New Ford Escort Mk1 RS Revealed – A 10,000-RPM Screamer!

The legend is back, and it’s louder than ever. After half a century of silence, the Ford Escort Mk1 RS has officially returned to the production line. But this isn’t just a restoration; it’s a resurrection. Boreham Motorworks has pulled the cover off its officially licensed continuation model, and the headline numbers are staggering. At its heart lies a brand-new engineering marvel: a 2.1-liter naturally aspirated engine that screams all the way to a motorcycle-rivaling 10,000 rpm. For rally purists, this is the holy grail.

A 50-Year Wait for the Ultimate Escort

It has been decades since the last Mk1 RS2000 rolled off the assembly line in 1975. Since then, the car has cemented its status as a rally icon, a blue-collar hero that took on the world’s toughest stages and won.

Now, the Coventry-based Boreham Motorworks is bringing it back. But unlike the endless stream of “restomods” flooding the market, this Ford Escort Mk1 RS is something different. It is an officially licensed product, built in partnership with Ford, carrying an authentic continuation chassis number. It’s not a modified old car; it’s a brand-new 1970s icon, built with 2020s precision.

The Heart of the Beast: The “Ten-K” Engine

The real star of this show is undoubtedly the engine. Appropriately christened the “Ten-K,” this powertrain is a love letter to high-revving, naturally aspirated performance.

Engineering a 10,000 RPM Scream

Developing a reliable road car engine that spins to 10,000 rpm is no small feat. Boreham Motorworks didn’t just tune an old block; they engineered an entirely new 2.1-liter inline-four from the ground up.

• Power: 325 horsepower (over 150 hp per liter!)
• Torque: 184+ lb-ft
• Weight: A featherlight 187 lbs (85 kg)
• Internals: Billet crankshaft, connecting rods, and cam cover.

To achieve that stratospheric redline, the engine utilizes a dry-sump oil system and four individual throttle bodies, replacing the twin carbs of the original. The result is a throttle response that is razor-sharp and a soundtrack that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

Lightweight Construction

The engineering team used 3D-printed casting technology for the block, allowing for thin-wall construction that saves massive amounts of weight without sacrificing strength. This contributes to the car’s incredible overall curb weight of just 1,764 lbs (800 kg), giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 406 hp per tonne—figures that embarrass many modern supercars.

Not a Restomod: Defining “Continuation”

It is crucial to understand that Boreham’s creation is not a restomod. A restomod takes an existing donor car and modifies it. A continuation model, like this Ford Escort Mk1 RS, is built from scratch using the original manufacturer’s blueprints.

Boreham Motorworks has the legal rights to continue the chassis numbering sequence where Ford left off in 1975. This distinction makes it a “new” historic vehicle, bridging the gap between past and present.

Modern Engineering, Analog Soul

While the blueprints are vintage, the execution is cutting-edge.

• Suspension: A modern coilover setup with reworked geometry and extra chassis bracing ensures the car handles like a modern sports car, not a 50-year-old relic.
• Rear Axle: A fully-floating rear axle constructed from aluminum and titanium reduces unsprung weight.
• Brakes: While effective, they are unassisted.

In a bold move to preserve the purity of the driving experience, Boreham has shunned modern “nannies.” There is no ABS, no traction control, and no power steering. This is a car that demands respect and skill, offering a purely analog connection between the driver, the machine, and the road.

Options for the Purist

While the screaming Ten-K engine is the headline act, Boreham recognizes that some collectors prioritize period-correct authenticity over outright speed.

For those buyers, there is an alternative: a 1.8-liter belt-driven twin-cam engine. Derived from the legendary 16-valve Cosworth BDA unit that powered the original RS1600 to rally glory, this option produces a respectable 182 horsepower. It delivers a more traditional classic car feel, mated to a four-speed manual gearbox with straight-cut gears for that authentic rally whine.

Expert Analysis: The Price of Perfection

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the price. At £295,000 (approx. $388,200), this is an undeniably expensive toy. You could buy a brand-new Porsche 911 GT3 RS for less.

However, to compare this to a modern mass-produced supercar is to miss the point. You are paying for exclusivity—only 150 units will be built worldwide. You are paying for the bespoke engineering of that incredible Ten-K engine. And mostly, you are paying for an experience that simply doesn’t exist anymore: a featherweight, high-revving, analog machine built to aerospace tolerances.

In a world of heavy, computerized EVs and hybrids, the Boreham Escort is a breath of fresh, high-octane air. It serves as a reminder of what driving used to be—and what it can still be for the lucky few.

Conclusion

The Ford Escort Mk1 RS by Boreham Motorworks is more than just a car; it is a rolling piece of history. By combining the iconic silhouette of the 70s with the terrifying performance of that 10,000-rpm Ten-K engine, they have created something truly special.

It’s expensive, exclusive, and completely unhinged—exactly what a proper RS Ford should be. The first production units are expected early next year, and for the 150 lucky buyers, the wait will undoubtedly be worth it.

What do you think of the new “Ten-K” engine? Is a 10,000 rpm redline worth the $388k price tag? Share your thoughts below!

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