The 1997 Ford Escort WRC that propelled Carlos Sainz Sr to victory at the Acropolis Rally is scheduled for auction at Silverstone by Iconic Auctioneers later this month. This iconic car, known as chassis #4, carries significant motorsport heritage tied closely to Sainz’s landmark win and the World Rally Championship history.
Development and Competition Highlights Throughout 1997
Built in 1996 by Ford Motorsport at Boreham, the car was originally driven by Carlos Sainz alongside co-driver Luis Moya during the 1997 season. Its debut season included a notable second-place finish at the Monte Carlo Rally before achieving its defining moment at the Acropolis Rally in Greece. During that event, Sainz capitalized on mechanical issues and crashes affecting rivals, including Subaru’s Colin McRae and world champion Tommi Mäkinen, to secure Ford’s first-ever World Rally Championship victory under the M-Sport banner.
Juha Kankkunen, another accomplished driver who later piloted this chassis, finished just 17 seconds behind Sainz in that race, having been instructed by the team to preserve his car. Throughout 1997, drivers such as Armin Schwarz and Jarmo Kytölehto also drove the car, earning several podium finishes under its classic livery.
Modifications and Ownership After 1997 Success
The car was updated in 1998 with the latest chassis and roll cage technology by M-Sport while maintaining its original shell, a transformation verified by Gordon Vincent of RV Fabrications. After its competitive career in the late 1990s, Ford Turkey campaigned the Escort from 1999 before it was purchased by David Robinson, who raced the vehicle in the UK up until 2015. The current owner has since enjoyed showcasing the car at events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed and SpeedWeek, where former rally champion Stig Blomqvist has also driven it.
Condition, Historic Eligibility, and Auction Details
Although the car has seen active use, it has not been overly protected; however, it underwent a costly, comprehensive like-for-like engine rebuild in 2020. Since then, it has been sparingly used, with only two appearances at Goodwood, and remains fully prepared for competition. Retaining its original factory Repsol livery, the Escort is eligible for historic rallying events and is highly regarded among enthusiasts.
Malcolm Wilson, team owner during the 1997 season, reflected on the significance of the win, expressing his deep satisfaction for all involved in reaching this milestone.
“I’m totally delighted for the team and everybody. When people know what effort had gone in to get this team this far, it is tremendous amount of satisfaction. There is a lot of emotion now,”
he said.
The car is expected to command up to £350,000 at auction, which will take place at The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, on Friday 22 August at 2pm BST, drawing considerable attention from fans of rally history and collectors alike.
