The MkI Escort had proven one of the most successful rally cars of its era, taking a string of wins across rallies from the late ’60s onwards. However, it was the arrival of the MkII that really cemented the Escort’s place in the rallying hall of fame. The MkII’s first WRC win came at the Lombard RAC Rally in 1975, where it led an all-Escort podium. The following year saw just one more win added to the tally, but it was 1977 when the car really shone. It claimed four wins that year, beating its chief rival, the Fiat 131 Abarth.

Three of those victories were thanks to Björn Waldegård, who took the drivers’ title that year. In 1978, Waldegård was unable to repeat the feat, handing both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles to Fiat. The Escort took just two event wins that year, but the following year proved to be a return to form. The Escort proved consistently competitive throughout 1979, taking the top spot five times thanks to both Waldegård and his teammate Hannu Mikkola. Waldegård came out on top at the end of the year, taking the drivers’ title and beating Mikkola by a single championship point.

The 1980 season saw only one further victory, but 1981’s three event wins saw Ari Vatanen take the drivers’ title in the Escort. By 1982, however, the RWD Ford had been outclassed by the AWD Group B cars.