1968 - New Ford Escort range released January - featuring the Twin-Cam model.

 

1970 - RS 1600 released Jan, Twin-Cam Escort still in production 

 

1970 - 50 lightweight Ford Capri RS 2600 AKA (plastikbombe) produced March. 

 

1970 - Production of lightweight RS2600 completed April. 

1970 - 1st production Capri RS 2600 manufactured at Niehl Sept 

 

1970 - The Mk1 RS Mexico, assembly starts at new AVO factory South Ockendon, Essex in November. 

 

1971 - Capri RS major changes applied in October. 

 

1972 - RS1600 cylinder blocks changed to Aluminium. Facelift introduced Autumn for Capri 2600 

 

1973 - RS2000 released (LHD) in July 

 

1973 - RHD version (RHD) introduced, production begins almost imediately in October. 

 

1973 - 250 RS3100's Capri produced at Ford Halewood, November. 

 

1974 Assembly of MK1 Escort ended, AVO factory closure announced. End of Capri RS2600 production 

 

1975 - Preview of Escort RS1800 in January. 

 

1975 - The Mk2 RS2000 is previewed in March. 

 

1976 - Ford's Official Jaunuary launch of MKII Escort RS2000 

 

1977 - RS1800 production ended Autumn, MKII RS Mexico assembly ends, RS2000 revised in September. 

 

1980 - End of an era for all rear wheel-drive Ford Escorts, July. 

 

1980 - New Ford prototype design of RS1700T begins at Boreham Oct 

 

1981 - Capri RS 2.8 Turbo, fitted by Technics, AKA Turbo Technics production started October, RS1600i previewed Sept, LHD versions on sale shortly after. 

 

1982 - RS 2.8 Turbo Capri ends production, 200 units built since 1981 September, RS1600I goes on general sale, in UK October in RHD. 

 

1983 - Ford cancel the RS1700T project March, Summer end of production of the Escort RS1600i.

 

1984 - The Series 1 RS Turbo is Previewed Oct , Goes on general sale at the end of year.

 

1985 - The Series 1 RS Turbo ceases production.

 

The uncertain demise of the never to be project Escort 1700T project had been closed this left a gap for Group B rallying. Stuart Turner set out to develop a car for the category of rallying, the RS200, a car designed in house, by an Italian designer. The Ford RS200 was viewed as ugly, however the years have changed many peoples views saying it was most beautiful rally car ever built.

 

 

1986 - The next generation Series II RS Turbo released Sept 

 

1990 - End of production for the Escort RS s2 

 

1990/91 - A productive year, the next gen Escort RS2000 greatly approved goes on sale Nov & the RS Cosworth is released. 

 

1992 - Ford Escort RS Cosworth goes on sale in May 

 

1994 - Escort RS2000 4x4 released in LHD March and July sees the release of a RHD version in the United Kingdom. New small Turbo RS Cosworth announced May. The Old shape escort mk 5 slowly phased out July.

 

1996 - End of an era the Ford Escort RS Cosworth finally ceases production January.

 

1996 - Escort World Rally Car (WRC) announced November. 

 

1996 - Final models - RS2000 & 4x4 - both discontinued in December. 

 

1998 - Last ever appearance of Works Escort WRC in RAC rally Nov 

 

1998 - Ford Concept RS Cosworth Focus goes on show at Geneva Motorshow Dec 

 

2003/7 - Ford still driving on the debut of 2003 Acropolis Rally, the WRC Focus wins on its 3rd trip ever out Jun. New RS focus and Fiesta cars released.

 

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