From Twincam to World Rally Car, the Ford Escort as modeled in 1/43 diecast.
Escort MK 1
Here we look at the most famous rallycar of all time, the Escort as produced
by 1/43 diecasters, Vitesse, Trofeu, and Minichamps.
As is traditional with many model companies, the yearly catalogue gives us a
glance at what to expect in the coming year, but many do not deliver the goods
that year. The Escort Mk1 first appeared in sketch form in Trofeu's 1992 catalogue,
and in subsequent yearly catalogues until finally appearing in early 1995. But
it was well worth the long wait !
As is traditional with Trofeu, the sporty versions of the road cars came first,
and they were excellent. They came with photo etched wipers, chrome door mirrors,
door handles, detailed interior, and accurate wheels.
The 1300GT was first to be produced, 501 was the RHDBritish registered 1968
Spring yellow road car, the number plate was inaccurate as it reflected a 1980
registered car, but otherwise it was perfect for the price. The sister cars,
were 502 a LHD Jade Green Metalic road car, and 503 a LHD Royal Blue road car.
Next up in engine size was the MEXICO, named after the car that won the 1970
World Cup Rally from London to Mexico in 1970. 506 was the RHD red version,
while 507 was the white LHD white version. Both had minilite wheels, the correct
stripe and half bumpers. Top of the range was the RS2000, with a white RHD roadcar
as 510, and a silver with black vinyl roof version LHD roadcar as 511. Both
had four spoke RS alloy wheels. The last of the sporty roadcars, was a RHD bubble
arched white RS1600, with blue stripes, as 514. Last, but not least, in 1998
model 523 appeared, this was a 1300GT, in the livery of a British Police Panda
car.
The first of the rally cars to be modelled were
the 1600 Twin Cams, which made their competition debut in 1968. All of the works
rally cars, from the Cortina through to Escort Cosworth were Essex registered,
as Fords Competitions Dept were based at Boreham Airfield in the county. Thus
the registration letters, AR, EV, HJ, HK, JN, NO, OO, PU, TW, VW, VX, WC became
linked to the works cars for over three decades.
Their first international event was the 1968 Sanremo Rally, on which current
Toyota Team Europe supremo Ove Andersson and John Davenport finished third overall,
this 1600TC was modelled as 504.
The Twin Cam's first win was in April of that year, in the hands of Roger Clark
and Jim Porter on the "1968 Circuit of Ireland" in their 1600TC, this was modelled
as 505.
They had a good couple of months, winning the Tulip Rally later in April, and
during May also the Acropolis Rally in Greece. The later car was modelled as
509.
In July, a young Finn called Hannu Mikkola was signed up by the Ford team, it
was not long before he won his first event, the '68 1000 Lakes in an Escort,
this was modeled as 508.
Trade visitors to the 1996 Nurburing Toy Fair were treated to a limited run
of an Escort model on a plinth. A limited run of 120 cars, modelled on XOO 262F,
as used as the recce car for the route of the 1970 London-Mexico Rally were
given away to trade customers. The model featured two minilite wheel/tyres mounted
on the roof, and bars from the top of the windscreen to the strut tops as featured
on the works cars that competed on the event. Mounted on the usual black base,
complete with plaque inscribed "Trofeu, 47 Internationale Spielwarenmesse, Nurenberg
1/2 - 7/2 1996" and the model number of the 120 produced. Needless to say this
is a very rare model indeed. These were the only works, non bubble arched cars
produced by Trofeu.
The last model produced, was of a non works RS 2000, that sponsored by "Rica
Lewis", and driven by Giovanni Salvi on the 1977 Rally of Portugal. That was
model 522, produced in July 1996.
The Bubble Arched Works Rally Cars
Adopted in early 1968, and homologated later in that year, these extra wide
"bubble" wheel arched shells allowed wider tyres to be fitted. They were standard
on all of the subsequent works Mk1 rally cars.
First of the rally cars modeled by Trofeu, was the unsponsored Twin Cam used
by J.F.Piot / Jean Todt. on the 1969 Monte Carlo Rally, this was 516. Other
Monte Carlo cars followed, the 1972 B.P. sponsored car of J.F.Piot was 524,
and the 1973 Shell sponsored car of Hannu Mikkola 518.
The 1970 World Cup rally, from London to Mexico, was a marathon trek covering
16,000 miles over six weeks. Ford entered a total of seven cars on the event,
this is how Mexico branding for the "sporty" Escort of the day originated. One
of the most famous Escorts of all time won the event with Hannu Mikkola at the
wheel. The car modeled by Trofeu, was that winner, FEV 1H, it was as it appeared
on the Finish ramp, with the decals "Finland" added over the bonnet. This was
model 512.
To celebrate the twenty fifth anniversary of the event, in 1995 it was run again,
and the same team of Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm won the event. A "new" Mk1
Escort was built for them, which Ford somehow managed to register H1 FEV to
mirror the original car. Trofeu issued this model as 513.
One of the most gruelling events of the World Rally Championship is the Safari
Rally. On Ford's first attempt in 1971, they entered a team of six cars, the
"East African Gazette" sponsored car of Vic Preston, complete with bullbars
was modelled as 521.
The following year, Hannu Mikkola won the event
in a Shell sponsored RS1600. This actual car is now owned by M-Sport boss, and
current preparer of the Ford Focus rally car, Malcolm Wilson. The model by Trofeu,
complete with extra spotlamps and bull bar, was modelled as 515.
The RAC Rally was won for virtually the whole of the 1970's by Ford Escorts.
Roger Clark started the run off, in 1972, in a car affectionately known as "Esso
Blue", in allegiance to its Esso Uniflo sponsorship. This was model 517. Ford
entered seven cars on the 1973 event, Timo Makkinen won in a "Milk Marketing
Board" sponsored car, this was 520.
Another seven car team was entered on the 1974 event, again won by Timo Makinen,
this time sponsored by "Colibri Cigarette Lighters", and modelled as 519. This
was the last year of the Mk1 Escort, the new Mk2 version was to be debuted on
the 1975 Welsh Rally in the hands of Roger Clarke, which of course it won first
time out. "The Twin Cam Racers" - The 1600TC was also a successful track car,
it won the 1968 British Championship in the hands of Frank Gardner. This red
/ gold Alan Mann Racing car was modelled as 525. Other versions planned to be
released during 1999 include the Broadspeed Escorts of John Fitzpatrick (to
be 526), and the 1600TC once used by Jackie Stewart at Silverstone in 1970 (to
be 527) .
There have also been a number of Code 1 Promotionals produced in limited numbers.
SPE 001 was produced for Spiedel modelauto in Germany. The car was driven by
Peter Mucke, raced in the ADAC Youngtimer Series, and was sponsored by Divinol
Oils as a limited run of 333 models. SPE 002 was a very similar version, still
sponsored by Divinol Oils, but this time crewed by Mucke / Ruch / Lohr.
The Trofeu Importer for the Netherlands, Replicars have commissioned them to
produce the "Chevron Oils" sponsored1600TC as raced by Gilbert Stapelaere in
Belgium. This will be available in limited numbers, as model REP 06, from November.
Table 1 charts all the MK1's produced by Trofeu.
Table 1. Escort MK1 Models.
| Model Number |
Rally / Driver |
| 501-1300 GT |
Yellow Roadcar |
| 502-1300 GT |
Green Roadcar |
| 503-1300 GT |
Blue Roadcar |
| 504-1600 TC |
Sanremo 1968 / O.Anderson |
| 505-1600 TC |
Circuit of Ireland 1968 / R.Clark |
| 506-Mexico |
Red Roadcar |
| 507-Mexico |
White Roadcar |
| 508-1600 TC |
1000 Lakes 1968 / H.Mikkola |
| 509-1600 TC |
Acropolis 1968 / R.Clark |
| 510-RS2000 |
White Roadcar |
| 511-RS2000 |
Silver roadcar |
| 512-1850TC |
London-Mexico 1970 / H.Mikkola |
| 513-1850TC |
London-Mexico 1995 / H.Mikkola |
| 514-RS1600 |
Racing roadcar |
| 515-RS1600 |
East African Safari 1972 / H.Mikkola |
| 516-1600TC |
Monte Carlo 1969 / J.F.Piot |
| 517-RS1600 |
RAC 1972 / R.Clark |
| 518-RS1600 |
Monte 1973/ H.Mikkola |
| 519-RS1600 |
RAC 1974 / H.Mikkola |
| 520-RS1600 |
RAC 1973 / H.Mikkola |
| 521-1600TC |
East African Safari 1971 / V.Preston |
| 522-RS2000 |
Portugal 1977 / G.Salvi |
| 523-1300GT |
Panda Car |
| 524-RS1600 |
Monte Carlo 1972 / J.F.Piot |
| 525-1600TC |
Alan Mann Racing F.Gardner |
| 526-RS1600 |
Broadspeed / J.Fitzpatrick |
| 527-1600TC |
Bradspeed / J.Stewart |
| SPE01-1600TC |
Zakspeed / P.Mucke |
| SPE02-1600TC |
Zakspeed / P.Mucke / E.Lohr / G.Ruch |
| REP06-1600TC |
Chevron / G.Stapelaere |
Trofeu‘s Ford Escort RS2000 Droop Snoot
The Roadcars
The standard issue road cars were produced first by Trofeu, these were produced
in RHD for the UK market, and LHD for the continental market, with the correct
interior, and also the windscreen wipers having the correct sweep for both versions.
Roadcars produced were : 1801r-Venetian red, 1801w-Diamond White, 1803y-Signal
Yellow with black vinyl roof and also 1803r –Venetian Red with black vinyl
roof. Also available, produced in June 2005 , but unlike the roadcars was produced
in a limited number of 1200 only, was 1806 – Merseyside Police, this was
their RS2000 Police Car , complete with steel rostyle wheels, roof mounted beacon,
and POLICE sign on the front grill.
The Competition Cars
Official Releases - The 1976 Tour of Britain Rally, comprised circuit
races and special stages around the United Kingdom, Ford Motor Company entered
three official Group 1 spec RS2000’s cars , the Allied Polymer sponsored
one of Ari Vatanen, Wigam Poland sponsored one of Roger Clark and the Ralgex
sponsored one of Timo Makinen.. Ari Vatanen won the event in OVX431P, this was
modelled as TR1802 by Trofeu. Other versions were 1804 the KWS sponsored car
of Bernard Beguin from the 1979 Monte Carlo Rally, and also from the same event
in 1980, 1805 the ESSO sponsored car of Alain Beauchef.
Code 1 Limited Editions - These have all been produced in limited
numbers (Usually 500) by Trofeu for its various importers in each European Country.
For the Portuguese Importer, these have been of their best placed local driver
on the Rally of Portugal.,.Speidel Model Auto in Germany have also had versions
produced,numbered SPE.
Code 2 Limited Editions - These are Trofeu supplied base models,
refinished with Trofeu’s knowledge by another company. Scala 43 have produced
two versions of the JAGERMEISTER liveried race car, Sca02a is Competition number
42, while Sca02b is Competition number 52. These aftermarket wheels and tyres
added, and were limited to 500 models in total.
We (www.rallymodels.co.uk) produced the 1976 Tour of Britain RS2000 of Ari
Vatanen 6 months before the Trofeu version, N00895P the Wigam Poland RS2000
of Roger Clark was also produced, this was GB 24 John Taylor entered the same
event in OVX430P, the Haynes of Maidstone sponsored car, this was GB27.
Code 3 Limited Editions - These are Trofeu models with aftermarket
decals added. Kitcar43 of Spain have produced decals to be used as on the rs2000.
Escort MK 2
The 1995 Trofeu catalogue enticed us with sketches of Escort MK2 rally cars,
but as is tradition they have still not appeared, but are rumoured to be launched
in 2000. They are expected to launch the roadcar version very soon, with versions
planned of the 1100 Popular, 1300 Ghia, 1600 Sport, 1600 Harrier, Mexico and
the RS 1800. If they are as good as the MK 1, they will be well worth the wait
!
Escort RS Cosworth
This was the direct replacement for the Sierra RS Cosworth 4X4, Ford's rallying
weapon that was covered in the previous edition of "Motor Sport Collector".
It won first time out, when debuted on the Talvera Rally in Spain during 1991
in the hands of current "works" Citroen driver Jesus Puras. It debuted on the
World Championship on the 1993 Monte Carlo, and it nearly won in the hands of
Francois Delecour. Two more events later, Francois won the Rally of Portugal.
Ford came second in the World Series in 1993.
The Works team
German model company Paul's Model Art, through their Minichamps brand, launched
the 1/43 Escort RS Cosworth during 1995. A well proportioned model, with full
interior, rollcage, and spot on decals. The only minor complaint, the rally
cars featured twin round moulded headlamps, which on the models were decals
over the roadcar headlamps, instead of moulded vesions.
First model to be produced was 938200, that used by Francois Delecour on the
1993 Monte Carlo Rally.
Other works cars from the 1994 season followed, 948106 the 1994 Monte Carlo
winning car of Francois Delecour, 948108 Giesse sponsored car of Bruno Thiry
from Monte Carlo, 948104 as used by Miki Biasion on Rally of Portugal, and 948107
the1000 Lakes car of Tommi Makinen. Ford finished third in that years series,
behind the likes of Toyota and Subaru.
Minichamps did not produce any of the 1995 Works cars, Ford had a bad year when
the team was run by Belgian team RAS, finishing behind Subaru and Toyota again.
The Escorts were back to being prepared at Boreham in 1996, Carlos Sainz had
joined the team complete with Repsol budget, his car used on the Swedish Rally
was limited to 4,444 models and came as 968203.
The works Escort Cosworth may not have been the most successful cars in the
World Championship, but as with the Sierra, it excelled in National championships,
winning countless events all over the world. Needless to say, many of these
cars were modelled by Minichamps.
The 1995 Italian Champion was Franco Cunico in a Martini sponsored version,
the car he used on the Mille Miglia of that year was 958203.
The Belgian International Series was also dominated by Escorts in the mid 1990's.
A limited run of 2000 models each of the top cars in the championship, in special
"Belgian Team" boxes was produced. Patrick Sniyers used a Bastos Cigarettes
sponsored car to win the European Championship in 1994, this was 948201. Gordon
Spooner Engineering built many of the top Cosworth's in their hayday, including
the following three Belgian cars. 938202 was the Boxys Jeans sponsored car of
Robert Droogmans, 948205 was the Crack (A furniture store in Ypres) sponsored
car of Paul Lietaer, and 948206 the Rizla Cigarettes sponsored car of Renauld
Verreydt. These four models are amongst rarest of the Escort Cosworths.
Rarer still, was a special display box version of the Cosworth used by Bruno
Thiry on the 1996 Condroz Rally in Belgium. Limited and certified to 1000 models
model number 968293 was produced in late 1996, and very quickly went from dealer's
shelves. The actual car was sponsored by Minichamps and their Belgian Importer
Homble.
French Champion Patrick Bernardini won the 1996 Monte Carlo Rally in a Yacco
Oils sponsored car, this was 968203.
A pair of Michelin Pilot liveried cars were dominating the British Open Championship
during 1994, the car used by Malcolm Wilson was 948291.
Ari Vatenan entered selected World Championship events during 1994, in a Red
Bull Energy Drink liveried car, this was 948209.
The Escort Cosworth was also the car to have to win Group N during the mid '90's,
which has more recently been taken over by the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 5/6. The
original Group N Escort Cosworth, J799 BVW, which had been developed by Mike
Taylor Developments was entered on the 1994 Monte Carlo Rally for Jesus Puras.
This Cespa / Golden Milk sponsored car came second in its class, and finished
ninth overall, this was modelled as 948123.
Kitcar 43 of Spain produced a limited run of Code 3 models based on this same
Group N car, this time sponsored by Cajan Cantambria, and entered on a local
Spanish Rally.
The car that won Group N on the 1994 Monte Carlo Rally, driven by Pierre-Manuel
Jenot, was also modeled as 948119.
The complete list of Escort RS Cosworth rally cars produced by Minichamps is
in Table 2.
Table 2. Escort RS Cosworth's by Minichamps.
| Model Number | Car no. / Rally | Driver |
| 938200 | 6-Monte Carlo 1993 | F.Delecour |
| 948106 | 6-Monte Carlo 1994 | F.Delecour |
| 948108 | 8-Monte Carlo 1994 | B.Thiry |
| 948119 | 19-Monte Carlo 1994 | P.M.Jenot. |
| 948123 | 23-Monte Carlo 1994 | J.Puras |
| 948104 | 4-Portugal 1994 | M.Biasion |
| 948107 | 7-1000 Lakes 1994 | T.Makinen |
| 948291 | 1-Manx International 1994 | M.Wilson |
| 948209 | 9-Acropolis 1994 | A.Vatanen |
| 958203 | 3-Mille Miglia 1995 | F.Cunico |
| 948201 | 1-Wallonie 1994 | P.Snijers |
| 948202 | 2-Wallonie 1994 | R.Droogmans |
| 948205 | 5-Ardennes 1994 | P.Lietaer |
| 948206 | 6-Ardennes 1994 | R.Verreydt |
| 968203 | 3-Monte Carlo 1996 | P.Bernardini |
| 968204 | 4-Swedish 1996 | C.Sainz |
| 968293 | 6-Condroz 1996 | B.Thiry |
| Code 3 Kitcar 43 | 1- | J.Puras |
A number of Escorts were raced in the German ADAC GT-Cup during 1993/4, four of these were modelled. Also, five of the Escorts raced in the German Touring Car Trophy during 1994, these were predominately all white cars, with a few decals added. These can still be picked up from toyfairs at very cheap prices.
Escort World Rally Car
The Escort RS Cosworth was pensioned off by the World Rally Team at the end of the 1996 season and replaced by the Escort WRC. New regulations allowed the manufacturers more freedom in a number of areas, but as only twenty WRC kits were required, the aim was to bring more manufacturers into the series, which it has done.
Malcolm Wilson's M-Sport team took over the running of the official works team in November 1996, and the first rally for the new car was the Monte Carlo in January 1997. Visually the new car sported a different style front bumper and smaller rear spoiler. It was not long before it won it's first event, the 1997 Acropolis Rally in the hands of Carlos Sainz.
This time it was Vitesse who produced the Escort model. It was up to the now high standard that we expect from them. A combination of tampo printing and decals produced good looking cars. The interior was now even more detailed, roll cage, spare wheel, fire extinguishers, seat belts and a detailed dashboard.
The works cars were the first ones to appear, V98041 was the Acropolis winning car of Carlos Sainz, while V98065 the car used by Juha Kankkunen on that years 1000 Lakes.
The 1997 Test car has also been produced, as SKM120. For the 1998 Season, Carlos Sainz defected to Toyota, and his sizeable sponsorship deal from the Spanish oil company, Repsol, went to Seat. The 1998 cars were sponsored by Valvoline, but were mainly covered in Ford decals. The '98 Monte Carlo car of Juha Kankkunen was modelled as V98097, complete with a bank of six spotlamps on the front. The actual cars ran with decals on the front wings, "Roger Clark, 1939-1998", in memory of the British rallying legend who had passed away during January 1998.
Bruno Thiry cracked a rib during a pre event test on the Safari Rally, and was replaced by Ari Vatenan. Vitesse's model, V98133, included roo bar, bonnet mounted snorkel, and extra wing mounted lamps to warn off any wildlife.
Ford's policy of making their latest rally weapon available to all their customers, if their bank balance was big enough, continued. To this effect their WRC was the most popular car for customers to rally. M-Sport continued to supply customer cars, as did the satellite teams of R.E.D. and Mike Little Preparations. M-Sport built the following WRC's for use, Middle Eastern champion Mohammed Ben Sulayem's Adnoc Lube version was model V98109, Fernando Peres of Portugal had a Totta Bank sponsored version, this was model V98054, Italian Franco Cunico used a Martini Racing WRC in the Italian Championship, this was V98152.
For 1999, Vitesse now called their rally car range SKID, and thus models were prefixed SKM.
R.E.D of Cheshire had the contract to run Patrick Sniyers on the Belgian Int.Champion and selected European events during 1997/98, this Bastos sponsored was V98090.
That same car was used by Armin Schwarz on the 1998 RAC Rally, this time sponsored by Toshiba, and modelled as SKM99029.
Mike Little Preparations ran Gregoire De Mevius in a Belgacom backed WRC on a similar programme during 1997, this was V98076.
Boreham were still preparing WRC's, and built a number of cars too. V98169 was the Boxys Jeans / Bastos example used by L. Verhoestraete in Belgium during 1998.
The Gazprom team from Russia entered the FIA Teams Cup in their silver Boreham Escorts during 1998, their Acropolis car was SKM99004.
While Francois Delecour was waiting for the Peugeot 206WRC to be debuted, he was released from his Peugeot contract, and competed on the 1999 Monte Carlo, in a First Racing prepared Escort WRC, this was SKM087.
Also Competing around the world were, the Marlboro sponsored car of G.Picar, this was SKM093.
R.E.D. were still preparing WRC's for use Worldwide, J.P.Nasrallah used a Cyberia Internat one on the 1999 Rally of Lebanen, this was SKM097.
Table 3. Escort WRC's from Vitesse.
| Model Number | Car no. / Rally | Sponsor / Driver |
| V98041 | 5-Acropolis 1997 | Repsol / C.Sainz |
| V98054 | 9-Portugal 1997 | Totta Bank / F.Peres |
| V98065 | 6-1000 Lakes 1997 | Repsol / J.Kankkunen |
| V98076 | 26-Portugal 1997 | Belgacom / G.de Mevious |
| V98090 | 2-Rally Poland 1997 | Bastos / P.Sniyers |
| V98097 | 7-Monte Carlo 1998 | Valvoline / J.Kankkunen |
| V98109 | 1-Lebanon 1998 | AdnocLube / M.Ben Sulayem |
| V98133 | 8-Safari 1998 | Valvoline / A.Vatenen |
| V98152 | 9-Sanremo 1997 | Martini / F.Cunico |
| V98169 | 1-Wallonie 1998 | Bastos & Boxys / L.Verhoestraete |
| SKM99004 | 22-Acropolis 1998 | Gazprom / A.Nikonenko |
| SKM99017 | 36-Acropolis 1998 | Texaco / Papadimitriou |
| SKM99021 | 15-Acropolis 1998 | Valvoline / L.Kirkos |
| SKM99029 | 14-RAC 1998 | Toshiba / A.Schwarz |
| SKM99043 | 36-Swedish 1999 | EOS / M.Martin |
| SKM99056 | 2 -Spa 1999 | Fina / Vandewauwer |
| SKM99071 | 5 -Ciocco 1999 | Totip / A.Fiorio |
| SKM99087 | - Monte 1999 | Total / F.Delecour |
| SKM093 | 8-El Corte Ingles 1999 | Marlboro / G.Picar |
| SKM097 | 7-Lebanon 1999 | Cyberia / J.P.Nasrallah |
| SKM120 | Test car 1997 | |
Farewell to the Escort
The Ford Focus WRC. The works Escorts ran with the legend "Escort 30Years" during 1998, and it was to be their last in the Official Ford team, the most successful rally car of all time was pensioned off after the 1998 Rally of Great Britain. The new 1999 stead, built by M-Sport in Cumbria, would be the Ford Focus WRC, the most expensive rally car todate, at a reputed £325,000 each. With Colin McRae behind the the new wheel, the new car aims to revive the memories of the all conquering Escorts of the 1970's. Vitesse issued the Ford Focus WRC in 1999. The first version was model number SKM99019, the standard version ran as it did in Monte Carlo 1999, due to alcohol licensing laws was without the Martini branding. But the same model was released to Ford Racing team members when the team was launched, complete with Martini branding. They have since released numerous versions of the 1999 Martini Focus. Petter Solberg ran as the third works car on numerous events, the plain white car has been modeled as SKM 146. The first privater to use a Focus WRC, was the Middle East Champion, Mohamid Bin-Sulayem, in the superb black and silver colours of Irridium/Ford, as used on the 1999 Rally of Lebanon This was model number SKM100. Other, than the official works cars, this was the only private Focus to appear in competition during 1999.
For the 2000 season, visually the car sported a different front bumper/spoiler and a smaller rear wing, and as Carlos Sainz joined the team, the colours changed to incorporate the blue colours of Telefonica/Movistar. Again Vitesse have issued a number of the works cars from the various WCR events they have competed on. On the privater front, cars were debuted on the 2000 Rally of Lakes in Ireland, for Eammon Boland and Steven Finlay. On the international scene, there was still only two privaters competing. The Bin Suleym one, and Polish Champion Jansug Kulig was using a Mike Little Preparations tendered Marlboro back one on various European events. This was modelled by Vitesse, less the Marlboro branding as SKM 146.
At Autosports International 2001, in the UK during January 2001, Ford unveiled a 12 piece 1/43 scale model collection to be produced, the first of which was the Ford Focus WRC used by Colin McRae on Acropolis 2000, in a special Edition box and sleeve. This can be ordered from www.fordracing.net
From Whaletale to Group A 4x4, the Ford Sierra as modeled in 1/43 diecast.
Sierra RS Cosworth.
This was the original "whale tailed", rear wheel drive, 145mph hatchback model homologated by Ford on 1st January 1987. Group A motorsport regulations required 5,000 models to be produced, these were produced at Genk in Germany, and appeared in competition guise straightaway. The RS Cosworth was mostly used as a rally car.
Trofeu originally produced 1/43 resin models, their first diecast model produced, was of the Sierra appeared in March 1989. The original model came with complete interior including spare wheel, later models included a rally harness on each seat. The rear spoiler had to be fitted by the purchaser, as did a pair of door mirrors and plastic windscreen wipers. Texaco were to sponsor the Boreham prepared Sierra's on their debut year.
Trofeu's first model was 001- "Texaco", as used by Stig Blomqvist on the 1987 RAC Rally, a run of 5000 models. 002- "Texaco" was much rarer, with only 1000 models, virtually identical in livery, but as used by Ari Vatenan on the 1000 Lakes Rally of the same year. Both models were available in promotional "Texaco" boxes.
Road car versions were also available, where the purchaser had to add supplied decals for rear lights and front grill. With 2500 models of each colour, these were 005 - Metallic Magenta, 006 - Metallic Moonstone, 007 - Flint Metallic Black, and 008 - Diamond White.
The 1988 Season saw different sponsors on the Boreham built Sierra's, but similar paint schemes, these were released in late 1989. 009 - "Carlos Sainz" was the "Marlboro" sponsored car entered on the "Rally of Portugal" of which 5000 models were produced.. In the same year, the Sierra won it's first rally of the World Series, the "Tour de Corse", this car driven by Didier Auriol was modeled as 010 - "Panache", of which 3000 were produced. Other, "works" cars in similar liveries followed.
The 1989 season saw different sponsors, all modeled by Trofeu. The largest production run of all, 10,000 models in total, was 013 - "Q8", driven by Franco Cunico on the 1989 RAC Rally, all these were in promotional boxes, in Q8 and Ford Motorsport colours. 015 - "33 Export" was the car used by Didier Auriol on the 1989 Rally of Portugal.
The car used by Portuguese driver J. Santos on the 1990 Rally of Portugal was 114 - "Castrol GTX3". Two of the earlier cars he had used on the 1988 and 1989 events had also been released by Trofeu, but only as Promotional models, these are covered later in this article.
The numbering system was to change in 1995, with all model numbers now being prefixed with a "1", thus 015 now became 115. A model that was photographed in the 1994 catalogue, was that of the car used by the works team on the 1988 Rally of Portugal, titled "crashed car", as the model sports a damaged front bumper, and silver tank tape holding it on ! It appeared again in the subsequent catalogues from 1995-98, numbered as 117 - "Crashed Car", as of yet it still has not been released, we will see if it appears this year !!
Another new release for 1999 is 118 - "Shell Gemini", which was the car used by Colin McRae on the 1989 Circuit of Ireland Rally.
In its peak at the end of the 1980's, the Sierra Cosworth won the British Open Rally championship in the hands of Jimmy McRae, and had won noless than thirteen championships around the world.
Promotional Models
a number of models were released as "promo" versions, and as such did not appear in any catalogues. As mentioned earlier, Portuguese driver Joachim Santos' 1987 Rally of Portugal entry, "Diabolique" sponsored car and 1988 "Castrol" sponsored cars were early promotional versions. The Portuguese Ford Dealer "Rodam", had seventy sets of three models produced, all in red, as driven by J.Miguel on the 1988 Rally of Portugal, Rally Allo Tamega, and the 1989 Rally of Portugal.
Code 3 Limited Editions
During 1990, Nottingham based company Motor-Pro, produced a number of limited edition runs of British Rally Championship Sierras, which were redecaled versions of the Trofeu model in special boxes, with certificates, and limited to 500 models of each.
The first of the three models was Jimmy McRae's 1989 Circuit of Ireland Sierra, M3/2 "Mr Tomkinson Carpets" was the pink version used by Gwyndaf Evans to win the 1989 Ulster Rally, and M3/3 "Andrews Heat for Hire" was the car used by Russell Brookes to win the 1989 Manx International Rally.
During 1998, Kit Car 43 of Barcelona, Spain produced a limited run of Sierra's in the livery driven by Carlos Sainz on the 1988 Lombard RAC Rally, running as car 21, and sponsored by Ford Motorsport Parts. These were in their normal boxes, but finished to a high standard for the price.
The competition career of the RS Cosworth as used by the works team on the World Rally Championship was less than three years, it was more successful in the various National Championship's and is still used by clubmen to this very day.
Sierra RS500 Cosworth
This was an evolution version of the RS Cosworth, essentially a homologation special of five hundred road versions to allow the car to compete in Group A touring car racing. Initially produced as RS Cosworths at Genk in Germany during 1986, these were put in store for a time, before being converted by Aston Martin Tickford at a factory near Coventry in mid 1987. Externally the cars differed with a deeper air dam at the front, a slightly extended "whale tale" spoiler rear spoiler, and a second rear spoiler on the hatchback lid.
Released at the same time as the two "Texaco" rally versions, in March 1989, Trofeu produced the two "Texaco" Eggenberger run RS500's as raced at the 1987 500kms of Estoril, these were models 003 and 004. The Trofeu RS500's came with one race seat, race wing mirrors, later models had the second boot spoiler, fire extinguisher, and roll cage.
The "Bastos" sponsored car used by the team to win the 1989 24 hours Spa race, was produced as model 011 in June1990. With the exception of "promos" there was then a drought of releases until late 1998, when Trofeu released the 1989 BTCC, "Kaliber" sponsored car of Andy Rouse, as model 117. The latest models now having photo etched windscreen wipers, roll cages and more accurate wheels.
Australian RS 500's
During 1992, four models were produced of the cars used in the Australian Touring Car Championship. These were produced by Trofeu for a company called Trax, they appeared in yellow / black Trax boxes, but were essentially Trofeu models with the Trax motif in place of the Trofeu one on the base plate. The visual appearance was not upto the usual Trofeu quality, decals were tampo printed, the wheels stuck out too much and they contained no windscreen wipers or door mirrors. The "Shell Ultra High" sponsored team ran two cars, car 18 was modeled as 8021a, and car 17 as 8021b. Another bright red car was the "Oxo" sponsored car of Andrew Meidecke, this was model 8022. In 1987, the Eggenberger/Texaco black RS 500's were shipped over to the do the "James Hardy Bathurst 1000 Race", at the famous Mount Panarama circuit. One of these cars was modeled as 8023. These were generally only available in Australia.
Promotional Code 1 Model's
There were at least four RS500'S that were produced for promotional purposes, and did not appear in any catalogues. They were all as raced in a race series in Portugal and are detailed in Table 3. Others included, during 2000, a Promotional series for the German Importer, limited to 499 models, of the RS 500'S used in the 1988/9 DTM Series. These are detailed in the table below, and are still available, pleaase e-mail me for more details.
Promotional Code 3 Model's
As with the rally cars, Motor Pro satified the British market with two RS500's based on Trofeu bodyshells, as used in the BTCC, both were limited to 500 models.Models came with certification, extra interior detailing, and more accurate wheels. M3/4 was the ICS sponsored car driven by Andy Rouse, and came in an ICS liveried box. The second, M3/7 was the Trackstar prepared, all white car driven by Robb Gravett in the same series, who later became British Touring Car Champion. These Motor Pro models can still be found at good swap meets for £30-£40.
Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4 by Vitesse
The new four wheel drive Sierra Cosworth was homologated on the 1st August 1990, with the works team debuting their Q8 liveried cars on the 1000 Lakes Rally later that month, gearbox problems sidelined the team. The Sierra did not win any of the World Championship Rallies in its two years of use by the works team, but like its predecessor was National Champion in many countries, and still is a popular club rally car to this very day.
The Borhem team used the Sierra for two complete seasons until the Escort RS Cosworth took over for the 1993 Season.
Vitesse released their version of the Cosworth 4x4 in early 1992, initially with the roadcar version followed by a number competition versions. The model was actually based on a Gama model of the Ford Sierra Sapphire 2.0 Ghia, it was not the best of models produced. Due to its origins, it had both opening doors and bonnet that were stuck shut, the headlamps were rectangular (they should have been twin circular ones), the model did not have the Cosworth front grill, and the model still had its back seats in. Worst of all, it still had the Sierra 2.0 Ghia badging on the boot !
In traditional style, first model produced was 716 - which was a Moonstone blue road car. The Ford team debuted the 4x4 rallycar on the 1991 Monte Carlo Rally, in the colours of Q8 Oils driven by Francois Delecour, this was modeled as 710 - "Q8".
The Boreham team ran the usual Q8 cars on that years RAC Rally, but entered a third car in the colours of Autoglass for the previous years winner, Pentti Arikkala, this was modeled as 712 - "Autoglass".
For the 1992 season the Boreham team was to be sponsored by Mobil Oil, first rally of the season was again the Monte Carlo, the car used by Francois Delecour was modeled as 718 - "Mobil". This was to be the last year of the works Sierra, 1993 was to herald the arrival of the Ford Escort RS Cosworth.
The satelite works teams as they were known, ran many works spec Sierra's for other drivers. Many of these were modeled by Vitesse also. Mike Little Preparations ran a then up and coming driver called Tommi Makinen, in an ex Boreham Sierra on the 1991 Rally Portugal, this was modeled as 711 - "Motul".
Ford Italy also used an ex Boreham Sierra in the hands of Franco Cunico on the 1991 Tour de Corse, this was modeled as 715 - "Tamoil".
Belgian preparation team, RAS, also ran a number of Works spec Sierra's in Europe during the early 1990's, before later running the Factory Escorts for Ford. They ran Marc Duez in a Fina sponsored car on the 1990 RAC Rally, this was modeled as 713 - "Fina". RAS ran a "Bastos" sponsored car for Bernard Beguin on selected European Rallies, the car used on the 1991 Rally Garrigues was modeled as 714 - "Bastos".
Promotional Models
Again, a number of models were produced for promotional purposes, and as such are not catalogued. As shown in the photograph, a rallycross version was produced for "Altuglass", of Portugal, one of 100 models in a special liveried box.
A set of three different models were produced for "Autotrans Express SA", representing the Group N Sierra they sponsored on the Portuguese National Rally series, a total of 50 sets were produced.
The Sierra Cosworth 4x4 a enjoyed a couple of years in the World Rally Championship, it never won around, and never really challenged the mighty Lancia and Toyota. As with the previous Sierra, due to Ford's policy of selling all the top flight parts, it was again a very popular car in many countries National Championship's, and won countless titles again. Better was to come in 1993 with the launch of the Escort Cosworth.
The author would be very pleased to here from any readers who have any other Sierra models by Vitesse / Trofeu not covered by this article.