Gartrac generated its basic associate with David Sutton who was simply the fresh movie director out-of Clark & Simpson who have been Ford people in the Sloane Square, London. The cars were mostly basic no roll cages, yet not Gartrac provided uprated suspension and you will powering technology parts for the feel.
Just prior to the beginning of the rally Dave Bignold is expected of the Ford traveling as much as Clark & Simpson and complement bottom surprise absorber turrets towards the Rauno Aaltonen’s Ford Escort 1850 GT. Installing the device is accomplished rapidly more a week-end and Aaltonen’s vehicle is actually willing to participate on rally.
In the very early 1970s, Gartrac changed Escort Mk1 bodyshells having Clark & Simpson when you look at the London area
The brand new London – Mexico Industry Mug rally come on Wembley Arena inside London on April nineteenth 1970 level up to 16,000 kilometers because of Europe and South usa and you may completing inside the Mexico Urban area may 27th 1970. The event was really effective for Ford with Hannu Mikola and Gunnar Palm winning this new escort Traiskirchen central rally and Rauno Aaltonen and you will Henry Liddon completing third.
Gartrac proceeded developing bits to your Escort Mk1 rally vehicles. In early seventies various other popular earn try Hannnu Mikkola and you will Gunnar Palm’s 1972 Safari Rally profit regarding Escort RS 1600. The pair create grab an early on direct that they never shed and you will became the original low-African staff so you’re able to winnings the latest East African Safari Rally.
1970s – The brand new Functions Escort Mk2
Such improvement have been generally suitable surprise absorber turrets, steel bubble arches and you will reworking axle’s. Gartrac carry out customize 2-step three bodyshells per week for a number of decades.
Gartrac is broadening into the character and the sheer volume of really works implied which they must change from its short working area inside Farnham, Surrey. It rapidly receive an alternative larger working area when you look at the Godalming, Surrey, providing them to take on way more professionals, and as a result its output became substantially.
Ford had merely brought out the fresh Escort Mk2 and realized Gartrac’s quick progress. Ford wanted a manufacturing organization which could establish Escort Mk2 bodyshells and you will bits because of their performs rally class.
It need this new Mk2 bodyshells become the same that have a kit out-of bits you to definitely fitted every vehicles; this is false into Mk1. Each drivers’ auto technician might have their unique concept of a knowledgeable means to fix build a vehicle, definition no several automobiles will be same. So it triggered troubles when servicing the cars into events, because the bits don’t fit widely.
Brand new performs Escort Mk1 bodyshells had been fabricated from the Gomm Material Developments. These shells was basically gasoline welded otherwise nickel bronzed which put higher heat and you can stress with the thing, and this triggered distortion and you can strength issues. Ford wished the new Escort Mk2 become welded with the this new mig welding process. Gartrac is having fun with mig welders for some time which aided safer a primary order for five bodyshells as brought to their real specs.
Gartrac duly done your order and you will Ford try so happy with the standard of the fresh craftsmanship it quickly contracted Gartrac so you’re able to exclusively build Escort Mk2 bodyshells toward work cluster.
Ford plus accredited Gartrac which will make parts which may standardise the mechanic’s make process. They fabricated a huge set of bits for example axle’s, radius rods, pedalboxes, fuel tanks and oils tanks and you may suspension elements.
Gartrac obtained a free of charge reign at the time to provide suggestions on how Ford makes the vehicles best and additionally they implemented the recommendations a bit conveniently since cars were is shorter, healthier plus legitimate.
Brand new habits was in fact switching all day long. Gartrac tends to make changes to the shaft to switch traction, Ford would after that revision pictures to provide the alterations. They might following develop some other distinctions to possess Tarmac and you will Tree applications. The same techniques was utilized to develop other areas such as for instance new engine crossmembers, sump protect kits, pedalboxes and you will suspension system pieces.