A Legend Reborn by Modern Hands
Once a humble rally hero, the Ford Escort has become an unlikely legend. Especially the Mk1 and Mk2 models – lean, lightweight, rear-wheel-drive machines that left a lasting mark on motorsport and the hearts of enthusiasts. Now, British outfit MST (Motorsport Tools) is keeping that spirit alive.
Known for resurrecting these iconic Escorts with hand-built creations that blend modern engineering with vintage style, MST has earned a reputation for doing it right. Their latest project, the Mk1 and Mk2 Sports, dials back the wildness of their 230-horsepower builds and returns to basics. This time, it’s all about pure and analog driving, without the extreme price tag. Relatively speaking, anyway.
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Built Like the Good Old Days, Only Better
Scheduled for production in 2026 (Mk1) and 2027 (Mk2), the new Sports models are a nod to the narrow-arched AVO and RS Escorts of the ’60s and ’70s.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated twin-cam engine with Jenvey throttle bodies, producing 180 hp. That’s routed through a 5-speed T5 manual gearbox and into a live rear axle with a torque-biasing differential. Suspension is Group 1 spec with adjustable dampers and a Twin Cam anti-roll bar, while braking is handled by four-piston calipers gripping vented discs.
The body is all-new, hand-built in the UK with reinforced panels, and comes standard in white with AVO flared arches, chrome trim, and classic 6×13-inch four-spoke alloys.
Inside, it’s a retro-styled two-seater layout with sports recliners, a suede steering wheel, and luggage space in the rear. It’s got modern electrics for daily reliability, but otherwise it’s gloriously simple. Buyers can spec it further with period-correct paint, rally stripes, Cibie spot lamps, Minilite wheels, and more.
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Twice the Price, Twice the Charm
Starting at £74,500 before taxes, or around $115,000 at current exchange rates, the MST Mk1 Sports costs about twice as much as a brand-new S650 Mustang GT. That’s a steep ask for something visually inspired by an old Escort, but there’s more to the story.
Each unit is hand-assembled in limited numbers (just 25 of each variant), with brand-new bodyshells, top-tier componentry, and the kind of focused craftsmanship that no factory Ford could offer. It’s less a car for mass-market muscle buyers and more a collector-grade machine for those who want the feel of a classic, without the compromises of 50-year-old hardware. It’s an indulgence, yes, but a sensible one for fans of the rallying legend.
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