[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Gungebucket

Aha! I remember torsion bar suspension on Escorts. In the early 1970's I worked for Wooding in Hamburg. Amongst other activities we ran a Mk1 Escort in touring car races in Europe. Over the winter of, I think it was 1971 but could have been 72, we built 2 new cars for the following year. The body shells were prepared by Maurice Gomm of Woking. We actually built 3 cars; one was for a custimer, Jorg Obermoser. These cars did indeed have crossed-over torsion bars for the rear suspension. They were 1300 Marina bars and we had various thickness ones machined down to give different spring rates. The torsion bar set up was indeed employed so that the widest possible rear wheels could be accommodated. The rules said that the original springs must still be in the same location but the size/material was free. Additional springs could also be employed so this set up did indeed comply with the rules. The "existing" springs were made of Teflon and were not attached to the axle, they were just there for show.
The cars were completed over the winter and testing carried out in the spring. The cars were excellent and everything was ready for the new season, cars, wheels, tyres, spares, big black Mercedes transporter.... everything. Unfortunately Wooding then went bust and the whole shooting match was purchased by a German guy who used to run a 1300cc Escort.... one Eric Zakovski (spellin?) i.e. Zakspeed. The rest is history!!

Hi Gunge, good to hear from someone who was there at the time! This could be one of those cars- it is a Gomm shell and still about. (Not mine, unfortunately!)