Background
1968 is the important year as far as blue oval rally fans are concerned, as this year saw the launch of the Escort Twin Cam.
The Escort’s future in rallying was quickly cemented, as it secured wins on the Circuit of Ireland, Dutch Tulip, Austrian Alpine, Acropolis, Scottish and the Finnish 1000 Lakes rally and in so doing took the manufacturer’s title in its debut year. In 1969, the wins kept coming, as the Escort once again took the championship.
Further success came in 1970, when the Escort truly dominated arguably the toughest event in the world at the time, the London to Mexico World Cup Rally. When the cars finished in 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 8th, it prompted Ford to release the iconic ‘Mexico’.
Shortly afterwards Ford replaced the Twin-Cam, with the RS1600, this upgrade further enhanced the car’s rallying pedigree as it secured wins on the RAC Rally in 1972,’73 and ’74, and on that year’s Scottish Rally every position in the top ten was occupied by an RS1600. The Escort was also a highly adaptable car, a trait demonstrated by securing wins in the mixed rallying and racing Tour of Britain in 1974,’75 and ’76.
This car
BRM 730K was originally owned and driven with much success by Malcolm Wilson. Malcolm Wilson’s first rally at the age of 17 was a local club rally in Cumbria, the Peak Rev’s Rally where he finished 9th overall and 1st Novice. Out of eight starts he had three class wins and three seconds finishing all eight events Malcolm went on to do over 100 events in BRM 730K his last one being the 1977 Tyneside Stages. Malcolm didn’t finish this event as he had a soft roll and BRM was retired, repaired and stored in the workshop before being sold to the 2nd owner on in March 1979.
The current owner purchased the car in 1994 and stored it until a full restoration was started in 2018. The car has been restored to current FIA Group 2 Historic Specification using original or period accurate parts. The car has been liveried in Malcolm Wilson racing colours.
Technical specifications
Engine: Dolphin Motorsport Ford Lotus Twin Cam, all Steel, big Valve, dry sump, rally Spec Engine.
Induction system: Twin Weber 45 DCOE’s.
Transmission: 4 Speed Close Ratio Rocket Gear Box with Alloy Hydraulic Bellhousing.
Final drive: Squires Semi Floating 5:1 Thick Tube Atlas Axle, ZF L.S.D.
Brakes: Girling Twin Pot Calipers.