Ford was about so you’re able to embark on new 1970 London to help you Mexico rally having fun with Escort Mk1’s
Gartrac generated its very first acquaintance which have David Sutton who was the fresh new manager regarding Clark & Simpson who had been Ford dealers from inside the Sloane Square, London. The vehicles were mainly practical no move cages, yet not Gartrac offered uprated suspension and you will powering resources elements to the enjoy.
Right before the start of the brand new rally Dave Bignold try questioned by Ford to travel up to Clark & Simpson and you may fit butt amaze absorber turrets towards the Rauno Aaltonen’s Ford Escort 1850 GT. Installing the device is actually accomplished quickly over a sunday and you may Aaltonen’s automobile try happy to contend about rally.
On the very early 1970s, Gartrac altered Escort Mk1 bodyshells having Clark & Simpson inside the London
The fresh London area – Mexico Business Cup rally started in the Wembley Arena during the London area to the April nineteenth 1970 level everything sixteen,000 kilometers due to European countries and South america and finishing during the Mexico Urban area on may 27th 1970. The event are extremely successful to own Ford that have Hannu Mikola and you can Gunnar Hand successful the fresh rally and you will Rauno Aaltonen and you can Henry Liddon finishing 3rd.
Gartrac proceeded developing parts to the Escort Mk1 rally trucks. In early 70s another greatest victory try Hannnu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm’s 1972 Safari Rally win in the Escort RS 1600. The two perform take an early on direct that they never ever lost and you may turned the first low-African staff so you’re able to victory the fresh East African Safari Rally.
seventies – The latest Performs Escort Mk2
This type of modifications was primarily fitted shock absorber turrets, steel ripple arches and reworking axle’s. Gartrac create tailor 2-3 bodyshells each week for many age.
Gartrac is actually increasing within the profile as well as the absolute quantity of work implied which they must move from its brief working area when you look at the Farnham, Surrey. It rapidly discover a new larger working area during the Godalming, Surrey, providing them to take on a lot more staff, and for that reason the yields grew significantly.
Ford had just introduced the fresh Escort Mk2 and you may realised Gartrac’s fast growth. Ford was looking for a fabrication company which could build Escort Mk2 bodyshells and you may pieces for their really works rally party.
They wished the brand new Mk2 bodyshells to be the same that have a package regarding bits you to definitely suitable most of the auto; it was incorrect into the Mk1. For every single drivers’ auto technician would have their own notion of an informed cure for create an automible, definition no a couple automobiles could be the exact same. This brought about difficulties when repair the cars to your occurrences, given that parts failed to fit universally.
The newest work Escort Mk1 bodyshells was in fact fabricated from the Gomm Metal Developments. This type of shells had been gas welded or nickel bronzed and therefore place great temperature https://escortlook.de/en/germany/schleswig-holstein/kiel and you can worry toward question, which triggered deformation and you can fuel dilemmas. Ford wished the new Escort Mk2 to be welded by using the brand new mig welding process. Gartrac was actually playing with mig welders for some time hence aided secure a primary buy for 5 bodyshells as produced to their precise specs.
Gartrac properly finished the transaction and you will Ford is therefore proud of the caliber of the fresh artistry they instantly contracted Gartrac so you’re able to exclusively create Escort Mk2 bodyshells on the functions group.
Ford along with accredited Gartrac in order to make parts that will standardise the newest mechanic’s generate procedure. It fabricated an enormous group of parts instance axle’s, distance rods, pedalboxes, electricity tanks and you can oils tanks and you will suspension system portion.
Gartrac obtained a free reign during the time supply suggestions on just how Ford could make the vehicles top in addition they followed its recommendations a bit conveniently as the autos was indeed to be faster, stronger plus reliable.
The newest activities was indeed switching all round the day. Gartrac tends to make changes into axle to alter traction, Ford do following posting illustrations to incorporate the alterations. They’d then produce various other differences getting Tarmac and Forest programs. A similar process was utilized growing other areas like the newest motor crossmembers, sump shield set, pedalboxes and you will suspension pieces.
