FORD OF BRITAIN 100 IMAGE OF THE WEEK – 45/52

To celebrate the centenary of Ford of Britain in 2011 the company is exploring its photo archive to reveal rarely seen images. Ford's unique relationship with Britain and its society will be illustrated each week by specially selected pictures. 

This week we have waded through the archives for an example of Ford vehicle versatility, as the 67th Rally of Great Britain approaches this weekend.

 In the 1969 San Remo Rally in Italy, British drivers Roger Clark and Jim Porter navigate some awkward terrain in their Ford Escort Mk1 Twin Cam.  The pair went on to win the Circuit of Ireland Rally the following year.

Launched in 1968, the Ford Escort Twin Cam was one of the most exciting cars of its time and proved an important rally-weapon in Ford’s competition department. The Escort was 136kg lighter than a Lotus Cortina, with taut handling, stiff structure and good balance.  It enjoyed a remarkable run of sporting successes, winning its class several times over three years including the Danish Rally three times and the Austrian Alpine Rally.

More than 50 years later the UK's best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, continues to show that small cars can deliver.  In its ECOnetic form, it returns 78.5mpg*, but for this weekend’s Rally GB the Fiesta RS WRC will be powered by a special 300bhp 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine.

First image: 1969 Roger Clark and Jim Porter demonstrate the Ford Escort's potential as a boat!

Second image: Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen powering through a shallow lake in the Fiesta WRC on day three of the 2011 Mexico

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