Gartrac made its basic friend which have David Sutton who was the fresh director out-of Clark & Simpson who have been Ford traders in the Sloane Rectangular, London. The cars was mostly standard and no move cages, however Gartrac offered uprated suspension and you may running methods parts to your enjoy.
Right before the beginning of this new rally Dave Bignold are questioned of the Ford to travel as much as Clark & Simpson and complement bottom treat absorber turrets towards the Rauno Aaltonen’s Ford Escort 1850 GT. Installing the device are done rapidly more than a weekend and you can Aaltonen’s vehicles try willing to vie throughout the rally.
In the early 70s, Gartrac altered Escort Mk1 bodyshells having Clark & Simpson when you look at the London
The new London area – Mexico World Mug rally become from the Wembley Arena inside London area towards the April nineteenth 1970 coating everything sixteen,000 kilometers by way of Europe and you will South america and doing inside the Mexico Area on may 27th 1970. The function is actually most successful to possess Ford that have Hannu Mikola and you can Gunnar https://escortlook.de/en/switzerland/canton-of-bern/langenthal Palm winning the fresh rally and Rauno Aaltonen and you will Henry Liddon doing 3rd.
Gartrac continued development parts towards the Escort Mk1 rally cars. During the early 70s other well-known victory try Hannnu Mikkola and you may Gunnar Palm’s 1972 Safari Rally winnings about Escort RS 1600. The pair do capture a young direct that they never ever forgotten and you will turned into the first low-African staff to help you earn the fresh new Eastern African Safari Rally.
1970s – The new Work Escort Mk2
This type of changes had been generally fitting amaze absorber turrets, steel bubble arches and reworking axle’s. Gartrac carry out tailor 2-3 bodyshells a week for a number of age.
Gartrac is expanding for the reputation as well as the natural level of really works meant which they needed to go from the short workshop within the Farnham, Surrey. It quickly found a new big workshop for the Godalming, Surrey, enabling them to accept even more professionals, and thus the returns became considerably.
Ford got merely presented new Escort Mk2 and realised Gartrac’s fast development. Ford was looking for a manufacturing team which will develop Escort Mk2 bodyshells and you will parts because of their performs rally people.
They wanted this new Mk2 bodyshells to get similar with a package out-of parts that suitable all the car; it was not the case into the Mk1. For each drivers’ auto mechanic will have their own concept of a knowledgeable way to build an automible, definition zero a few autos are the exact same. So it caused difficulties when upkeep the cars to the situations, as the pieces didn’t fit widely.
The fresh works Escort Mk1 bodyshells was basically fabricated by the Gomm Steel Developments. Such shells had been gas welded or nickel bronzed and that set higher heat and worry toward procedure, which triggered deformation and you will stamina trouble. Ford wished this new Escort Mk2 becoming welded using the the new mig welding processes. Gartrac was having fun with mig welders for some time and that assisted safer a primary buy for five bodyshells become brought on the accurate specification.
Gartrac duly done the order and you will Ford is very proud of the caliber of the artistry it quickly contracted Gartrac so you’re able to only build Escort Mk2 bodyshells toward works group.
Ford together with commissioned Gartrac in order to make bits which will standardise the newest mechanic’s create process. It fabricated a giant gang of pieces such as for instance axle’s, radius rods, pedalboxes, strength tanks and you may petroleum tanks and you will suspension system areas.
Gartrac got a free of charge leadership at that time giving suggested statements on just how Ford will make the cars better plus they accompanied the suggestions some conveniently due to the fact trucks was in fact to be shorter, more powerful and much more reputable.
The brand new models was basically modifying for hours. Gartrac would make changes on the shaft to alter grip, Ford do then modify drawings to incorporate the alterations. They’d next establish various other distinctions to possess Tarmac and you will Tree programs. An equivalent techniques was utilized growing the rest such as the newest engine crossmembers, sump shield sets, pedalboxes and you can suspension system parts.
