Mike Bell’s Escort

[andy97]

I thought there was thread on this car but can’t find it now, sorry. Mods, please merge if you can.
There was some talk about Nick Whale (the new owner of Mike’s “Lairy canary” Escort) having it rebuilt recently, even though most of us thought it was in excellent condition. Well, I discovered in the last couple of days that (from FB) “@nick.whale - Competed in his freshly built Mk1 Escort in Rally Mallorca, finishing 1st in class and 5th overall!”
Nick Whale has confirmed to my query that it is the same car and “It is still a Group 2 race car which we use for both racing and rallying now. We are keeping his memory going!”
I hope Mike would approve.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by andy97

I hope Mike would approve.

+1!

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by andy97

I hope Mike would approve.

He certainly would, I'm sure :-)

[Tel 911S]

If this link works , it shows results .https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/8...-portals-2023/

It has Nick Whale as 6th overall , which is a very good result with the level of competition there .

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

If this link works , it shows results .https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/8...-portals-2023/

It has Nick Whale as 6th overall , which is a very good result with the level of competition there .

Some very interesting cars on the entry, including a Morgan +8!

[Mary Bell]

He would for sure rallying being his love.... and going to a lot of trouble with styling.


Sent from my SM-T713 using Tapatalk

[Tel 911S]

Just had a look and on the link I posted , it has a Video option .
At about 2.50 min there is the Lairy Canary in all of its glory .

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

Just had a look and on the link I posted , it has a Video option .
At about 2.50 min there is the Lairy Canary in all of its glory .

Judging by the smooth nature of those roads (and circuits), its not a surprise that Mikes Escort race car does well.
I am sure I saw a convertible modern 911 in the mix, too!!!

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

Just had a look and on the link I posted , it has a Video option .
At about 2.50 min there is the Lairy Canary in all of its glory .

Again at 17:20.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Mary Bell

He would for sure rallying being his love.... and going to a lot of trouble with styling.

Ho yes, this 205, I do remember we talked about some missing parts I could source for Mike to have it perfect, including dedicated center caps for the wheels. We had good fun discussing about that. Happy days. May be the styling was a repro from the works cars showing stripes of various colors, Peugeot Sport in this case?

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Ho yes, this 205, I do remember we talked about some missing parts I could source for Mike to have it perfect, including dedicated center caps for the wheels. We had good fun discussing about that. Happy days. May be the styling was a repro from the works cars showing stripes of various colors, Peugeot Sport in this case?

What year was that Gerard .
I remember doing the Flanders rally in 1987 [ I think ] when Mike did it in a 205 . He was 1st and I was 2nd in class .
But that was a while ago and I am not sure if that was the car he was in .

[Gerard C]

Not that far behind us, Tel. Just have to check my PM's because I did not cancel many of them and certainly not any from Mike. In my memory, Mike used two different versions of the 205 Pug, one being a Rallye -very lightweight, close ratio gearbox, 1300 cc engine on twin carbs- and the GTI pictured here, thanks again to Mary Bell.

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Not that far behind us, Tel. Just have to check my PM's because I did not cancel many of them and certainly not any from Mike. In my memory, Mike used two different versions of the 205 Pug, one being a Rallye -very lightweight, close ratio gearbox, 1300 cc engine on twin carbs- and the GTI pictured here, thanks again to Mary Bell.

That would have been a 1600 cc he was using as the class was Gp N 1600 we were both in .So probably was the one in Mary,s picture .

[Gerard C]

Tel, I'd say 2016/17 for some info and closer for the wheel centers. May be some conversations can be found in the 2020/21 main thread?
You're right, in Mary's picture no doubt its a 1600 but impossible to say for sure if its a 105 or 115 chevaux.

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Tel, I'd say 2016/17 for some info and closer for the wheel centers. May be some conversations can be found in the 2020/21 main thread?
You're right, in Mary's picture no doubt its a 1600 but impossible to say for sure if its a 105 or 115 chevaux.

Going from memory , and it was a while ago , it was 1987 when Mike did Flanders when I was there .
I do believe that his win , [ the Pug 205 GTI was very suited to the Flanders stages ,] was the incentive for the UK 205 championship to choose Flanders for its 1 non UK rally .
Next year , 1988 [ I think ] there was about 60 odd UK 205s entered in the rally , and I had to work very hard to get in the top 10 in class in my Toyota GT .

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

Next year , 1988 [ I think ] there was about 60 odd UK 205s entered in the rally , and I had to work very hard to get in the top 10 in class in my Toyota GT .

Not only the 205 GTI was a good car right out from the box but when you have 60 of them there's the emulation effect. Not mentioning compliancy…

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Tel, I'd say 2016/17 for some info and closer for the wheel centers. May be some conversations can be found in the 2020/21 main thread?
You're right, in Mary's picture no doubt its a 1600 but impossible to say for sure if its a 105 or 115 chevaux.

There was, I think, a 205 Rallye 'in build' in Mike's workshops when I visited in October 2017.

He spoke to me also about parts but my old 205 Junior was not of much help. (I finally sold it last year).

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

There was, I think, a 205 Rallye 'in build' in Mike's workshops when I visited in October 2017.
...........

Probably this one John

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk...66&pn=1&pp=100

[Gerard C]

Thanks John, I had year and model right. A Junior could help but only if two door body just the rear inner wings differ and the front subframe attachement.

The Rallye is an intersting model in the 1300 class, Mike new it. Only thing to fix is the carbs, they are 40 DCOM, but engraved DCO. They are much sought after because they breathe throug a 45 hole…I think the Citroën AX Sport had the same engine.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Probably this one John

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk...66&pn=1&pp=100

Yes, that looks about right.

[Gerard C]

Yes, this one MGDavid.

[andy97]

Looks like Nick Whale is selling Mike’s Escort:
https://www.racecarsdirect.com/Adver...oup-2-fia-race
Not sure it would have needed a JRT rebuild but such is life.
It looks very smart but (even as a Wolves fan) i think it should have stayed in the yellow and green livery!

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by andy97

Looks like Nick Whale is selling Mike’s Escort:
https://www.racecarsdirect.com/Adver...oup-2-fia-race
Not sure it would have needed a JRT rebuild but such is life.
It looks very smart but (even as a Wolves fan) i think it should have stayed in the yellow and green livery!

I think I prefer to remember it as it was...

[MartinH]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

I think I prefer to remember it as it was...

Agreed, now in a horrible, non classic colour scheme & hyper inflated price.

Don't think Mike would be too chuffed !
Me neither.

[andy97]

Does not appear to have sold. “Buy it now” price is £115k.
Mind you I don’t think that many cars sold.