Apparently the bosses at Ford Europe have finally decided to stop chasing the great mass of EV zombies and give us enthusiasts what we've been asking for. Cue Boreham Motorworks, a British company backed by Ford, is behind this project which will be unveiled on December 12th.
According to Autocar UK, the new Escort will be everything fans loved about the original. We know that it is neither an electric car nor a hybrid, thus no batteries, no quiet engines – but just a well-built, good petrol engine paired exclusively with a manual gearbox. It's a purist's dream, looking back to a time when driving wasn't about apps or range anxiety, but about raw, mechanical connection between driver and machine. And it doesn't hurt that the design will be heavily influenced by the RS2000 and the Alan Mann Racing Escort , the same car that dominated the 1968 British Saloon Car Championship.
Early teaser images reveal a car that has clearly been crafted with care and respect for its rally heritage. The headlights, for example, feature plus-shaped DRL lights – a clever historical flirtation with the cross-taped headlights that graced Alan Mann's racing car back in the day. It's a small detail, but it shows that they put a lot of effort into getting this tribute right.
This Mk1 Escort doesn't appear to be a one-off either as Boreham Motorworks have plans for a whole host of 'time correct' upcoming cars, all with Ford backing. These cars will remain true to the original technical specifications and will even be built to period correct VIN-numbers. All to clarify that this isn't a reboot – it's a resurrection.
And if the rebirth of the Escort MK1 doesn't get you excited, Boreham's next project might convince more. The company is also working on a modern "remaster" of the Ford RS200, the Group B rally monster that still haunts the dreams of rally fans worldwide. Unlike the Escort MK1, this RS200 will be built completely from scratch, blending modern technology with the raw performance that made the original such a legend.
Ian Muir, CEO of Boreham's parent company, DRVN Automotive Group, is not shy when it comes to what they want to achieve with these new models. “At DRVN, we understand that true automotive passion comes from the connection between driver and machine—a relationship forged in the sound, feel, and response of a car designed to be driven,” Muir said. “The Ford Escort Mk1 embodies this ethos, blending timeless design with performance that inspires confidence and joy. We design for the road, not the runway. We embrace everything drivers love about cars.”
For anyone who grew up admiring the Ford Mk1 Escort, this isn't just a new car – it's a special moment. A tribute to when Ford knew how to make a car that could dominate an entire rally championship and steal people's hearts at the same time. Ford hasn't been successful with its EVs in the market, and when reception has been anything but successful, one wonders if this could be the PR win they so desperately need. Whether that's enough to improve Ford's reputation in Europe is anyone's guess, but for now it's nice to see Ford embracing its history rather than running away from it.
On December 12, we will see the new Ford Escort MK1.
