The Ford Escort Mk1 RS is a highly regarded performance hatchback, especially in the United Kingdom, where it enjoys a cult following not unlike the Mustang in North America. It is no surprise, then, that Boreham Motorworks decided to breathe new life into the iconic rally car. The U.K.-based outfit is embarking on an ambitious project to slingshot the first-generation Escort into the 21st Century in partnership with Ford.
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According to Boreham, this is no restomod. Unlike most restomods that start with a donor car, this Boreham Motorworks Mk1 RS is a proper continuation model built from the ground up with original blueprints supplied by Ford. The American carmaker will even approve the chassis numbers that Boreham will assign to each new Escort that it manufactures.
This approach provides the company with a blank canvas to work on, allowing the specialty outfit to update the styling while staying faithful to the signature lines and angles of the original Escort Mk1 RS. To engineer the RS, Boreham laser-scanned the original car and then used advanced computer modelling to reinforce the structure for improved rigidity. The use of carbon fibre for the hood, trunk, and interior panelling should help contribute to the target curb weight of 1,770 lbs (803 kg).
The Boreham Escort is offered with a choice of two engine options. The first is a 1.8-litre twin-cam four-cylinder that makes around 185 hp. That power is fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission called the ‘Ford Bullet’ transmission. Alternatively, there’s a motorsport-derived 2.1-litre four-cylinder that revs to an ear-splitting 10,000 rpm, churning out 296 hp in the process. It weighs less than 187 lbs, comes with a titanium exhaust, and instead of a four-speed transmission, its power is harnessed by a five-speed Dog-leg manual.
Sure, the power output is rather modest, but acceleration and top-end speed are not necessarily priorities for the Boreham Escort. Instead, the car emphasizes the supreme handling abilities enhanced by elements like an aluminum and titanium fully floating rear axle, an ATB limited-slip differential, four coilover suspensions and a 55:45 front-to-rear weight distribution.
In keeping with the theme of a raw driving experience, the Escort lacks tech updates like power steering, traction control or ABS. Instead, Boreham promises “a visceral driving experience with controllable oversteer.” Think old-school Miata, but better.
The cabin does get some creature comforts, though, like heated front and rear windshields and air conditioning. There’s a full roll cage with removable door bars for added safety. The rest of the interior is laid out with a mix of leather, anodized aluminum, and Alcantara to create just the right blend of luxury and racy looks.
Production of the Boreham Escort will be capped at 150 units and is set to kick off in the third quarter of 2025. Interested? Then, be prepared to part with anything in the region of $532,000 (£295,000). That does not include options like magnesium wheels or whatever personalization touches may be requested. There is, at least, a two-year/20,000-mile warranty to sweeten the deal.
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