Ultimate 'Ford Escort' rally car recreation - MST Mk1 driven 50 years after historic RAC rally win

The MST Mk1 is not, legally or by name at least, a mk1 Ford Escort. But materially and mechanically it's a close match for the formative, 1970s-era, competition-specification version of one of the most famous rally cars there has ever been; and it's both brand new and road-legal.

Built by Motorsport Tools of Pwllheli, it's the work of a company that has spent years supporting, repairing and restoring historic mk1 and mk2 Escort rally cars. It exists in order to supply those who want a more habitable and usable, but still authentic-feeling, brand-new-and-yet-still-classic mk1 Escort with a car they can enjoy on the road as often as they like.

Built out of a mix of MST's own specially designed chassis and body stampings, and competition-grade axles and driveline components of the sort you'd find on a historic rally car, the MST Mk1 is powered by a 2.0-litre, 260bhp Cosworth 'BDG' racing engine of the same family that powered Ford's 1970s rallying Escorts, which revs beyond 8000rpm and sounds ear-splittingly shrill. Our man Matt Saunders found out exactly that on roads close to the Escort's glory-days forest rally stages in Snowdonia, North Wales. Ear plugs at the ready, folks.



Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.

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[thetraininghubedu]

My dad’s old car. Didn’t know it would be so iconic ❤

[carwynellis]

Was great to be involved with this video shoot with Matt and the Autocar team, hope you like the Mk1, its a pleasure bringing these cars to life

[RandyRodgirth]

This thing would definitely be in my 3-5 car lotto win garage (exact number depends on jackpot size!). Perfect to blast down B roads at the weekend

[johncamplin]

What a car, I wish I could afford one. Forget owning modern super cars this is what driving is all about.

[paulcooper]

Blimey 50 years! Remember driving a Cooper S from Oxford to Clocgaenog stage 10 if I remember to watch my first ever RAC. The sound of those cars going through the Welsh forests at night was a sound to behold. Roger Albert Clark was on a mission that day.

[jzed]

Looks and sounds great. Classics never go out of style

[howardmckenna]

THAT grill, THOSE arches over THOSE wheels.
HELL yeah!!!

[desmohead]

Just... lovely. That wide body, fuel injected Escort is pure gold

[Andy_ATB]

An Escort Mk I and the RAC Rally....the perfect combination!! One is still alive and well, the other, sadly has ceased to exist.

[swanblake]

What an amazing car. The sounds are fantastic. Want one so bad. Wish modern engines could sound this way

[bello]

Miss these cars. Own 2 in Jamaica. Fully modified. Was fun to drive back in the days…loved hydro planing in the rain.

[ItsTheNada]

This is why one can never have too many cars. Someone always goes and makes something like this and you’re like dang… I want one.

[patrickcurley]

Super in-depth review of a legend long live the MK1

[TheLRider]

Absolutely stunning, I know those roads and that car looks so beautiful and sounds, even better Thank you. .

[stevesloan]

The BDA was a wakeup call...!
I love my 1700 push rod has a twin cam upgrade.
Development has to be always number one!!!

[stephenkayll]

I have always loved that shape of Escort its so perfect. 10 June 1970, my father placed an order for a red Escort, that night he died unexpectedly, we had to cancel the order!. I remember one with the Rover 3.5l V8 in the mid 70's that was nice.

[dezpennington]

Fantastic, what a car - great video Matt

[abhiendadevill]

I've to play repeat the video to listen to Matt. My mind just lingered on the engine growl.

[I-gs]

Sounds very similar to a TVR AJP8 - absolutely awesome video!

[davidperkins]

To me, the most beautiful car ever...and I've had a few tasty motors, I would buy one in the blind of an eye, if only I had the