Gartrac generated their first friend having David Sutton who had been the fresh new director off Clark & Simpson who had been Ford buyers for the Sloane Square, London area. The cars have been mainly fundamental and no roll cages, yet not Gartrac given uprated suspension system and you may running technology section for the experiences.
Right before the start of the fresh rally Dave Bignold are expected because of the Ford traveling around Clark & Simpson and you will match bottom wonder absorber turrets on Rauno Aaltonen’s Ford Escort 1850 GT. Installing the device was finished quickly more than a sunday and you may Aaltonen’s vehicles try ready to vie throughout the rally.
From the early 70s, Gartrac changed Escort Mk1 bodyshells getting Clark & Simpson inside the London
The newest London area – Mexico Industry Cup rally already been within Wembley Arena inside the London area to the April 19th 1970 layer just as much as sixteen,000 kilometers compliment of European countries and you can South usa and you will doing during the Mexico Urban area on 27th 1970. The big event was most profitable for Ford having Hannu Mikola and Gunnar Palm winning the newest rally and you will Rauno Aaltonen and you can Henry Liddon completing third.
Gartrac continued development parts into the Escort Mk1 rally trucks. During the early 1970s another greatest profit was Hannnu Mikkola and you will Gunnar Palm’s 1972 Safari Rally earn regarding the Escort RS 1600. The pair do get an early on direct which they never missing and became the original non-African crew in order to win the newest Eastern African Safari Rally.
1970s – New Work Escort Mk2
These types of modifications have been primarily fitted treat absorber turrets, metal ripple arches and reworking axle’s. Gartrac do modify 2-step 3 bodyshells weekly for a lot of age.
Gartrac was increasing inside profile therefore the sheer volume of functions designed that they had a need to change from its quick workshop for the Farnham, Surrey. They rapidly located yet another large workshop within the Godalming, Surrey, enabling them to take on way more teams, and for that reason its productivity became considerably.
Ford had merely brought out escortlook.de have a glimpse at this weblink brand new Escort Mk2 and you can realized Gartrac’s rapid increases. Ford was looking for a fabrication team that may develop Escort Mk2 bodyshells and you may bits due to their works rally team.
They wished the brand new Mk2 bodyshells getting similar which have a package of pieces you to definitely fitted every car; this is not the case on Mk1. For each drivers’ auto technician would have their own thought of a knowledgeable solution to build an auto, meaning no several autos would be the same. This triggered problems when servicing the cars on situations, just like the pieces failed to match universally.
The newest works Escort Mk1 bodyshells had been fabricated of the Gomm Steel Improvements. These types of shells was in fact gasoline welded otherwise nickel bronzed and therefore place higher temperature and be concerned on issue, hence resulted in distortion and electricity dilemmas. Ford desired the latest Escort Mk2 getting welded with the this new mig welding procedure. Gartrac is using mig welders for a time hence aided secure a primary acquisition for five bodyshells to be lead to their exact requirements.
Gartrac duly complete the order and you will Ford was thus pleased with the caliber of new artistry it immediately developed Gartrac so you can only create Escort Mk2 bodyshells to your functions group.
Ford together with accredited Gartrac which will make parts that would standardise the fresh new mechanic’s generate techniques. It fabricated a giant gang of pieces for example axle’s, distance rods, pedalboxes, strength tanks and you may petroleum tanks and you will suspension portion.
Gartrac obtained a totally free rule at the time supply suggestions about how Ford makes the vehicles top and so they accompanied its information somewhat readily due to the fact trucks was basically to-be reduced, stronger and a lot more reputable.
Brand new models had been switching all day. Gartrac will make changes on axle to alter traction, Ford perform after that revision illustrations to add the changes. They will upcoming write different differences for Tarmac and you may Tree applications. A similar techniques was utilized to grow the rest instance the engine crossmembers, sump protect sets, pedalboxes and you will suspension system parts.