 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/ford-escort-vid-gordon-murray-commissioned-restomod/
And Retropower currently have 2 more mk1s on the way.
Yes I remember the original thread but it's closed so I couldn't post this to it.
Not getting at you, just thought people who didn't remember it might be interested in some history
I think the Mk1 Escort is still a very stylish car, it’s aged very well, plenty of later cars look dated, but I don’t think the Escort does. I’d love one built up from a new shell, (I believe someone is producing them now), using up to date running gear.
Nice one OP, loved that & love a Cossie!
Phew!
(Feared this was another RIP thread and would be geeted with an image of a load of white metal wrapped round a tree).
Not into cars as such, i got hooked into that thread / retro power channel as my first car was a white mkI.
I cannot fathom the effert expended on a 4-wheeled vehicle, but the engineering side of me admires their zero compromise attitude.
I’d love one built up from a new shell, (I believe someone is producing them now)
MST do body shells and even complete Mk1 and Mk2 replicas (not exact copies though) if you have deep pockets.
if you have deep pockets.
i understand the hot road/mild rally spec is £150,000? I mean I know it’s pretty much a unique custom car built from scratch, but at the end of the day, it’s a mk1 escort sat on your driveway.
Fools, money something something
Fools, money something something
I know. Like buying a bike for 10K or something, I mean WTF?
i understand the hot road/mild rally spec is £150,000?
The website says from £90k+VAT. That's with Duratec. BDG or Millington Diamond much more.
Stunning I miss my old Mk1 RTF 574 M Mine died on wellihole bridge at honest guv 30mph 😉
I can't believe Gordon allowed them to leave the original transverse hanging engine mounting block on the engine! It sticks uselessly out the front of the engine in this longitudinal installation and looks like a wart in an otherwise perfectly clean and minimalist engine bay!
yes, it's part of the front cover on a std duratec but they could have easily CNC'd up a part without the extra now useless mount on it!
Can I be the first to say I don't like it. I didn't think much of it when it was being built and I like it even less now. I can appreciate the engineering and I love a fast Escort, but it just leaves me cold.
Well it is supposed to mirror a Twin Cam which was pretty standard looking wasn't it, he specifically didn't;t want a hot rodded looking Escort. It you want a more modified looking Escort then the MST mentioned above may look better to you.
I suspect welshfarmer's dislike is similar to mine. It's an Escort shell only, OK not quite as extreme as the 70s "Super Saloons" - replica shells on F5000 running gear. I thought the dry sump tank up front was a cunning idea though as it left a decent boot. At least MST specifically point out that their's isn't an Escort (well sort of) plus it still has an Atlas live rear axle and you can specify a BDG. No carbs though.
Haven't caught up with this episode yet but somebody on here couple years back posted a link to Sniff and Smith podcast (2 men in a field? Episode) and I've been a fan of late brake show/carpervert ever since. Always liked Jonny on 5th gear, he's really created something with his channel.
That would have been before they started doing podcasts, filming together sort of went out the window when Covid struck. They are on Pod 129 now, totaly irreverent stream of stuff they talk about even cars sometimes!
Was at The Late Brake Show live in Manchester last November, it was a brilliant day.
The Video is Field of Dreams Feb 2020 IIRC
I do like Johnny’s YT work. late Brake show and also Smith & Sniff podcasts, plus the barn find stuff.
I’ve also with a few of the posters here on Gordon Murray’s Escort. Great work from Retropower, fine engineering but never I guess having been a Ford fan, it’s seems super boring compared to some of the other Retropower stuff. Similarly the MST Escorts… pah! Just seem like dull retro mods.
Looks like Gordon’s garage is just over the fence from the site I will be at tomorrow dead opposite the brick makers for the locals his test road looks like road outside site (40 limit? )
I think it's a wonderful thing. Just the sort of update I'd do (or would get RetroPowerCars to do) if I had the money. A very useable, small and fun car to own. I'd happily use it as my daily.
I binged these and the Murray collection vids last might - not bothered by the daft bikes but what a wonderful collection of cars. Mostly the Loti but loved his self built Mini special and 280kg racer.
I loved that, properly subtle. Although if it was really a Twin Cam rep, it'd've had rectangular headlamps. Glad it didn't.
The MST is a completely different proposition to what Retropower do and have done with Gordon's Escort. His is what he wanted, built to his exacting specifications. The MST is more catering to the rich Rally fan who wants a bonkers MK1 or2 to thrash everywhere. I've had a poke round the MST Mk1 and it's a great bit of engineering but nowhere near the level of detail that Retropower do having seen two of their previous projects.
Was at The Late Brake Show live in Manchester last November, it was a brilliant day.
Was there too, went to the one in Kent also. A real shame they couldn't get any organised for this year.
The website says from £90k+VAT.
Yeah, I think that's being a wee bit optimistic. In the Youtube fluff piece, he mentions the price about 4mins in. It's still 911 GT3 money
Looks like Gordon’s garage is just over the fence from the site I will be at tomorrow dead opposite the brick makers for the locals his test road looks like road outside site (40 limit? )
That's the place, and some of the other roads were just over on Chobham common - regular lunchtime loops for me but never seen any of his exotica out and about. I thought he was planning to redevelop the site so surprised he's filling the basement with cars.
+1 for Welshfarmer.
Didn't really gel with me and I had two Mk1 Escorts.
For some reason Binky was more enjoyable to watch despite the end result being a bit naff really, but a great and slow journey towards the end.
Looks great to me a proper sleeper !!
Here is a MK1 build I recently watched (it has subtitles). Somewhat less refined that the retropower rebuild and completely bonkers. I think I would rather something that sits between the 2. Something like a proper Ford Works rally car from the early 70s would suit me fine 😉
I know. Like buying a bike for 10K or something, I mean WTF?
My local bike shop recently said that their AVERAGE spend on a new bike and accessories is now just short of £20k. If that is the average it means there are some people paying significantly more. WTaF.
If you are looking for a genuine TwinCam then there’s one for sale here.
https://www.colwallclassiccars.co.uk/cars/1969-ford-escort-mk1-twin-cam
It’s interesting to see the differences in the Murray one, but from a short distance they do look very similar
A snip at £55k, although it is in very good nick. I’ve had a look at it in the metal as it were. I really like Mk1 Escorts but it’s way more than I can afford.
My local bike shop recently said that their AVERAGE spend on a new bike and accessories is now just short of £20k.
If we are talking bicycles - and this is a bicycle forum - I'm calling bullshit.