The World's Most Famous MkII Escort

Rallying royalty has sent the Rossendale Ford Escort RS1800 sideways up and down the years on the Otago Classic Rally. Find out more about a handful of the legendary drivers that have been lucky enough to get behind the wheel of the most famous MKII Escort.
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[@mrz5705]

I had the ultimate experience of my life at the age of 16 as I sat next to Jimmy (and the late Pentti) in 1978 as they tested their Chevettes on a hot sunny day near Esgair Dafydd. One of those days where you kept pinching yourself. Now in 2022 aged 60 I live alone just trying to keep warm like millions of others.

[@bluestorm3895]

Well Mr Z,that is awesome and you are right to be proud mate !

[@andrewdobbie6526]

Could watch these old escorts all day so much more entertaining than the modern rally.

[@Ecosse57]

100% agree.

[@whatrallymatters]

Awesome car, Michele Mouton what a legend, 1981 when the Ford Escort MK2 ruled the world.

[@padmundo]

Ari Vatanan is an absolute gent of a man. Had the honour of meeting him a few years back. Willing to talk to any fans and an incredible sense of humour to boot.

[@jeffskillman6161]

Probably not the most famous Escort in the world but the title achieved its objective - I watched it and it was very good. Vatenan's Rothmans Escort or Clark's Cossack Escort are probably better known just to mention 2.

[@AntonyClayton-eq1ul]

Could add Hannu Mikkola's Eatons Yale Escort to that list as well.

[@inishfree34riviera15]

100% or the MCD Vatanen said was the fastest

[@georgec2126]

Superb! I saw a sticker on a Mk 2 once, which said: 'Liable to go sideways at any time'. 😄

[@soendjastimurkantitjipto408]

Ford MK 2, the legendary Rally car that never dies... Anyone who drives, must have above average abilities....

[@gothicpagan.666]

Surely the most famous/legendary escorts would be the Rothmans sponsored or the black MCD accident at every other corner versions.

[@grahamfrench7003]

There is not much to beat a BD series engine on full throttle in the forest - Superb.

[@mrdunns3338]

Well, at the end of November, you can do that when the Roger Albert Clark Rally runs again, loads of stages in Wales, Dumfries and Galloway and Kielder. Not just the Escorts, but loads of other great stuff, unseeded entry list to be published on-line this Sunday, 19th March.

[@leensteed7861]

Love the old escorts. Got quite a bit of loving done in them too lol!

[@fanaticjay3825]

Ford Escort is almost the start of legendary rally drivers cars. Michelle Moutoun, Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vataten to name a few

[@sugarnads]

Michelle mouton started rallying in an ex works Renault Alpine A110s. I dont think she EVER drove an escort when she at her peak.

[@chapel976]

Love to see Jimmy still out and about. And with a broken rib to boot! Legend.

[@m-arky66]

EUW 939V & STW 201R

[@mrdunns3338]

How about doing an article on the most famous Mk1 Escort RHD LVX 942J or the LHD LVX 941J ? They were so well used, a bit like Grandad's old hammer, or Trigger's broom from OFAH. LAR 800P may be a close contender for the most famous Mk 2?

[@oliveringram3056]

POO 504 R.......

[@joe5boost]

Frank Kelly wants his video title back

[@danielosborne8785]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@HappyDayGarage]

Nice video and absolute legend of a car! Definitely one of dream cars of mine 🥲

[@Stickleback]

This is a great video! full of legendary rally drivers

[@maxbremond]

Michelle mouton grande professionnelle le tope de cet annees adorrable 😢championne inoubliables souvenirs tu et dans le coeurs des français ❤❤❤❤

[@fernandes5986]

Most iconic rally car ever.

[@firsttitlegaming3156]

Love the old escorts got so much character

[@TimSmith-yd9kw]

STW 201R or POO 504R definitely more well known than this one

[@enzoagustins4532]

Hola desde Montevideo Uruguay 🇺🇾💘 qué placer ver estos coches impecable 💝💖👍

[@Syxty9yN]

Legendary car. Am still trying to get my hands on one.

[@twincamGT]

Jimmy never seen him in a escort before himself and ari both legends two of the best 👏 wat car was this is it actually a x works car or a just a historic spec driven by famous 80s drivers

[@robertmiller2173]

Such a great city Dunedin; its fantastic! It has the best University in Australasia, Magnificent buildings and history!

[@sugarnads]

Hate to break it to you but Sydney University is in Sydney. Not Dunedin.

[@trevorwhitham6742]

I think the classic mini is adorable you can put it in your pocket and take it home with you

[@PaulieMac77]

Wow i never really new how many famous bums had been behind the wheel of that Escort. Hopefully you'll be back for next years Rally Otago Dirtfish?

[@MrKips1]

No other escort sounds as good as the 1800 BDA with the proper, manual box. None!

[@stevesloan6775]

Awesome video! I would of like to hear about the specs of the car… engines hp etc.

[@Vadelma7654-pn5os]

I LIKED IT.. MOSTLY FINNISH DRIVERS TIMO MAKINEN, MIKKOLA. VATANEN AND AIRIKKALA.. AND EWEN GUYS NAMED KYOSTI HAMALAINEN AND ANTERO LAINE INCLOUDING LASSE LAMPI

[@michaeledwards427]

Shame that the video or some of the comments haven't mentioned Roger Clark and the cossack escort mk2.

[@shbmotorsportsproductions9781]

Now it's Fanga Dan Woodhouse,s turn this weekend at 2022 Winmax Rally Otago

[@EleanorPeterson]

Truisms: 1). No smoke without fire. 2). No Escort without sideways.

[@maxbremond]

Un amours de coccinelle. Bisous souvenirs tous le mondes pours tois❤❤❤❤❤😅😅😮

[@doric_historic]

When in doubt, get the Escort out...

[@TheRebelOne.]

IB 780....Never heard of it until now, nuff said!

[@MrAdam8484]

It's a made up plate, meaning Ian and Brent. Not an ex works car.

[@TheRebelOne.]

@@MrAdam8484 Good to know, thanks!

[@johnpap675]

Wait there are 2 Markko Martins?

[@andyw8533]

He liked it so much the first time, that we had him back a second time when Colin Clark came to watch. Markko won the Otago Classic on his second attempt

[@cezelipatrick]

Hardly the most famous Escort as a few others have mentioned. Obviously a lot of great drivers have sat in it which is cool but I’ll be honest this is my first time seeing this car 😬. I think Frank’s car would be most well known at this point but, again, the Rothmans cars would be better known.

[@colinmunro7337]

Simion Mckinnleys White Mk 2?

[@Vadelma7654-pn5os]

TIMO MAKINEN. ROGER CLARK. ARI VATANEN. HANNU MIKKOLA. MALCOLM WILSON. BJORN WALDEGARD.

[@philco7044]

FEV 1H , POO 504R , POO 505R , FEV 1T .

[@roymass1300]

What year ESCORT.ARE THESE.IM NEW HERE.

[@jimspeed1388]

Mk2 was made from 1975 to 1980.

[@markthibault8579]

If that car could only talk, eh? Now, wouldn't it be nice to have a modern-day equivalent available? Toyota and Subaru, would you mind creating a 4dr sedan/saloon/wagon/hatch on the GR86/BRZ platform? That would be awesome.

[@grasub1]

Black beauty at her best. What a machine. I. Was there when she was born. Lovely.

[@aussietruckphotosandmodels8510]

Good video but.....I think you'll find Frank and Lauren Kelly have The World's Most Famous rally MK 11 Escort " Baby Blue"...

[@petermc2183]

Great car but Frank's car doesn't run a Ford engine so isn't a classic legend

[@aussietruckphotosandmodels8510]

@@petermc2183 The title says ' The world's most famous MK ll Escort... It doesn't mention anything about it requiring a Ford Engine And if you're going to split hairs it was never a Ford factory option to have Racetec seats, roll cage, Salisbury diff etc etc Nor would the average person have been able to get a BDA RS version from the local dealer

[@sugarnads]

Sorry but aris rothmans escort is waaay more famous than some bloke called kelleys'

[@phillipusmalan8841]

What engine was in the mk2? Definitely not a 1600 kent

[@aswclassicsdorset1743]

The RS1800, which had a naturally aspirated 1,833 cc (1.8 L; 111.9 cu in) Cosworth BDE DOHC 4 valves per cylinder with a 32/36 DGAV Weber carburetor inline-four engine, producing 117 PS (86 kW; 115 bhp) at 6000 rpm and 171 N⋅m (126 lb⋅ft) of torque at 3750 rpm.

[@juhaninurminen8979]

​​@@aswclassicsdorset1743 Over 220 hp have that motorversion ! 2000 cc have maybe 250 hp with injection versions !! 2 x 2 Weber 45mm carburettor 1800 cc and 2000 cc 48 mm Weber 2 x 2 !! They are race cars !😂!

[@aswclassicsdorset1743]

@@juhaninurminen8979 I was taking in standard form as left the factory not in tuned form

[@juhaninurminen8979]

@@aswclassicsdorset1743 OK,,here in Finland it has not been standard with this engine,only in racing !! New information,,thanks to You 😉!

[@aswclassicsdorset1743]

@@juhaninurminen8979 Did my 5 year mechanics apprenticeship with a Ford main dealer 1970 to 75 when Escorts, Cortina's, Capri's etc were being built loved working on them

[@adrianwilliams3521]

top man ari

[@kylerobertson3606]

Pretty Poor that you completely overlook former WRC champion Didier Auriol 2014 Rally Otago. Come on Guys!

[@MrKips1]

The Mk2 Escort was all done in WRC when he started rallying.

[@richarddutchholland4780]

POO 504R

[@oliveringram3056]

Sorry to disagree, but my "Most famous Escort" has to belong to Steve Bannister. used to drive hundreds of miles to see that going through the Yorkshire forests.

[@Chunkychucky]

Clicked for a video of Colin McRae’s Mk 2 Escort, saw instead an Escort I’ve never even seen before…. Some fame this car must have!

[@sugarnads]

And why would colin mcraes escort be more famous than vatanens rothmans escort the black one he drove?

[@98Blackbess]

I wouldn't say this particular car is the "The World's Most Famous MkII Escort". Maybe in 'DirtFish's' personal opinion but certainly not everyone's. I think Frank kelly's MkII Escort is more famous, but, that is only my personal opinion.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Franks is the best known modern Escort. But remember it is only a few years old. Not 50! Here in Oz there is a couple of very well known Escorts, both the Colin Bond cars.

[@juhaninurminen8979]

Is Escort 1981 MM Ari Vatanen master year's best known car ?😊?

[@bryanfoster8936]

He need a Millington 2.5

[@Vadelma7654-pn5os]

I LIKED IT.....

[@chazsach6594]

Spoilt by the drivelling background music.

[@peteryokahui]

im back again guys for 2 days, i got barred for 2 days on facebook

[@hansmatthia32]

Never seen baby blue in action

[@petermc2183]

It's super fast but it runs a post classic modern "Millington" engine not the BDA/BDD ford

[@farisabdulla9417]

Bjorn warlgaard missing here

[@paulnutter1713]

never heard of it..... black beauty.... poo...... monte escorts..... all more famous

[@markmclean4897]

You’ve gotta luv a Brenda

[@bigtoepapa]

Smiles.....For Miles.......

[@gorsmy]

DKP191 T is the best known mk2 escort

[@stonefly514]

Any Sutton prepared cars....!

[@testicat8462]

Michele mouton is 100% best driver of all time what a beast

[@Moggy471]

A widowmaker.

[@jean-pauladam6803]

Would have been much better without that stupid music...

[@jamesmccleary8146]

the cossack escourt

[@johngorton5468]

I don't remember Michelle Mouton driving an Escort.....on which event?

[@blairwalton4456]

The International classic rally of Otago in NZ

[@richardonyoni8015]

She also drove a Mk1 Ford Escort during the 2003 East African Safari Rally.

[@donbrashsux]

Great seeing her drive anything

[@therealknapster]

Deffo a Private Built none works Rothman's sponsored is the most famous STW registered and none of these

[@ВолодимирГоловаченко]

...so much...

[@棚からぼた餅-u4g]

Japanresaleescort🎉

[@jimmac9557]

would love to have watched this...but cannot do with that whiney, arm waving jock...spoils a good video every time

[@MidnightFumes]

By far the not the most famous Mk2 Escort. You Americans need to stay away from Rally history.