It’s hard to think of a new-old car better aligned with the general taste of PH than MST’s Mk1 and Mk2. The original rear-drive Escorts remain widely adored, the rally cars are hugely popular, and the scope for modification is considerable. So MST has taken advantage of all that, offering ground-up builds using new shells and all the fabulous rally hardware that exists while keeping the cars road-legal (should you wish).
Whether Fast Road or Touring, Mk1 or Mk2, Duratec, Millington or BDG-engined, it’s practically impossible to make an undesirable car from MST’s catalogue of awesomeness. Because whatever happens, you’ll end with a powerful, rear-drive, road-going rally car built by the people who know them best. One that’ll come with some nice options on top to make it a bit more usable in 2024, though without going overboard as some of the more crazy restomods can do these days. No wonder there’s an 18-month waiting list for Mk1s and Mk2s.
However, there’s a way to beat the wait, as MST now has this Mk1 for sale right now following a change in customer circumstances. And while there is no such thing as an undesirable one, some are more exciting than others. A Mk1 built from a Group 4-spec shell (so a rally car look for the road, basically), it’s powered by a motorsport-spec, dry-sumped, throttle-bodied 2.0-litre BDG; according to MST’s site, that ought to be good for more than 230hp. An auspicious start.
Power reaches the rear wheels via a five-speed, close-ratio manual and Gripper LSD. Indeed the whole thing, as might be expected, is loaded to the gunwales with expensive motorsport hardware, including AP Racing brakes and Bilstein suspension. There’s a hydraulic handbrake, fire extinguishers, harnesses, the whole kit and kaboodle. Somebody thought long and hard about this, for sure.
Plus, well, look at it. Central to the appeal of the Mk1 and Mk2 is their design, and that’s been taken to another level with this MST build thanks to the bubble arches, Minilites, quad Cibies and gorgeous paint that looks a lot like Ford Imperial Blue. Even if it was no good to drive, you’d want to be seen in this. Knowing that it’ll be an absolute blast only increases the want level even further.
It’s complete, it’s for sale, available on either 13- or 15-inch wheels and surely set to be thrilling company for many, many years to come. The price is £174,000 which is a lot of money in anyone’s book. But consider the effort and parts that have gone into this, as well as the fact that any new backdated 911 appears to be half a million, and it’s easy to get your head around. Hardly likely to depreciate much, either, given the pent-up demand and waiting list. Interested? Course you are. MST is open to enquiries right now, although we're reliably informed the car will be at Bicester on Saturday if you'd prefer to see it in person. Just in case you needed another reason to get a ticket…
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