The Ford Escort Mk II RS1800 is one of the defining rally cars of the late 1970s, yet most collections stop at the Rothmans or Castrol factory liveries. This Trofeu 1:43 moves into less-charted territory: a blue privateer entry, number 34, driven by Portuguese competitor António Carreira at Vila do Conde in 1980 — the season immediately after Ford's official works withdrawal. At just 150 units, it is among the most restricted Escort Mk II releases in Trofeu's catalogue.
The RS1800: Rear-Wheel Drive, Cosworth Power
The Ford Escort Mk II RS1800 sits on a 2,407 mm wheelbase and measures 3,978 mm bumper to bumper. Power comes from a Cosworth BDA or BDG straight-four of 1,840–1,975 cc, producing around 250 hp in full Group 4 rally specification, sent through a five-speed gearbox and a ZF limited-slip differential to the rear wheels. Competition weight ran between 980 and 1,040 kg — a combination that made the car formidable on gravel throughout its career.
1980: The Season After the Factory Left
Ford claimed the FIA Makes' World Championship in 1979 and promptly closed the works Escort programme. What followed was a privateer era: competitors across Europe and the Iberian peninsula continued campaigning Mk IIs through national championships. Vila do Conde, at its competitive peak around 1980, hosted multiple events that year and attracted the likes of António Carreira running number 34 in blue. The circuit and rally venue had built a reputation by the early 1980s that drew competitive domestic entries, and Trofeu documented at least two of these Vila do Conde editions in their own Escort Mk II production run.
Trofeu's 1:43 Die-Cast: Reference RRac 24
Trofeu lists this model under reference RRac 24 on their own website, described as "Vila do Conde 1980 Antonio Carreira". Construction is die-cast metal — the same medium Trofeu has applied to decades of rally subjects — with the blue livery and race number 34 applied to the Mk II body. The edition is confirmed at 150 units, a figure that places it well below Trofeu's standard production runs and complicates restocking once initial allocations clear.
In the Display Cabinet
At 1:43, the model measures approximately 9.5 cm in length — compact enough for a dedicated rally shelf without demanding significant depth. The natural companion piece is Trofeu's Escort Mk II RS2000 number 31 from the 1981 Rally Vila do Conde, together forming a Vila do Conde two-car grouping. Collectors focused on the Escort Mk II's post-factory competitive years, or on the Portuguese domestic rally scene specifically, will find this entry fills a gap that international-livery models leave entirely open.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the 1:43 scale model?
The real Ford Escort Mk II RS1800 measures 3,978 mm in length. Divided by 43, the model works out to approximately 92.5 mm — just under 9.5 cm. That is a compact footprint, but allow a few centimetres of shelf depth for the model and any accompanying base.
Does the model have opening parts?
Trofeu has not specified opening parts for this model. Die-cast rally models at 1:43 from Trofeu are typically sealed-body construction; detail is concentrated on the exterior surfaces, livery graphics, and wheel and tyre representation rather than on opening panels.
How limited is the production run?
Trofeu confirms a limited edition of 150 units for this model. That is a notably low number by catalogue standards and means secondary-market availability will tighten once the initial stock is sold.
What is the significance of the 1980 Vila do Conde entry?
Ford withdrew its official works Escort Mk II rally programme after winning the 1979 FIA Makes' World Championship. António Carreira's number 34 at Vila do Conde in 1980 is therefore a privateer example of the RS1800 in its competitive twilight — a historically distinct moment that separates this livery from the better-known factory entries of 1978–1979.
