The Ford Escort has an odd legacy. In Europe, it was a compact rear-wheel-drive car that turned out to be a fantastic racecar, and the Blue Oval responded with performance versions such as the Twin Cam with a Lotus-tuned engine and extra sporty RS models. However, the nameplate didn’t arrive in the United States until 1981 and never earned widespread popularity among enthusiasts in the region.
The Mk1 Escort RS was an early high point among the sporty European models. The RS 1600 arrived in 1970 using a Cosworth BDA 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine making 115 horsepower.
The RS 2000 joined the lineup in 1973 using the Pinto 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The power output was 100 horsepower, but the bigger engine was reportedly smoother to drive than the smaller Cosworth powerplant.
The Escort RS Is Back With Lots Of Upgrades
Britain’s Boreham Motorworks is now reviving the original Escort RS as a restomod that updates the car for the modern world. The exterior design is a refined version of the original vehicle. The company removes the quarter bumpers and adds a billet aluminum grille. LED headlight accents replace the original circular lamps.
Boreham is technically calling these Escorts “continumods.” The strategy means that there are no donor cars. The company is building the vehicles from new, and Ford is allowing the to where a continuation of the original chassis numbers.
The original, antiquated engines are gone, and buyers have two choices for this new model. A 2.1-liter four-cylinder produces an impressive 296 horsepower and a redline at a heady 10,000 revs. A five-speed manual gearbox with a dogleg layout channels the power to the rear wheels. The base engine is a 1.85-liter four-cylinder making 183 horsepower. It connects to a four-speed manual gearbox transmission with synchromesh, straight-cut gears.
Lots Of Power And A Low Weight
Boreham reports its Escort restomods can have a curb weight as low as 1,763 pounds, which is a featherweight compared to modern performance cars. Some body panels are steel, while the hood and trunk lid are carbon fiber. Another method of achieving this low mass is not having power steering or power brakes. There’s also no traction control.
The cabin is spartan, with just a pair of sport seats and a roll cage. Four-point harnesses are an option. The classic three-knob setup controls the HVAC system, and there’s a miniscule infotainment screen on the center stack. The analog gauges have anodized center sections. Instead of rear seats, there’s a shelf in the back for storing racing helmets.
Boreham’s Escort RS restomod starts at the equivalent of $375,000 at current exchange rates. The company limits production to 150 units. Production doesn’t begin until the third quarter of 2025. The company is taking reservations for them now, and buyers can select left- or right-hand-drive configurations.
TopSpeed’s Take
The world of restomods is fascinating because these vehicles allow builders to take classic models and rejuvenate them for modern drivers. The specs, especially for the higher-performance model, are very impressive. Imagine being behind the wheel of a 296-horsepower car that weighs just 1,763 pounds during a sporty drive on a curvy road.
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