1973 Ford Escort RS1600

There aren’t many more exciting ways to enjoy a little more than 110 hp than a Mk1 Escort RS1600. RS stands for “Ralley Sport” denoting the long line of victories the Escort earned in professional and amateur rally and road racing since its inception in 1968. Under the hood is a Crossflow block with a 16-valve Cosworth head built at Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operations center in South Essex, U.K. To go with that spunky motor is a sport suspension and a stiffer, strengthened, and seam-welded body shell. Whether it’s the classic lines that draw you to the RS1600 or its marked racing record this is one pre-hot-hatch era compact that is sure to shine.