Mk1 Escort | Race | Rally | Rebuild on Mk1 Escort

Boreham Motorworks Ford Escort Mk1 RS: the Ford-Licensed New-Build Mk1 Explained

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0800

In our MST Cars overview we looked at a Welsh firm that builds new Mk1-style cars without Ford’s involvement. Boreham Motorworks takes the opposite route. Its Ford Escort Mk1 RS is officially licensed by Ford Motor Company, built new from the ground up and limited to 150 cars. Here’s what Boreham has announced, what’s changed since the car was first shown, what the press says it costs and when the first cars are due.

MST Cars' New-Build Mk1 Escort: Mk1 Sports, Mk1 EVO and How Ordering Works

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0800

There are two ways to get a Mk1 Escort that drives like a modern car. You can restore and modify an original, as Retropower did for Gordon Murray (see our episode-by-episode guide). Or you can buy one that’s new from the bodyshell up, which is what MST Cars in North Wales builds. Here’s who MST is, what its Mk1 Sports and Mk1 EVO are, what the press says they cost, and how ordering works.

The Complete History of the MK1 Ford Escort

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 11:59:05 +0000

The history of the MK1 Ford Escort: a revolutionary arrival in Ford’s 1968 lineup, carrying heritage and horsepower. Why did this model make history? We chart the course of the MK1 Ford Escort, from groundbreaking debut to motorsport heroics and cultural icon status. Dive into the article to uncover the engineering ingenuity, rally conquests, and community cult that define its legacy.

Mk1 RS1600 carving up the track at Spa 2015

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 04:46:52 +0000

Track Racing a Mk1 Escort RS1600

In this video we follow Joao Pina Cardoso in an escort RS1600 that starts off the back of the grid and progressively carves through the pack. Awesome in car footage with really good pure engine audio, it’s like you’re in the car too. Lot’s of expensive tin gets left in the dust as Joao catches and passes porsche after porsche - epic.

Best of Mk1 Ford Escort Rallying

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 10:16:41 +0000

This is a great video showing a variety of Mk1 Escorts being driven on the limit. The audio is amazing and so is the action.

Click the image below to play video

Mk1 Escort Rebuild – Retropower Gordon Murray Episode 16

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 10:05:03 +0000

It’s now September 2019 - The car is coming together, the Escort has gone through an IVA test to get it registered.

The paint gets a 40 hour buff and ceramic coat and then the Mk1 Escort gets a blast on the rolling road at Northhampton Motorsport and we see the process used to tune and map the engine for the best power and emissions. The sound when the durotech gets opened up is pretty impressive, but it’s no twin webbered BDA!

Mk1 Escort Rebuild – Retropower Gordon Murray Episode 15

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 09:47:31 +0000

It’s now June 2019 - we get to see the Car’s first public appearance at Goodwood Retro Rides weekender along with a bunch of other customer project cars, including a Chevette HSR, Audi Quattro and a millington powered Alfa. There’s also a nice green Mk2 Cortina with toyota engine - travesty!

Mk1 Escort Rebuild – Retropower Gordon Murray Episode 14

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 09:14:17 +0000

In this episode we get a catch up on progress with the Mk1 Escort in April 2019. We get a walk through BTB exhausts, who manufactured the exhaust system for the Mk1. Then the Retropower guys run through how the new dry sump tank was designed and manufactured from scratch and we see the tank being manufactured and welded. The interior also gets some attention, with the head lining, dash upholstery, some cool demist vents and door cards which are a plastic base that will get a leather finish. The guys 3d print custom surrounds for accessing the rear strut tops for adjustment and have fitted all new glass all round.

Mk1 Escort Ad Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 10:04:57 +0000

The Legends of Mk1 Escorts Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 10:02:57 +0000

Mk1 Escort Documentary Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 10:00:57 +0000

Mk1 Escort Games and RC Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 09:57:11 +0000

Mk1 Escort Review Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 09:55:34 +0000

Mk1 Escort Collection Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 09:54:24 +0000

Mk1 Escort Hybrid Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 09:37:34 +0000

Mk1 Escort Barn Find Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 09:35:02 +0000

Mk1 Escort How To Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 09:31:26 +0000

Mk1 Escort Time Attack Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 09:27:38 +0000

Mk1 Escort Hillclimb Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 09:21:23 +0000

Mk1 Escort Drag Racing Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 09:20:13 +0000

Mk1 Escort Build Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 08:48:56 +0000

See All Build Videos

RetroPower Gordon Murray Mk1 Build

Mk1 Escort Circuit Racing Videos

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 08:47:40 +0000

Fuel Tank, Dash & Power Distribution – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 13

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 06:16:17 +0000

Episode 13 of Retropower’s Gordon Murray Mk1 build is a progress update before the car goes away for its exhaust. It covers the fuel system, front-end details, the dash, and the programmable power distribution unit (PDU) that replaces fuses and relays.

Rolling Shell, Engine & Gearbox In – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 12

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 20:34:00 +0000

Episode 12 of Retropower’s Gordon Murray Mk1 build finds the car in the assembly workshop as a rolling shell, with the engine and gearbox fitted. The team now takes on the custom engineering jobs the dry build didn’t need.

Painted Shell & Nitron Struts – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 11

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 20:30:53 +0000

Episode 11 of Retropower’s Gordon Murray Mk1 build reveals the painted shell and explains how it was flatted and polished. The video then visits Nitron to see the custom struts built and tested, and ends with the rear brake problem caused by a 13-inch wheel.

Paint Prep to the Booth – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 10

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 03:23:34 +0000

Episode 10 of Retropower’s Gordon Murray Mk1 build follows the shell through the bodyshop, from bare metal to the moment it goes into the booth for its final colour. Retropower’s bodyshop team, Gaz and Marc, explain each layer and why it’s there. Meanwhile the suspension parts, engine and struts head out to specialists.

Dry Sump Tank, Plumbing & Zinc Spray – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 9

Sun, 17 Feb 2019 20:22:47 +0000

Episode 9 of Retropower’s Gordon Murray Mk1 build marks the end of the metalwork. Before the shell goes for paint, the team designs a custom dry sump tank and plans every pipe and wire so the painted shell won’t need new holes. Then the shell is blasted, zinc sprayed and primed.

Dry Build Review with Gordon Murray – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 8

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 20:49:28 +0000

Episode 8 of Retropower’s Gordon Murray Mk1 build is the end of the dry build. The car sits on its wheels at ride height for the first time, and Gordon Murray visits to sit in it, check the controls and inspect the suspension Retropower designed for him, before it is stripped again for paint.

Rotisserie, Binnacle & Dry Build – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 7

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 20:47:53 +0000

Episode 7 of Retropower’s Gordon Murray Mk1 build covers the end of the heavy metalwork. The shell leaves the jig for a rotisserie, the instrument binnacle and rear structure are finished, and the team explains the “dry build”, where the whole car is assembled before paint.

Metalwork, Dash & Rear Suspension – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 6

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 20:30:08 +0000

In Episode 6 of Retropower’s Gordon Murray Mk1 build, the outer panels go on and the car starts to look like a car again. Inside, the team builds a new structural dash. At the back, the independent rear suspension (IRS) comes together in mock-up form.

Cosworth Visit & Duratec Build – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 5

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 20:36:39 +0000

Episode 5 of Retropower’s Gordon Murray Mk1 build steps away from the workshop. The team visits Cosworth, which is building the car’s engine, to see how a road-car Duratec becomes a Cosworth one. Back at base, they sit down with Gordon to settle the interior and the few changes he wants to the outside.

Sills, Floor, Tunnel & Seat Fitting – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 4

Sun, 10 Feb 2019 20:16:32 +0000

In Episode 4 of Retropower’s Gordon Murray Mk1 build, the sills, floor and transmission tunnel are rebuilt, the front end is reshaped around the cooling and dry-sump plumbing, and the independent rear suspension starts to take shape. Then Gordon himself drops in to sit in the car and set his driving position.

Jig, Rust Repair & Interior Design – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 3

Sat, 09 Feb 2019 10:43:27 +0000

Episode 3 is the first proper metalwork episode. The Mk1 shell is bolted square on a jig, the rust and old accident damage are cut out, and a dummy Cosworth engine is offered up. Then Retropower’s designer walks through the second round of interior design for Gordon Murray.

Bare Shell Verdict & IRS Plan – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 2

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 20:40:49 +0000

In Episode 2 the Escort shell comes back from blasting, and Retropower finds out whether the gamble they took buying a repainted car has paid off. The second half of the episode is the engineering plan: which panels get replaced, how the shell gets lighter, and why Gordon Murray’s Mk1 ends up with independent rear suspension.

The Brief & the Donor Car – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 1

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 12:47:45 +0000

Episode 1 is where Retropower’s restomod of a Mk1 Escort for Gordon Murray, the engineer behind the McLaren F1, begins. Nothing gets welded yet. Instead we hear how the job landed in the workshop, what Gordon actually asked for, and how the team picked the shell that everything else would be built on.

Video – Cosworth Powered Mk1 Review

Sun, 03 Feb 2019 20:14:06 +0000

Jamie takes this beautiful Mk1 for a spin around the lanes on a soggy west country January day. Loads of custom work has gone into this car with it’s early sierra cosworth head and custom intake.

RS2000

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 03:10:41 +0000

Mk1 Escort RS2000

Released in 1973, the Ford Escort Mk1 RS2000 was the progression from a number of successful RS models that dominated the race and rally scene in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s

Clark Mason Mk1 Escort RS1600 1:24 Model [2017]

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 01:22:04 +0000

Mk1 Escort Model Kit 2017

So we found this beauty on amazon.co.uk – the listing has possibly the worst photo I’ve ever seen on any product ever. Incredibly dodgy photo with a font that was released at the same time the car was dominating the UK rally scene.

Ford Escort Mk1 Compilation

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 00:15:14 +0000

Mk1 Escort Video Compilation

This little beauty just dropped on Youtube vie Mk1Kieran.

A collection of well turned out Mk1 Escorts of all varieties generally misbehaving.

The Blue Mexico at 4:50 caught my eye – stunning motor !

Owners Clubs

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 11:44:26 +0000

Here’s a list of Owners clubs where any Mk1 Escort owner would be welcome.


Club Name	Website	Email
Sporting Escort Owners Club	seoc.co.uk	contactus@seoc.co.uk
The Old Skool Ford	oldskoolford.co.uk	admin@oldskoolford.co.uk
The Ford RS Owners Club	rsownerasclub.co.uk	info@rsownersclub.co.uk
AVO Owners Club	avoclub.com	secretary@avoclub.com
Ford Owners Club	fordownersclub.com	not published
Ford Enthusiast & Owners Club	feoc-uk.com	not published
Ford Owners Club	fordownersclub.com	not published
Ford Sport	fordsport.org.uk	info@fordsport.org.uk
West Sussex RS Owners Club	westsussexrsoc.co.uk	onslack@yahoo.co.uk
Ford Club	fordclub.co.uk	Active Forum
Somerset RS Owners Club	somerset-rsoc.co.uk	not published
Nottingham RS Owners Club	nottingham-rsoc.co.uk	not published
Derbyshire RS Owners Club	derbyshire-rsoc.co.uk	not published
RS Owners Club Ireland	rsownersclubireland.ie	info@rsownersclubireland.ie
ACT Small Ford Owners Club	actsmallfordowners.org	capriandsmallfordmuster@bigpond.com
RS Owners Club Australia	rsownersclubaust.com.au	president@rsownersclubaust.com.au
Ford Owners Car Club S Aust	fordownerscarclub.com.au	not published
Small Ford Car Club NSW	smallfordcarclub.com.au	info@smallfordcarclub.com.au
British Ford Car Club QLD	britishfordcarclub.com	pb.riggs@bigpond.com
Ford Rallye Sport Club (WA)	fordrallyesportclub.com.au	info@fordrallyesportclub.com.au
RS Owners Club NZ	fordrsoc.org.nz	not published

Did we miss anyone ?

Video | RS2000 Tarmac Rally Compilation HD

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 06:34:22 +0000

Fantastic fottage of a well turned out Mk1 at the Famalicao Tarmac Rally – Check out 26 seconds in…

Return to Mk1 Escort Home – Or Mk1 Escort Videos

Cool Stuff

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 13:22:34 +0000

23 February 2017

Clark Mason Mk1 Escort RS1600 1:24 Model [2017]

Mk1 Escort Model Kit 2017 So we found this beauty on amazon.co.uk – the listing has possibly the worst photo I’ve ever seen on any product ever.

Tech Tips

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 13:19:10 +0000

4 September 2009

Mk1 Escort Rally Preparation – Rear Suspension

Mk1 Escort rally preparation – rear suspension The major goal for the rear suspension of any race or rally car, is to prevent sideways movement in …

17 August 2009

Mk1 Escort Rally Preparation – Front Suspension & Handling

For serious rough stage rallying, suspension is probably the most crucial thing to get right.

16 August 2009

Mk1 Escort Rally Preparation – Body Shell

The MK1 Escort has been used for rallying since it’s release in 1968. Now featuring prominently in classic, historic and clubman competitions, the …

Videos

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 08:28:26 +0000

11 April 2021

Mk1 RS1600 carving up the track at Spa 2015

Track Racing a Mk1 Escort RS1600 In this video we follow Joao Pina Cardoso in an escort RS1600 that starts off the back of the grid and progressively…

10 April 2021

Best of Mk1 Ford Escort Rallying

This is a great video showing a variety of Mk1 Escorts being driven on the limit. The audio is amazing and so is the action.

10 April 2021

Mk1 Escort Rebuild – Retropower Gordon Murray Episode 16

It's now September 2019 - The car is coming together, the Escort has gone through an IVA test to get it registered.

10 April 2021

Mk1 Escort Rebuild – Retropower Gordon Murray Episode 15

It's now June 2019 - we get to see the Car's first public appearance at Goodwood Retro Rides weekender along with a bunch of other customer project …

10 April 2021

Mk1 Escort Rebuild – Retropower Gordon Murray Episode 14

In this episode we get a catch up on progress with the Mk1 Escort in April 2019. We get a walk through BTB exhausts, who manufactured the exhaust …

19 March 2019

Fuel Tank, Dash & Power Distribution – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 13

Episode 13: Retropower fits a foam-filled anti-surge fuel tank, sealed boot, Manta column, Speedhut gauges and a programmable PDU to Gordon Murray's …

20 February 2019

Rolling Shell, Engine & Gearbox In – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 12

Episode 12: Gordon Murray's Mk1 Escort becomes a rolling shell with its Cosworth engine and MX-5 gearbox in, plus hidden-mount tanks, a Quaife diff …

19 February 2019

Painted Shell & Nitron Struts – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 11

Episode 11: Gordon Murray's Mk1 Escort comes out of paint, gets wet sanded and polished, and Retropower visits Nitron to see the custom struts being …

19 February 2019

Paint Prep to the Booth – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 10

Episode 10: Retropower's bodyshop takes Gordon Murray's Mk1 Escort from bare metal to the paint booth, with epoxy, polyester, Raptor, alignment and …

17 February 2019

Dry Sump Tank, Plumbing & Zinc Spray – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 9

Episode 9: Retropower finishes the metalwork on Gordon Murray's Mk1, designs a custom dry sump tank, plans every pipe and wire, then blasts and zinc …

14 February 2019

Dry Build Review with Gordon Murray – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 8

Episode 8: Gordon Murray's Retropower Mk1 Escort sits on its wheels for the first time. Gordon checks the driving position, controls and new rear …

13 February 2019

Rotisserie, Binnacle & Dry Build – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 7

Episode 7: Gordon Murray's Mk1 comes off the jig onto a rotisserie, gains a steel instrument binnacle and stiff rear turret structure, and Retropower …

12 February 2019

Metalwork, Dash & Rear Suspension – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 6

Episode 6: carbon bonnet and reworked wings, steel door skins instead of aluminium, a scratch-built structural dash, Opel Manta column and …

11 February 2019

Cosworth Visit & Duratec Build – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 5

Episode 5: Retropower visits Cosworth to see how a Duratec is built for Gordon Murray's Mk1, then plans the dash, tartan trim, belts and rear-end …

10 February 2019

Sills, Floor, Tunnel & Seat Fitting – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 4

Episode 4: scratch-built sills, a full floor and raised tunnel, a front end shaped for dry-sump plumbing, the IRS diff carrier, and Gordon Murray's …

9 February 2019

Jig, Rust Repair & Interior Design – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 3

Episode 3: the Mk1 goes on a jig, the scuttle rust trap is redesigned, accident damage is straightened, a dummy Duratec is fitted and the dash design …

7 February 2019

Bare Shell Verdict & IRS Plan – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 2

Episode 2: the blasted Mk1 shell is assessed, panels are chosen (carbon, aluminium, new pressings) and Retropower makes the case for independent rear …

7 February 2019

The Brief & the Donor Car – Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort Ep 1

Episode 1 of Retropower's Gordon Murray Mk1 Escort restomod: what Gordon asked for, the Cosworth Duratec and six-speed plan, and how the donor shell …

3 February 2019

Video – Cosworth Powered Mk1 Review

Jamie takes this beautiful Mk1 for a spin around the lanes on a soggy west country January day.

13 February 2017

Ford Escort Mk1 Compilation

Mk1 Escort Video Compilation This little beauty just dropped on Youtube vie Mk1Kieran.

5 January 2017

Video | RS2000 Tarmac Rally Compilation HD

Fantastic fottage of a well turned out Mk1 at the Famalicao Tarmac Rally – Check out 26 seconds in… Return to Mk1 Escort Home – Or Mk1 Escort Videos

17 December 2016

Video | Historic Rally Footage

Love the audio on this one – plenty of awesome Mk1’s in this field. Could listen to those twin webers all day.

17 December 2016

Video – Severn Valley Historic Rallly

Plenty of MK1 action in this video. A great mix of marques flying around the Welsh Forests. Back to Mk1 Escort Home or Mk1 Escort Videos

Video | Historic Rally Footage

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 08:15:03 +0000

Love the audio on this one – plenty of awesome Mk1’s in this field. Could listen to those twin webers all day.

Return to Mk1 Escort Home – Or Mk1 Escort Videos

Video – Severn Valley Historic Rallly

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 08:09:10 +0000

Plenty of MK1 action in this video. A great mix of marques flying around the Welsh Forests.

Back to Mk1 Escort Home or Mk1 Escort Videos

Disclaimer

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:30:33 +0000

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Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:25:56 +0000

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Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:20:04 +0000

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Contact Us

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:15:59 +0000

Please use the form below to ask for anything you think we could help you with.

Mk1’s are a great passion of mine & I hope you find this site useful. It is however, a side hobby,

About Us

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:10:48 +0000

I’ve owned and rallied Mk1 escorts on and off for 30 years.

I’ve put this site together to collate all the best information, videos and Mk1 escort related stuff so that both new and old Mk1 fans can enjoy what i’ve discovered out there on the internet and in the archives.

Mk1 Escort Rally Preparation – Rear Suspension

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:14:56 +0000

Mk1 Escort rally preparation – rear suspension

The major goal for the rear suspension of any race or rally car, is to prevent sideways movement in the rear axle and to get the rear axle moving only in an up & down direction.

Mk1 Escort Rally Preparation – Front Suspension & Handling

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:36:38 +0000

For serious rough stage rallying, suspension is probably the most crucial thing to get right. Luckily these days there are plenty of options and aftermarket products to allow for adjustments to ride height, camber etc.

Mk1 Escort Rally Preparation – Body Shell

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:11:08 +0000

The MK1 Escort has been used for rallying since it’s release in 1968.

Now featuring prominently in classic, historic and clubman competitions, the MK1 Escort is still an effective and cheap way to go rallying.