1993 Ford Escort Cosworth WRC Sainz Repsol Tribute
HIGHLIGHTS
USA Titled and Registered
Motorsport Cosworth - Modern With Period Livery
Repsol Livery From 1997 Monte Carlo Rally Event
Fresh Engine, Drivetrain, Ohlins Suspension, Tires
SPECIFICATIONS
VIN - XXXXXXX
Engine – 2.0L, Four Cylinder, Turbo
Gearbox – 5 Speed Manual
Drivetrain - Front engine, AWD
Price - SOLD
OVERVIEW
After many successful years from 1993 through 1996 competing in Grp A with the Escort Cosworth RS, Ford pushed the Escort Cosworth into the 1997-1998 seasons by gaining acceptance from the FIA to adapt the existing car to the new WRC rulebook. New front and rear bodywork, with a massive change to the rear spoiler set-up allowed the car to be competitive for two more seasons while the upcoming Focus was in final development for the 1999 season.
There were a number of important people, drivers, and cars that came out of this period of Ford Motorsport. Without question Carlos Sainz was near the top of that list for his ability to achieve podium results consistently with the Repsol liveried Escort Cosworth WRC car during the 1997 season. Hence the visual basis for our car here today…
Originally built up in Denmark, the car competed in asphalt stage rally for six years. It was then sold to a privateer in Sweden where is ran in Swedish National Rally for another 12 years off and on. The shell was refurbished in 2018 with current mechanical build specs. Since then it has very limited road use, and no rally events.
Original shell is a Motorsport car from the factory – stripped down, no sunroof, manual windows, no air conditioning, no insulation, pre-prepped for racing. Built up as a very light car in the current configuration, it features WRC bodywork – front and rear bumpers, rear spoiler, front fenders, aux light pod, 12-point roll cage, GrpA bits.
The car uses some contemporary items that are more reliable and accessible than the Ford 909 Motorsport parts would be in modern competition. Custom front uprights with Audi 200 bearings and custom control arms. BMW 188 rear axle and diff, hardened driveshafts throughout. AP Racing 4 piston brakes with 295mm discs at all four corners. Adjustable roll bar. Ohlins external reservoir suspension (2-way). Short steering gears. MT75 gearbox with dog ring gearset from Fixit. Stiffened center diff. Car weighs approximately 1125kg (2480 lbs.). Wheels are modern Compomotive TH 18x8 alloy wheels, with fresh Michelin Cup 2 race tires – 225/40-18.
The engine uses a 200 Block with ARP bolt kit, Mahle Motorsport bearings, Copper WRC headgasket, Carillo Pistons, K1 rods, double valve springs. Enem Z29 camshafts, adjustable cam sprockets, lightened flywheel with Sachs 765 clutch, Bosch injectors, custom intake manifold, T35 Turbo, WRC intercooler, Anti-lag system (ALS), Motul lubricants, Haltech Sport 2000 ECU and Dash Display. With dyno sheets showing 315hp at the wheels, we are estimating 375-400hp at the crank in current spec with moderate 1.5 bar boost level.
On the interior, there are new Sparco Race seats and 6-point Sabelt harnesses fitted, battery box, Haltech dash, two fire extinguishers, quick release steering wheel, and OMP Professional transit headsets with amplifier.
Repsol Livery – Fashioned after the 1997 Monte Carlo Rally event car as driven by Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya (WRC Chassis #004, P6 FMC).
Why We Love This Car
We have been huge fans of the Ford Escort Cosworth from the beginning. With the largest number of direct and brokered sales of Escort Cosworths in North America, we have been waiting to build a car like this. The opportunity presented itself and we jumped full in.
There was never a question on the Repsol livery for us, it is one of the most iconic from the period. On a build like this the details matter, and we worked hard to blend modern with period correctness. The car has been a rally car from day one, not a road car recently converted. As such, it has been through the development phase and presents as a sorted and reliable rally car. The chassis is on the higher end of the spectrum for condition amongst other rally cars – the car shows no signs of ever been rolled, wrapped around a tree, or any other racing shunts.
While we would see this car being used as more of a fun collectible toy – track day events, showing up at your local regional rally as a spectator to blow minds, a few back road early morning runs, etc., the car can also be adapted to run true rally events again as desired. The car has FIA papers, Swedish FIA log book, and certified Sparco roll cage.
We get the pleasure to deal with some of the most wonderful cars in the world through our doors. This one will be deeply missed on a personal level – it is the realization of a dream that was 20+ years in the making. Please send postcards as you have fun with it!
Please contact Jason Harris at +1-206-355-7727 for more information on this 1993 Ford Escort Cosworth WRC Sainz Repsol Tribute for sale.
