The Ford Escort was one of those cars that were initially released as a small get around town car but over time then developed into formidable race cars which excelled on the dirt rally and race circuits of Europe and here in Australia. Even today they are very popular amongst classic racers and sale prices range from $20,000 for a 1975 Manual XL in reasonable condition, up to $195,000 for a 1995 Manual RS Cosworth.
The Ford Escort history is very unassuming, it was first seen at the Brussels Motor Show in 1968 and was the first new model to be produced by Ford of Europe, the amalgamation of Ford Britain and Ford Germany.
A rear-wheel drive small family saloon that took the place of the British Ford Anglia range, the Escort was initially a two-door saloon and later models including a van and four-door saloon body styles with 950cc, 1100cc, and 1300cc petrol engines. Later there was also a 2000cc unit which came in the famed RS2000 performance version that was capable of 110 mph (180 km/h).
The Mk I was also produced by Ford Australia from 1970 to 1975 as a two or four door saloon and as a two-door panel van with 1100cc and 1300cc engines as well as the 1558 cc twin cam unit in the Escort Twin Cam model, which was renamed the Escort GT 1600 in late 1971. Some 67,146 examples of the Mk I were built in Australia, with local sourcing bringing the Australian content of the vehicles to 85 per cent. In 1975 Ford Australia imported 25 MK1 RS2000 Escorts from England for sale in the local market which proved incredibly successful on the racing circuits.
In 1998, at the end of the Mark 6 Escort cycle and after thirty years of production, Ford announced that manufacturing of the Escort would cease with its replacement being the all-new Ford Focus.
Although popular with classic car lover, no one ever really expected that the Escort would be manufactured again, that was until late last year when Ford Escort fans around the world were excitedly awaiting the much anticipated release of the Boreham Motorworks Mk1 Ford Escort RS under licence to Ford Motor Company. Being labelled a ‘Continumod’, this Car and Driver article looks at the new Mk1 Ford Escort RS which is due for release later in the year.
Boreham Launches Mk1 Ford Escort RS with 10,000-RPM Redline – Car and Driver
With 150 cars planned for production, prices are expected to start around £295,000 (US$374,588) which includes a two-year, 20,000-mile warranty and Boreham says the public will get a chance to see the car in mid 2025, with production starting later in the year.
This HSG video takes a closer look at the upcoming Ford Escort Mk1 RS and RS2000
Mk1 Ford Escort Returns! | Boreham Motorworks – HSG Automotive
