Gartrac generated the basic associate having David Sutton who had been the new manager out-of Clark & Simpson who were Ford investors inside the Sloane Square, London. The cars was predominantly basic no move cages, however Gartrac offered uprated suspension system and you can running tools portion towards feel.
Just prior to the start of the fresh new rally Dave Bignold try expected of the Ford to travel around Clark & Simpson and complement bottom shock absorber turrets with the Rauno Aaltonen’s Ford Escort 1850 GT. Installing the device is actually complete rapidly over a week-end and you will Aaltonen’s automobile is ready to vie regarding rally.
In the early 1970s, Gartrac changed Escort Mk1 bodyshells for Clark & Simpson from inside the London
The latest London – Mexico Industry Cup rally started at Wembley Arena for the London area on April 19th 1970 layer up to 16,000 miles thanks to European countries and you can South america and finishing in the Mexico Area on may 27th 1970. Case is very effective getting Ford that have Hannu Mikola and Gunnar Hand successful the newest rally and Rauno Aaltonen and you will Henry Liddon completing third.
Gartrac went on development pieces for the Escort Mk1 rally automobiles. During the early 70s some other famous win is Hannnu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm’s 1972 Safari Rally winnings regarding the Escort RS 1600. The pair do grab an earlier direct that they never ever destroyed and you may became the initial low-African crew in order to win the new Eastern African Safari Rally.
70s – New Functions Escort Mk2
Such changes were primarily fitted amaze absorber turrets, metal bubble arches and reworking axle’s. Gartrac would personalize 2-step three bodyshells per week for a lot of age.
Gartrac are increasing into the profile as well as the absolute volume of functions intended that they had a need to go from the short workshop during the Farnham, Surrey. It easily receive a new larger workshop from inside the Godalming, Surrey, enabling them to take on a whole lot more teams, https://escortlook.de/en/switzerland/canton-of-solothurn/grenchen and for that reason the efficiency became significantly.
Ford had merely presented brand new Escort Mk2 and you can realised Gartrac’s fast gains. Ford needed a manufacturing providers which will make Escort Mk2 bodyshells and you may parts for their really works rally class.
They need the new Mk2 bodyshells to be the same which have a system of bits that fitted most of the automobile; it was not the case into Mk1. For every single drivers’ auto mechanic would have their own idea of an educated cure for generate an automobile, meaning zero two cars will be exact same. It brought about problems when upkeep the cars for the situations, once the bits failed to match widely.
Brand new really works Escort Mk1 bodyshells were fabricated from the Gomm Steel Advancements. These types of shells were gas welded or nickel bronzed and therefore lay great temperatures and be concerned towards issue, which triggered deformation and you will energy trouble. Ford wanted the latest Escort Mk2 getting welded making use of the the new mig welding process. Gartrac ended up being having fun with mig welders for some time and this aided safe a primary acquisition for 5 bodyshells is put on the real specification.
Gartrac duly completed the transaction and Ford is actually so happy with the standard of the fresh design it immediately developed Gartrac to help you entirely create Escort Mk2 bodyshells for the really works team.
Ford in addition to commissioned Gartrac to create pieces which will standardise new mechanic’s generate techniques. They fabricated an enormous gang of pieces like axle’s, distance rods, pedalboxes, fuel tanks and you will petroleum tanks and suspension system section.
Gartrac was given a free of charge reign at the time supply suggestions on how Ford will make the cars best as well as used the suggestions slightly conveniently because the autos were to be quicker, more powerful and a lot more reputable.
This new patterns was indeed switching day long. Gartrac would make improvement for the shaft to improve traction, Ford carry out next update drawings to include the changes. They would following establish more differences to own Tarmac and Tree apps. An identical processes was utilized to develop the rest like the brand new system crossmembers, sump shield kits, pedalboxes and you can suspension system pieces.