FORD RS1600

2-door 4-seater saloon.

Direct replacement, in competition terms, for Twin-Cam, differing only in road form by using 16-valve twin-cam Cosworth BDA engine of 120bhp. First few made at Halewood, all others at AVO plant at South Ockendon. Spawned Mexico within months and RS2000 of '73 also developed from it. Homologated at 1601cc, so engine could be enlarged for competition. Up to 1.8-litres possible originally, up to 2.0-litres (and 240-250bhp!) with the light-alloy cylinder block introduced in October '72. Most became competition cars, so surviving road cars are rare indeed.