******DEPOSIT TAKEN******

This 1979 Ford Escort BDA is the most significant “Works” Rally Car surviving in it’s original form from Australia’s “Golden Era of Rallying” Built by Colin Bond’s Australian Ford Works Rally Team as a sister car to IYK000 and YJA444 for Bjorn Waldegard (the 1979 World Rally Champion) to compete in the 1979 Southern Cross Rally (Australia’s Premium Rally of that time). Waldegard won 18 of the 35 stages, finishing second in 7 and 3rd in two, although he broke an axle in one of the final stages and did not finish, this was regarded as one of the classiest performances ever seen on the Southern Cross. YJT444 was then driven by Colin Bond in the 1980 Australian Rally Championship coming second in the series to George Fury in the “Works” Datsun Stanza YJT444 won the 1980 Castrol International Rally, driven by Greg Carr beating Ari Vatanen (the 1980 World Rally Champion) by 40 seconds, it features in the famous 40 split seconds rally film. Driven by Greg Carr in the 1980 Southern Cross Rally to second place. When the Ford “Works” team was disbanded in 1981 YJT444 was sold to Ian Hill who actively campaigned the car . In 1983 he won the Alpine Rally and the Dunlop 2GO Rally, Hill came 4th in the Australian Rally Championship in 1983 although he only competed in 2 events. Sold by Hill in 1987 and not used much since

YJT444 has all it’s original mechanical components and body shell, even has the 1979 rubber padding around the roll cage, it is in amazing time warp condition. The 29000km indicated is original from new, i am told it was only used on occasional weekends! After over 25 years it is now time for a new custodian.

…. And for your viewing pleasure please watch the 1980 Castrol Rally Championship.

https://youtu.be/0BKj0z_bGaU