Gartrac generated the earliest associate that have David Sutton who was the new manager of Clark & Simpson have been Ford traders inside Sloane Rectangular, London. The vehicles was in fact mainly fundamental with no roll cages, but not Gartrac offered uprated suspension system and you can running knowledge areas towards experience.
Before the beginning of this new rally Dave Bignold is actually asked by Ford to travel around Clark & Simpson and you may fit buttocks shock absorber turrets to the Rauno Aaltonen’s Ford Escort 1850 GT. Installing the device was accomplished rapidly more a sunday and Aaltonen’s car was ready to compete from the rally.
Regarding early 1970s, Gartrac changed Escort Mk1 bodyshells having Clark & Simpson inside the London
The latest London – Mexico Business Glass rally started at the Wembley Stadium in London area on the April nineteenth 1970 covering around sixteen,000 miles thanks to European countries and you may South usa and you can finishing for the Mexico Urban area may 27th 1970. The event try most profitable to own Ford that have Hannu Mikola and you can Gunnar Hand successful brand new rally and Rauno Aaltonen and you may Henry Liddon doing third.
Gartrac proceeded development pieces on Escort Mk1 rally vehicles. During the early 1970s other greatest earn try Hannnu Mikkola and you can Gunnar Palm’s 1972 Safari Rally victory throughout the Escort RS 1600. The pair perform just press this link now take an early head which they never ever lost and you can turned into the first low-African crew so you’re able to earn the fresh new Eastern African Safari Rally.
seventies – The newest Really works Escort Mk2
This type of changes have been mostly fitting treat absorber turrets, material ripple arches and reworking axle’s. Gartrac create tailor 2-3 bodyshells a week for many age.
Gartrac is broadening within the profile together with absolute quantity of performs required that they needed seriously to go from the brief working area within the Farnham, Surrey. They quickly located a different huge workshop from inside the Godalming, Surrey, providing them to undertake a lot more professionals, and thus their returns expanded drastically.
Ford got merely introduced the newest Escort Mk2 and you may realized Gartrac’s quick growth. Ford needed a manufacturing organization that may generate Escort Mk2 bodyshells and pieces for their performs rally class.
It desired the latest Mk2 bodyshells becoming similar having a system from pieces you to definitely installing most of the vehicle; this is false for the Mk1. Each drivers’ auto mechanic will have their unique idea of the best answer to create a car or truck, definition no a few cars will be exact same. That it caused troubles when upkeep the vehicles with the occurrences, once the parts did not fit widely.
This new works Escort Mk1 bodyshells had been fabricated by Gomm Metal Developments. This type of shells have been gasoline welded otherwise nickel bronzed and this lay higher temperatures and you will worry into topic, and that resulted in distortion and you can strength dilemmas. Ford desired the brand new Escort Mk2 is welded with the the latest mig welding processes. Gartrac ended up being using mig welders for a while hence assisted safer an initial buy for five bodyshells to get produced on the specific specs.
Gartrac duly completed the order and Ford is so proud of the grade of the brand new workmanship it immediately contracted Gartrac so you can entirely make Escort Mk2 bodyshells with the performs cluster.
Ford also accredited Gartrac in order to make bits which will standardise the brand new mechanic’s generate techniques. It fabricated a huge set of pieces such axle’s, distance rods, pedalboxes, energy tanks and oils tanks and suspension system parts.
Gartrac gotten a free of charge rule during the time giving suggested statements on exactly how Ford could make the cars best in addition they adopted the suggestions slightly conveniently because vehicles was in fact to get reduced, more powerful and more reputable.
The activities had been switching right through the day. Gartrac would make variations on the axle to evolve grip, Ford create after that change pictures to incorporate the changes. They’d then make other differences to own Tarmac and Tree apps. The same techniques was used growing other areas such as for example the fresh new engine crossmembers, sump secure kits, pedalboxes and you may suspension parts.