Gartrac produced the very first friend having David Sutton who had been the brand new director away from Clark & Simpson who had been Ford dealers when you look at the Sloane Rectangular, London. The vehicles was indeed mainly simple without roll cages, not Gartrac provided uprated suspension and powering gear components on feel.

Just prior to the beginning of the new rally Dave Bignold is asked from the Ford to travel as much as Clark & Simpson and complement bottom surprise absorber turrets to your Rauno Aaltonen's Ford Escort 1850 GT. Installing the device try finished rapidly more a week-end and you can Aaltonen's vehicle is willing to contend from the rally.

Throughout the early seventies, Gartrac modified Escort Mk1 bodyshells getting Clark & Simpson inside London area

The newest London area - Mexico World Glass rally come on Wembley Stadium in London area into April 19th 1970 coating just as much as sixteen,000 kilometers as a result of European countries and you can South usa and you may doing into the Mexico Urban area on may 27th 1970. The function try extremely successful for Ford having Hannu Mikola and you may Gunnar Palm effective new rally and Rauno Aaltonen and you will Henry Liddon doing third.

Gartrac proceeded developing parts to the Escort Mk1 rally vehicles. During the early 70s various other famous winnings is Hannnu Mikkola and you can Gunnar Palm's 1972 Safari Rally winnings regarding Escort RS 1600. The pair manage just take a young lead that they never ever forgotten and you can became the initial low-African crew to profit new East African Safari Rally.

1970s - The newest Work Escort Mk2

Such modifications was indeed generally installing surprise absorber turrets, steel bubble arches and you will reworking axle's. Gartrac perform customize dos-step three bodyshells each week for a number of age.

Gartrac was increasing inside the profile additionally the natural volume of performs intended which they needed seriously to change from the brief workshop from inside the Farnham, Surrey. They quickly discover a special huge working area in the Godalming, Surrey, enabling them to deal with much more employees, and thus their production grew dramatically.

Ford had only introduced the new Escort Mk2 and you will realized Gartrac's rapid growth. Ford was looking for a fabrication company that will make Escort Mk2 bodyshells and you will parts due to their works rally team.

It wished the newest Mk2 bodyshells as similar which have a kit off parts you to definitely installing most of the car; this is incorrect towards the Mk1. Per drivers' auto technician could have their unique thought of the best way to generate an auto, definition zero one or two vehicles would be the same. That it brought about issues when upkeep the cars towards the events, since parts failed to complement universally.

New functions Escort Mk1 bodyshells were fabricated from the Gomm Material Developments. This type of shells was fuel welded or nickel bronzed and therefore place great heat and you may fret into the issue, which triggered deformation and you can fuel trouble. Ford desired the new Escort Mk2 to get welded making use of the the latest mig welding process. Gartrac is using mig welders for a time which aided safer an initial acquisition for five bodyshells to be produced to their perfect specs Get More Info.

Gartrac properly finished your order and you will Ford is actually very proud of the grade of the fresh craftsmanship it instantaneously developed Gartrac to help you solely build Escort Mk2 bodyshells into the works cluster.

Ford as well as commissioned Gartrac which will make parts that would standardise the mechanic's generate processes. It fabricated a large set of parts particularly axle's, radius rods, pedalboxes, electricity tanks and you can petroleum tanks and you will suspension section.

Gartrac was given a free rule at that time giving suggestions on how Ford could make the vehicles best and so they observed their recommendations quite readily given that autos was indeed is quicker, healthier plus credible.

The new designs was basically altering all day long. Gartrac would make adjustment to your shaft to switch traction, Ford would after that revise pictures to incorporate the changes. They'd after that establish more distinctions for Tarmac and you may Tree apps. An identical processes was utilized growing the rest such as the brand new engine crossmembers, sump shield sets, pedalboxes and you may suspension system bits.