural WRC era, later updated to chassis 4A through period upgrades carried out by RV Fabrications.
Our Escort was among the very first batch of World Rally Cars developed ahead of the 1997 World Rally Championship season under new FIA WRC regulations. It formed part of the factory entry that replaced Ford’s previous Group A programme.
In 1998, following the transfer of the Ford works programme to M-Sport, this chassis was updated to the latest specification by Gordon Vincent of RV Fabrications (then ACS Ltd). Despite this evolution, Vincent confirms the same physical shell remains — shell number MS97WR00001/R01/04/1/97.
World Rally Championship Career..
The Escort made its competition debut at the 1997 Monte Carlo Rally in the hands of Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya, finishing second overall — a remarkable result on the first outing of the new WRC formula.
Throughout the 1997 season it contested multiple rounds of the World Rally Championship, including:
Monte Carlo Rally
Swedish Rally
Rally Portugal
Rallye de France – Tour de Corse
Acropolis Rally
The season included multiple podium finishes and a third-place result at Rally Finland with Jarmo Kytölehto at the wheel.
Later Competitive Life..
After two seasons with the Ford works effort, the car continued its rallying career abroad. It was campaigned by Ford Turkey during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, competing in Turkish and Greek events before being sold privately.
It was subsequently rallied in the UK by David Robinson until 2015, maintaining its competition heritage and mechanical activity well beyond its factory years.
Historic & Modern Use..
A regular invitee at the Goodwood Festival of Speed — where it first appeared in 1997 — this Escort has remained a popular feature at major historic events. In recent years it has been campaigned sparingly by its current owner, including appearances at Goodwood Festival of Speed and SpeedWeek, driven by rally legends such as Stig Blomqvist and Juha Kankkunen.
Mechanical Condition..
Mechanically the car benefits from a comprehensive engine rebuild in 2020, using correct specification parts and attention to period authenticity. It has seen very limited mileage since the rebuild, primarily logged during Goodwood appearances, and can be described as being “on the button” and ready for competition.
Historic Rally Eligibility..
Presented in its original factory era livery and complete with extensive documentation — including period results, shell identity verification, engine build details, and works provenance — this Escort is fully eligible for historic rally competition, particularly within pre-2000 WRC events.
Significance..
This is a genuine works-entered Ford Escort WRC with direct links to world championship motorsport and some of rallying’s most iconic drivers. As one of the earliest examples of the World Rally Car formula, it represents a pivotal moment in rally history and remains a highly authentic, usable piece of competition heritage.
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