This 50-Year-Old Ford Just Got Rehashed With Input From a Late Rallying Legend

Here in America, the Ford Escort may not exactly be the first automobile to come to mind when thinking of bona fide go-fast machines. But that story is very different across the ponds flanking both sides of the country.

The Ford Escort is actually one of the greatest motorsports icons in automotive history. Ever. And leaning into that heritage is a little British racing firm by the name of MST Cards Ltd.

The firm just revealed its latest concoction, which is, yes, another Euro-spec Escort restomod. But this one sports a neat trick that greatly sets it apart from any other race-prepped Euro Escort fixer-upper.

Featuring suspension tuned by Colin McRae

MST Cars Ltd.

It’s called the MST MK1 Evo. And while it may just look like some crazy race-prepped restomod on the surface, there’s far more to it than what one can see with the sheet metal.

The looks like a heavily modified Mark I Ford Escort. But underneath is a completely new and modernized chassis, compliments of MST.

MST isn’t the only one that worked its magic. The company says the MK1 Evo actually sports a completely reengineered rear multi-link suspension system.

Said system actually received developmental input from the late Colin McRae, who tested and helped engineer the setup just before his unexpected passing in 2007.

MST Cars Ltd.

Rather than letting McRae’s input be shelved and forgotten, MST put the suspension system on the back burner and slowly kept chipping away at a finalized design.

Now, the system is ready for primetime action with the MK1 Evo. The system also sports World Rally Championship-spec Reiger shocks, which is fitting given the Euro Escort’s storied history in rallying.

MST’s new flagship

MST Cars Ltd.

The MST MK1 Evo joins MST’s long list and history of restoring and building early Euro Escort models.

And that’s because the tiny, small classic economy car is actually a favorite for amateur and professional club car racing. (That also happens to be one of Britain’s most popular pastimes.)

Like MST’s other offerings, the MK1 Evo is a brand-new Mark I Escort shell, complete with its own DVLA-registered VIN and chassis number. So, on paper and by British motoring department standards, it’s a legit brand-new car.

MST Cars Ltd.

MST then gets to work, fitting additional carbon fiber body pieces to keep the body light weight. From there, it all goes ham with more WRC-spec suspension bits, including adjustable Bilstein coilovers, front and rear adjustable arms for camber and castor and an AP-racing brake system.

MST even offers a fully adaptable electronically controlled setup from Tractive with said Reiger adjustable shocks.

MST Cars Ltd.

Under the hood is the choice of a custom-built 2.7- or 2.8-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder from Millington Diamond. The 2.7 is good for 330 or so horses while the 2.8 serves up at least 360.

Said four-cylinder is then paired with a Tractive six-speed sequential or manual transmission and a WRC Motorsport limited-slip differential.

Availability and pricing

Should one of these awesome Escorts tickle your motorsports fancy, the MK1 Evo program starts at around £195,000. When converted to Yankee dollars, that amounts to around $260,000. Thankfully, you’re getting much more than an OG Escort with some restored bits.

MST Cars Ltd.

MST Ford Escort MK1 Evo

• Starts at $260,000

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