Handwritten notes on the 73 RAC programme
Porsche were not among the “manufacturer” entries but several Porsche Carrera were among the “trade teams” entrants (for those not familiar with U.K. one Porsche trade team “ ITV Sports” were at time one of the three main national television broadcasters here in U.K. they had good range sports programming in that era)
The other were a Ford dealer in North East. Address:
Crystal Ford
172 Anlaby Road
Kingston Upon Hull
HU3 2JP
Similar logo to the one sometimes on well known Carrera. Not sure when this Ford photo taken but assume from content it was around the launch of AVO and Ford RS circa 1970. Suppose it was before 73:
Unclear how Morley in his 73 Carrera RS M471 was by November 73 part of that “trade team” rally entry. Particularly as Crystal were a main Ford dealer. There is no association that I know of between Crystal and the Porsche brand or PCGB / AFN sole concessionaire or Aldington family.
They were a Ford Rallye Sport dealer — not all Ford were accredited. I have owned Ford Rallye Sport Products in the past and I had to use only accredited Rallye Sport dealers as not all service depts trained or competent on the Ford RS offerings.
Ford and Porsche (even with the cheaper 914) didn’t compete in same segments fir mainstream sales but all Porsche in GB then were sold though the VW-Porsche Sales and marketing JV in U.K. (as well as many other countries) …so not immediately obvious bedfellows as Ford would have competed in the retail markets
vs some 73 VW offerings. Possibly just some private arrangement based on relationships from prior seasons but a third Escort entry under that Crystal Ford dealer banner would’ve been more logical. Especially as blue oval car more suited to the RAC stages unlike the tarmac in Ireland where RS was regarded as a good rally choice.
Morley did compete in “triple C” championship events and had been British rally champion in Escort and won recognition with an award (or runner up award) the prior year iirc.
Interesting audio of 72 RAC:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW2FEZybetI
Not sure if he was part of them that year although he had addictions with another outfit, Lloyd
I think Morley in the first of his 73 Carrera RS had the first rally win on British soil in a 2.7 RS.
The Carrera RS among FordRallye Sport dealer “ trade team” is intriguing.
Steve
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