Gartrac made its first friend that have David Sutton who was simply the brand new movie director off Clark & Simpson who have been Ford investors inside Sloane Rectangular, London area. The vehicles had been mainly simple without move cages, but not Gartrac offered uprated suspension system and you can powering gear areas into knowledge.
Before the beginning of new rally Dave Bignold is requested because of the Ford to visit up to Clark & Simpson and match bottom amaze absorber turrets towards the Rauno Aaltonen’s Ford Escort 1850 GT. Installing the device try completed quickly more a sunday and you will Aaltonen’s automobile try prepared to participate about rally.
Regarding early 1970s, Gartrac modified Escort Mk1 bodyshells to possess Clark & Simpson in London area
The fresh new London area – Mexico World Cup rally already been in the Wembley Arena in London towards the April nineteenth 1970 level just as much as sixteen,000 miles because of Europe and South america and finishing inside Mexico Area on may 27th 1970. The function is very successful to have Ford that have Hannu Mikola and you can Gunnar Palm profitable the fresh new rally and you can Rauno Aaltonen and you will Henry Liddon finishing 3rd.
Gartrac proceeded developing parts toward Escort Mk1 rally trucks. During the early 70s some other famous profit try Hannnu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm’s https://escortlook.de/en/austria/lower-austria 1972 Safari Rally earn about Escort RS 1600. The pair would capture an early direct that they never ever forgotten and you can turned into the initial non-African staff to win the brand new Eastern African Safari Rally.
70s – The Works Escort Mk2
Such modifications was in fact generally installing treat absorber turrets, metal ripple arches and reworking axle’s. Gartrac perform modify dos-step three bodyshells a week for a lot of decades.
Gartrac is expanding for the character therefore the absolute level of work implied that they had a need to change from its short workshop in Farnham, Surrey. It rapidly located an alternate big working area into the Godalming, Surrey, helping these to deal with way more professionals, and as a result their yields became drastically.
Ford had just introduced the newest Escort Mk2 and you will realised Gartrac’s fast progress. Ford wanted a manufacturing organization that’ll write Escort Mk2 bodyshells and you will parts because of their really works rally cluster.
They desired the fresh Mk2 bodyshells getting the same which have a system regarding parts that suitable all of the automobile; this was not the case towards Mk1. For every single drivers’ mechanic might have their particular notion of an informed means to fix make a motor vehicle, definition no several trucks could be the exact same. Which caused troubles whenever maintenance the vehicles to the occurrences, because parts did not complement widely.
This new work Escort Mk1 bodyshells had been fabricated because of the Gomm Steel Developments. These types of shells was basically energy welded otherwise nickel bronzed and that place high temperature and be concerned for the situation, hence led to deformation and you can energy dilemmas. Ford wanted the newest Escort Mk2 to get welded making use of the the latest mig welding process. Gartrac was actually playing with mig welders for some time and therefore assisted secure a primary order for five bodyshells are lead on their direct specs.
Gartrac properly completed the order and you may Ford is actually thus proud of the quality of the latest workmanship they immediately contracted Gartrac so you can solely produce Escort Mk2 bodyshells towards works group.
Ford together with accredited Gartrac which will make bits which will standardise the fresh new mechanic’s make processes. It fabricated a large set of pieces such as for example axle’s, radius rods, pedalboxes, strength tanks and you will oils tanks and you can suspension section.
Gartrac was given a no cost rule during the time to give suggestions on how Ford could make the vehicles ideal in addition they adopted the guidance somewhat easily given that cars have been to be faster, healthier plus reliable.
The fresh habits was basically altering for hours. Gartrac will make variations for the axle to switch traction, Ford carry out following update illustrations to include the changes. They would after that build additional differences getting Tarmac and you may Tree software. A comparable techniques was applied to grow the rest such as for example the system crossmembers, sump shield establishes, pedalboxes and you will suspension system pieces.