AN ICONIC car model has been revived nearly 60 years after it was first released – but there’s a catch.
The original Ford Escort has effectively been brought back, though not as a direct factory reissue.
Instead, it returns as the MST Mk1 Sports, a restomod by Welsh firm MST as a modern reinterpretation of the classic Mk1 Escort.
Designed to preserve the look and spirit of the original, it features a handful of fancy mechanical and performance upgrades.
One of the biggest changes is under the bonnet, where a 2.0-litre, 16-valve twin-cam petrol engine produces around 180bhp – nearly double the output of the classic Escort, with even the original RS2000 managing only around 100bhp.
This engine is also paired with a lightweight flywheel, a high-performance exhaust and a close-ratio five-speed gearbox – all of which make the car feel sharper and faster.
MST has also fitted upgraded and adjustable suspension at both the front and rear, along with a Twin Cam anti-roll bar and a torque-biasing differential – designed to improve cornering ability, traction and driver control.
Braking performance is also much stronger than in the original Escort, thanks to disc brakes at both ends and four-piston front calipers.
In terms of looks though, the MST Mk1 Sports stays very faithful to the original Escort despite being built around an entirely new bodyshell that is hand-assembled in the UK.
That includes the gorgeous flared wheel arches, which recall iconic performance versions such as the Lotus Twin Cam, RS and Mexico.
Although the standard paint finish is white, buyers can expect plenty of personalisation with MST willing to supply cars in any colour a customer wants – including various heritage-inspired liveries.
Inside, the cabin continues this blend of old and new, with a deliberately simple and period-appropriate feel to help the car retain its classic character.
There’s old-school front seats and a deep-dish suede steering wheel, but also a few discreet modern additions.
That includes an aftermarket Alpine stereo as well as Thatcham-approved alarm and tracker.
However, while the car revives a 1960s icon, it is priced very much as a specialist modern collector’s motor rather than an affordable classic.
The MST Mk1 Sports starts at £79,500 plus VAT, which takes the real cost to a little over £95,000.
Buyers can also expect a long wait, with lead times of around 18 months.
MST says its 2026 production allocation is already full, so anyone interested would need to act quickly to secure one of the limited build slots still available for 2027.
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