The reborn Ford Escort Mk1 RS is keen to conquer the rally stage
Suffice it to say that the Ford Escort Mk1 RS is without a doubt one of the most legendary race and rally cars of all time. It’s really easy to see that even today, there is still a lot of love for it, with a large number of perfectly preserved modifications and classic examples. It’s even more impressive when you consider that there are also companies here in the UK building brand new Mk1 Escorts, from the ground up, with the appropriate license from Ford too! One such endeavor comes courtesy of the folks at Boreham Motorworks, with the new Ford Escort Mk1 RS ‘Continumod’, which blends original DNA with some modern engineering bits.
What’s more, since it’s essentially a new car built from scratch, you won’t need to sacrifice an old Escort RS as a donor car. Creating a custom lounge like this certainly isn’t cheap, as each one comes with a starting price of £295,000! However, at least they offer a 2-year, 20,000-mile warranty with it, which takes a bit of the pain away. We may not have to wait long before we see the Boreham Motorworks Continumod Escort RS on the road, as production is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with a public debut sometime in the summer of 2025. You may want to get your wallet ready now Although only 150 units will be manufactured.
Bringing an old rally legend back to life
Inside and out, while the Continumod is a modern breakout, it’s nice to see that the folks at Boreham Motorworks haven’t cheated on it. In more ways than one, I absolutely love that this is such a respectful and loving tribute to the original! Once you open the hood, you’ll find two different engine options. As standard, you get a 1845cc twin-cam engine that will easily produce 185 horsepower. This is probably the perfect engine for those of you who want to preserve and feel that heritage. Additionally, for added immersion, this engine is matched to a historically accurate 4-speed straight-line synchromesh gearbox, which will take some getting used to.
Optionally, you can also select what suits you New old Ford Escort Mk1 RS Continumod With a race-derived engine. Specifically, you’re looking at a high-revving 2.1-liter engine, with a redline of 10,000 rpm, and producing an impressive 300 horsepower. To get all that power, it’s equipped with forged steel rods, a crankshaft, electronic throttle control, and advanced fuel injection. For better performance and a harsher sound, it will also be paired with a titanium racing exhaust. Another upgrade you’ll get is with this transmission, which is now a 5-speed unit, and it’s also a dog leg manual, which should be a lot of fun to drive with.
An analog experience in a digital world
I think you can get away with the Escort Mk1 RS Continumod properly too, since it has a very lightweight weight of 800kg. On that note, while they are a relatively small group, Boreham Motorworks is capable of achieving OEM level Quality thanks to their extensive use of CAD when designing the Continumod. Furthermore, each Continumod model will be built using modern tools and fixtures, as well as using a reinforced steel frame. By default, it will have some structural improvements, which are improved by adopting some carbon fiber components on the panels such as the hood. You’ll also find pieces in titanium and aluminum as well.
Along with reduced weight and improved rigidity, you’ll be able to enjoy the Escort Mk1 RS, brought back to life, with improved suspension. In particular, it gets MacPherson struts up front, along with a custom-made aluminum and titanium fully floating rear axle. Another nice change is the inclusion of an ATB limited-slip differential and coil-over dampers, as well as a larger set of brakes. To be precise, they are 260mm ventilated discs at the front and 264mm solid discs at the rear. Even the interior got a noticeable update, blending the classic look of the Escort Mk1 RS with some modern comforts, like Alcantara, plus proper air conditioning and a working heater.