Petrolheads, rejoice! The iconic Mk1 Ford Escort RS has been resurrected by Boreham Motorworks - not as a resto-modded relic dragged from the scrapheap, but as a meticulously engineered continuation of the 1970s motorsport hero. This isn’t just nostalgia on wheels; it’s a fully reimagined performance machine that blends vintage charm with cutting-edge craftsmanship.

Let’s start with the numbers because they’re properly wild. The top-spec engine is a 2.1-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder masterpiece derived from motorsport, featuring double overhead cams, forged steel conrods, a billet crank, and motorsport-spec fuel and ignition systems. Oh, and it weighs just 85kg. It screams to a dizzying 10,000rpm, delivering 296bhp (221kW) through a five-speed dogleg gearbox and a bespoke titanium exhaust tuned for maximum aural drama. Yes, it’s every bit as bonkers as it sounds.

For those who like their revs slightly less manic, there’s a ‘standard’ 1.8-litre Twin Cam option. This unit produces 182bhp (136kW) and revs to 9,000rpm, paired with a four-speed straight-cut manual gearbox. Both versions, naturally, drive the rear wheels because anything else would be heresy.

But Boreham didn’t stop at the engine bay. The team has reimagined the Mk1 Escort with modern precision, using laser scans of original Ford blueprints to recreate the car’s dimensions. They’ve also beefed it up, using carbon fibre for the bonnet and boot, reinforced steel for the body, and lightweight materials like aluminium and titanium for components including the floating rear axle. The result? A target weight of just 800kg, making this Mk1 RS an agile weapon.

To keep things properly old-school, there’s no power steering, no ABS, no traction control, and not even a brake servo. Instead, you get an ATB limited-slip diff, coilover suspension, and brakes that are modest by modern standards, 260mm discs with four-piston calipers up front and 264mm with two-piston calipers at the rear. Boreham promises a “visceral” driving experience, or, in other words, pure, unfiltered chaos if you’re not on your game.

Visually, it’s as stunning as you’d hope. Boreham’s design director Wayne Burgess, a lifelong Escort fan, has subtly modernised the Mk1’s silhouette. Quarter bumpers and indicators are gone, the grille surround is now aluminium, and the headlights channel racing heritage. Details like the bespoke door handles, taillights, and mirrors enhance the aesthetic without straying too far from the original’s DNA.

Inside, it’s a glorious mix of retro and modern. Leather, Alcantara, a roll cage, and harnesses deliver track-ready vibes, while heated windscreens and air conditioning keep things civilised. The classic dials and redesigned dashboard are simply gorgeous, a fitting homage to the Mk1’s cockpit.

Of course, honouring a legend doesn’t come cheap. Prices for this stunning piece of engineering start at £295,000, with production capped at just 150 units. Deliveries begin in Q3 2025, and each car comes with a two-year or 32,000km warranty.

As Boreham Motorworks boss Iain Muir puts it, “Recreating the Ford Escort Mk1 RS for a new generation is not just about building a car, it’s about honouring a legacy that has inspired driving enthusiasts for over half a century.” At this price point, it’s a dream for the lucky few, but for the rest of us, it’s a reminder that the Escort’s spirit remains as exhilarating as ever.