The brand new Ford Escort Mk2 rally cars you can buy in 2021

Are you a fan of seventies and eighties rally cars? Good news, you can step back in time and get your hands on a brand-new UK-built Ford Escort Mk2.

Welsh company MST Cars, which specialises in spares and parts for Ford’s iconic first and second-generation Escort rally cars, has revealed its own unofficial continuation versions of the legendary family saloons.

The hand-built reborn motors aren’t just for competition purposes – there are fully-fledged road-legal cars available to order. 

But they don’t come cheap, with the new Escort Mk2 priced from £78,000 – and the most expensive version priced at £114,000.

The brand new Ford Escort Mk2: Welsh firm MST Cars will build to order a selection of hand-made versions of the 1970s and 1980s iconic rally car

This specification - which comes with flared wheel arches and a full roll cage - is priced from £102,000 (£85,000 before VAT)

This specification – which comes with flared wheel arches and a full roll cage – is priced from £102,000 (£85,000 before VAT) 

MST Cars, which is based in Llithfaen, North Wales, has revealed the first brand new, rear-wheel drive Escort to be produced since Ford’s assembly line in Halewood ceased production in 1980. 

The company has opted to create a number of hand-built vehicles having sold bodyshells and performance components for the classic Fords for years.

Images of the first top-to-bottom MST Cars Escort Mk2 build has been revealed, with the prototype pictured on the latest 70-plate.

The first model – which will be used as a test car in 2021 – is in the ‘Group-4 Rally Car’ guise, which is the third highest specification of four choices available to customers.

It comes with huge flared wheel arches, a full roll cage, choice of performance engines, options for sequential or H-pattern gearbox and a wealth of other competition parts.

This is the prototype MK2 model that will be used for tests and reviews in 2021. Customers can order their cars now

This is the prototype MK2 model that will be used for tests and reviews in 2021. Customers can order their cars now

The prototype is in the 'Group-4 Rally Car' specification, which is the third of four variants in the range

The prototype is in the ‘Group-4 Rally Car’ specification, which is the third of four variants in the range

However, the two lower specifications are tuned more for road use, with a narrower bodyshell and a 2.5-litre Duratec engine under the bonnet producing in excess of 200bhp.

A five-speed gearbox sends drive to the rear wheels, with road tyres wrapping 13-inch Minilte alloys.

Prices for the Mk Fast Road & Touring entry specification start from £65,000 excluding VAT – so £78,000 with tax.

The Ford Escort is widely regarded as a legend of rallying

Both the Mk1 and Mk2 Escort were hugely successful in rallying competition events for decades

The Ford Escort is widely regarded as a legend of rallying. Both the Mk1 and Mk2 Escort were hugely successful in competition events for decades

These are the first images of the top-to-bottom MST Cars Escort Mk2, with the prototype pictured on the latest 70-plate

These are the first images of the top-to-bottom MST Cars Escort Mk2, with the prototype pictured on the latest 70-plate

The entry specification models are tuned more for road use, with a narrower bodyshell and a 2.5-litre Duratec engine under the bonnet producing in excess of 200bhp

The entry specification models are tuned more for road use, with a narrower bodyshell and a 2.5-litre Duratec engine under the bonnet producing in excess of 200bhp

That price can quickly increase with the addition of optional components.

While power steering comes as standard across the range, customers can upgrade the suspension to set-ups from race-proven brands including Blistein, Ohlins and Reiger. 

For the range topping ‘Ultimate Rally Car’ specification with carbon bodywork, a 330bhp-plus Millington Diamond motor, paddle-shift gearbox, WRC-spec pedals and long-travel suspension, prices with tax start from £114,000, with plenty of additions that can ramp-up the total cost. 

Orders are being taken now for both Mk1 and Mk2 MST continuation cars, with production going ahead throughout 2021.

Customers can spec their cars with a raft of options - and that's not just body colour and wheels

Customers can spec their cars with a raft of options – and that’s not just body colour and wheels

Buyers can choose to have a fully bespoke interior or a totally stripped-out cabin for the full rally experience

Buyers can choose to have a fully bespoke interior or a totally stripped-out cabin for the full rally experience

Fans of rallying from the 1970s and 1980s will love the idea of owning a brand-new Escort in 2021

Fans of rallying from the 1970s and 1980s will love the idea of owning a brand-new Escort in 2021

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