The MST Mk1 is not, legally or by name at least, a mk1 Ford Escort. But materially and mechanically it's a close match for the formative, 1970s-era, competition-specification version of one of the most famous rally cars there has ever been; and it's both brand new and road-legal.
Built by Motorsport Tools of Pwllheli, it's the work of a company that has spent years supporting, repairing and restoring historic mk1 and mk2 Escort rally cars. It exists in order to supply those who want a more habitable and usable, but still authentic-feeling, brand-new-and-yet-still-classic mk1 Escort with a car they can enjoy on the road as often as they like.
Built out of a mix of MST's own specially designed chassis and body stampings, and competition-grade axles and driveline components of the sort you'd find on a historic rally car, the MST Mk1 is powered by a 2.0-litre, 260bhp Cosworth 'BDG' racing engine of the same family that powered Ford's 1970s rallying Escorts, which revs beyond 8000rpm and sounds ear-splittingly shrill. Our man Matt Saunders found out exactly that on roads close to the Escort's glory-days forest rally stages in Snowdonia, North Wales. Ear plugs at the ready, folks.
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Why didn't they release it 4 years ago to celebrate it's first international rally win when Roger Clark won the Circuit of Ireland in 1968? Escort Twim Cam back then of course - the first rally that my dad took me to see and it's got me where I am today, drawing Ordnance Survey maps!
We would have liked to tbh, but this took us a lot longer than we initially planned to get a version that we were happy to release.We'll just have to release a Special Edition in 2028 instead
I dont think they need to 'neuter' the car by shoving a milk float motor in it gavsmit.
The main joy of a Group 4 Escort is the sound/fury of its BDA series engine.
They already have a substantial waiting list at MST without changing the recipe.
I think you'd have problems out accelerating a Tesla 'milk float' in most ICE cars - not that I'm a total EV fan - I'm still cycnical about the price of mainstream EVs and how companies and politicians will profiteer from them in the near future from increased charging costs and the removal of politically based incentives.
I agree that a big draw for cars like this are from sentimentality, which includes the noise etc. but times are moving on and I wouldn't mind a revamped MK1 Escort that sounds like a stealthy science fiction spaceship. Make it usuable for every day inside that great looking MK1 bodyshell and I'm sold.
Different strokes for different folks.
I loved my MK1 Escort - but in this day and age, paying £70k - £80k for a car that will fold up like a cardboard box seems mad.
If only Ford would make a new retro-styled two door saloon that looks like the MK1 but acts like a modern car.
Make it affordable and an EV and you have a potential sales winner - like Renault will have with the resurrected 5 when it launches.
Watch this space gav, we've got the wheels in motion on an EV version...