Escort RS 1700T
Development: 1981 - 1983



The Escort that had promise.

The Ford Escort RS 1700T was under development for 2 years. The plans for the 1700T were to be the successor to the ultra successful Mk2 Escort RS1800. The RS1700T was to be entered into the up and coming Group B category for the World Rallying Championship.



This was Ford's first attempt at a turbocharged rally competition car, a brief spec below :-

1778cc, BDT engine, 200 Bhp (Road) 350 Bhp (Works), aluminum block, developed by Ford & Cosworth.

Engine mounted longitudinal unlike the transverse mounting for the Escort Mk3 road car. 

Rear Wheel Drive.

Full independent suspension all round.

Top speed 140 mph

0-60 mph 4.2 (350bhp)





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The RS 1700T Program was canceled along with the C100 Sports car project when Stewart Turner was offered control of Ford Motorsport for the Second time. This gave rise to one of Ford greatest cars the RS 200. This car to showed promise, and could of well have blitzed the World Rally scene. The group "B" category of cars was closed in the mid 80's. 
Most of the 18 RS 1700T examples were crushed, but a few remain.