Fords ill fated RS1700t was a RWD development by Ford Motorsport of the new fwd Mk3 Escort. It was powered by a new turbocharged version of fords BD engine and had a unique rear mounted transaxle. Sadly the project was axed before the car made it into competition. This was due to the appearance of Audi's new 4WD quattro rally car, a result of the new group4 rules which allowed rally cars to run all wheel drive.
Several RS1700t's were built for development/testing, including a very small handfull of fully trimmed road going versions. Most where shipped to South Africa for further testing. When the plug was pulled on the project, most of the cars where sadly destroyed/scrapped by Ford. However, one or two did survive. One being Malcolm Wilsons metallic blue example. I remember seeing this very car in a Skegness Ford dealerships showroom back in the late 80's!!
A similar version of the BDT engine later went on to power the RS200 group B car. Again, ill fated and never fully developed as it appeared just prior to the ban
Malcolm Wilsons car preserved in a museum
A genuine road car currently being restored
Several RS1700t's were built for development/testing, including a very small handfull of fully trimmed road going versions. Most where shipped to South Africa for further testing. When the plug was pulled on the project, most of the cars where sadly destroyed/scrapped by Ford. However, one or two did survive. One being Malcolm Wilsons metallic blue example. I remember seeing this very car in a Skegness Ford dealerships showroom back in the late 80's!!
A similar version of the BDT engine later went on to power the RS200 group B car. Again, ill fated and never fully developed as it appeared just prior to the ban
Malcolm Wilsons car preserved in a museum
A genuine road car currently being restored
