Ford Escort 1970 (J1) - Mk1 Twin Cam Lotus AVO Type 49 110hp

2 Previous Owners, Restored Twink Twin Cam (only 1,263 built) / Very rare Australian Type 49 / Imported to UK in 2008 two keepers since / Barely used since restoration c-2014 / Just 1,263 Twin Cams built. After the success of the Lotus Cortina, a lighter, faster Escort version was inevitable. Equipped with the stiffened Type 49 shell and 110bhp Lotus engine, the simply named Twin Cam - or Twink as its known to enthusiasts - was quite something. Alongside the Halewood-built cars, Twin Cams were assembled between 1970 and 1972 in Sydney by Ford Australia. This is one of those 800-or-so CK49 chassis prefix knock down cars. It is one of the later post-1970 Twin Cams with the internal pull bonnet switch and delta-shaped holes behind the rear seat. This car arrived back in the UK in April 2008 and has had just two registered keepers since. It appears to have been extensively restored around 10 years ago, the work carefully replicating the factory specification. Amongst other features it retains the tramp bar, battery in boot and the engine stabiliser and brake master bottle both mounted on the firewall. Only a handful of Twin Cams survive in the UK. This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire an excellent example of one of Fords rarest and most desirable sporting saloons. Numerous invoices from specialist Burton dating around 10 years ago indicating the date of the restoration. Peppermint Green finished to a very high standard. The quality of this Twin Cams restoration is obvious. As enthusiasts will know, any restored car needs to be approached with care. Close inspection of the photographs and history indicates that this car has a Type 49 shell and retains the many minor details that sets the Twin Cam apart from standard Escort Mk1s. These include two-part front bumper, flared arches, tramp bar underneath and the battery in the boot. Inside the cabin is trimmed correctly for a later 1970 car, including the internal bonnet release. The first 883 Twin Cams, to January 1969, had square headlights, after which they switched to round ones. As a 1970 car this one would be expected to have the later lights. However, as a CK49 prefix car it is quite likely that it left the Halewood factory long before it was first built and registered. Beyond the minutiae of these remarkable cars, the condition of this one is quite remarkable. The restoration work was clearly completed to a high standard and it presents now at the same l.