Brits won the 1000 Lakes a number of times in that era as co-drivers Richards, Davenport and Liddon. Russell Brookes in the Chevette was 6th in 1982 - against the quattros, asconas, nissan turbos etc
I see the fastest stage in 1973 1000 lakes was an average 147.54 km/h SS32 Kaitainen, that is pretty good for a Mk1.