Chatting to a mate tonight, a bit tenuous this but a work colleague of his is confident that Ford produced a few prototypes of an "Orion Cosworth", but then decided to shelve the project as the Escort would be a better seller.

I disbelieve this, does anyone know better? I have looked/searched the RS Owner's club (and Google) but have not turned up anything either way.

What a waste of key presses.

No is the answer.

Now please fook off.

Steady on, this is not supposed to be a wind up.

Look at my post count and my registration date. Grow up.

:)

Bit of a kneejerk reaction there father.Shame on you.Twenty Hail Mary's as pennance:D.

Yeah steady on Fatherpear.
Anyway, had a look on the Orion register website (no really) at http://www.theorionregister.com/ and couldn't find one. However you may want to look here:
http://sorted-orions.co.uk/
or here:
http://mysite.freeserve.com/modified_orions

and you may find something...

Sorry Miles.

Thought it was gonna turn into a muppet type thing.

My apologies!

Steady there father, I recall reading about something similar myself, during the days of the 4x4 saff, they did produce some prototype Mk4 & Mk5 Orion 2 doors, maybe they were connected to the same project.

They were looked into and i think prototypes were made but scrapped due to the cost issue where there would have to be a differant bodyshell made and the retail price of the car would be dearer than the Saff, I have got some details in the loft, will go on a hunt this wkend

Father - no worries, I suspected my vaguely serious question would go down the muppet route due to that thread by Carlos in Member's Gallery :D

I'd be interested to hear more, albeit that now I've been proved wrong :rolleyes:

Ford actually tried a Cortina Cosworth which had a turbocharged 2 litre Pinto and four wheel drive in 1974. It could do 0-60 in 6.1 seconds!!!

But even more interesting was the Anglia Cosworth, which actually made it to the showrooms in 1959 but because it cost a ridiculous £2,000 only 6 were ever sold...

Amazingly I have been looking back in the history books and actually found that Henry Ford himeslf used to drive a Model T Cosworth - it had 19 inch timber wheels, a disc brake, and a full leather interior...lovely.

Whatever next - a Focus Cosworth...lol :p

A sort-of Ford Orion Cosworth rally car was developed in the mid eighties by Sydney Meeke Motorsport in Ireland, based on the RWD Gartrac Escort G3. Driven by Steven Finlay, who used to drive for Malcom Wilson's Michelin Pilot team, and (I think) still does the odd bit of testing-development work on the Focus WRC. A couple were produced.

Not sure about this so stand to be corrected, but if memory serves correct the car was powered by either a BDG, or a Hart engine. Cosworth MAY have had some development in the motor, but then again...

The car was featured in an edition of CCC many moons ago, where a guest driver was invited to have a chuck around. I think he was some Brazilian called Ayrton Senna or something.

Olly,
You are correct.The orion was powered by a Hart engine.The car was also rallIed briefly by Barry McGuigan the boxer.I have many fond memories of watching Finlay in it and also Niall Mc Shea whose family have owned it for many years now.
SD.