Just turned 51 this year and it takes me back to the mid 80s, we were basically kids around 17, some with full and some with provisional licences. We spend countless evenings building Escorts in numerous cold and damp garages around our little South Wales valley ready for a weekend blast. Friday evening would come and a handful of us in a couple of Escorts would hit the road and head to the Brecon Beacons around half an hours drive away. It was a different time back then, the road were empty and going less than a ton was fast enough. After a couple of hours we would head for Swansea and cruise the Kingsway to watch the older girls leaving the nightclubs in the early hours, then a blast home back over the mountains to get home before sunrise..... Do I miss those simple times? You bet I do.... Memories are a fabulous thing.
It's incredible that you can get a TV level of production for something without the widespread appeal required for shows like fifth gear. Massive kudos to you for what you've done with the channel in such a short space of time.
Thank you for the comment, it means a lot. We have strived to make TV quality content on a very small budget, with freelance individuals. The support from viewers and Patreon subscribers has been vital. Onwards and hopefully upwards!
@@TheLateBrakeShow agreed, great presentation Jonny, really entertaining and passionate. And this car, what a perfect inspiration for my datsun 1200 restomod! Awesome!
These types of projects are the most exciting development in the automotive enthusiast world right now. We've collectively realized that enthusiast ICE cars really are past their production peak, and some historic platforms were, for all practical purposes, close to perfect. Now they're being resurrected and made immortal. Almost brings a tear to the eye.
As you say Jonny, you can have enormous fun at sane speeds...."it doesn't have to be all about doing 130 mph" Another serious point is that this is a car which actually fits UK lanes, making the drive less stressful.
I always think of the Fawlty Towers episode "Waldorf Salad" where the American tourist is complaining about having to take some back street called the M5, and Basil replied "Well, I'm sorry if it wasn't wide enough for you. A lot of the English cars have steering wheels."
There’s been a lot of negativity against these cars. Purists claiming they’re not original blah blah. Who cares?? You get in that, you get out with a smile on your face and that’s what it’s all about, superb!
I have a old mini, totally rebuitl as a racing monster. purist hate me, cuz not original blah blah. I dont care. its my car, and I paid for it, not the purist.
always been a fan of the escorts particularly the mk 2. I used to make up part of my income repairing and reselling them. these new shells will be much better than the original ones most of the original shells had the rear axel at least 1/2 an inch offset to one side because ford's tolerances were so slack!
My 1st was an 1100. The dealer had a 1300 sport, but my dad ( who was subsidising it) wouldn’t wear it. He was right. 3 months later I’d pranged it rather badly. Correctly, he said I’d have to save up to get it fixed, so it was back on the bus to work. That old baby took some abuse though. Near where I grew up there’s lots of roads like those Jonny was on there. When it snowed I’d spend hours going sideways round every bend. Brilliant episode Jonny, as always. One of the best channels on RUclips 👍👍👍👍👍
I learned to drive in a mk2 L and the tail-end of the era when every kid wanted an RS2000 as their first car. I didn't realise until now that what I really want is a road-going rally-spec new mk2. Thanks, Jonny.
Nowt wrong with a sorted rs2000 ecpecially if you could afford a bda lump. Me, I just had it bored to 2.1/twin 40's and had nitrous to piss people off.
I remember back in 1962 my favorite teacher asking what the world would be like when I was grown up. Never had a clue I would be able to meet people around the world and share their interests and passions. Jonny, first you show me a car, then you remind me why life is cool. Wonderful to be on this journey with you because these are the days worth living for.
....and this is a great idea, especially when cars are turning into automatic washing machines with electric power and self driving thingy, wheres the rumble and tumble?! This is a good idea, many old classics should be ''built-new'' retromodded, I would buy one and have one imported here to my country if I could just to support the company doing this....ok ok I'll have some innocent fun driving it too. ;)
@Andrew Kay much obliged. Shouldn't be too long before we've got the MK1 prototype to play around with. We're hoping that if we can promise Jonny some weather warmer than than it was when he filmed this (approx. temp when he was here was somewhere between "Arctic" and "my ex's heart") that he'll come and take it through it's paces
I love how U,K car people aren't like the u,s & where i live . There are hardly ever brand arguments in the comments . But if i go on a video for mustangs ,chevy guys will make ignorant prick comments. I don't see that in U K car videos or when im in the U,K.
As an Essex Boy - This has made my evening. So many fond memories of these cars and so nice to see how these classic shapes endure. Also - nice to see you getting a cheeky bit of sideways action in some of these shots.....or was that just my rose-tinted glasses?!?!
Absolutely brilliant. As someone who lived and rallyed through the 70s, albeit in the US, I revel in the recreation of cars still unaffordable. Thank you.
@@Digitall3 yeah man ..isnt it fucked up that no-one on TV realised they could do no compromise car content and we would watch it. I bet they'd sell their grannies for this type of content now and regular viewers.
I loved my red Mk2, Pinto, Compomotives, bib spoiler, Boot spoiler, sports seats. Drifting wasn't even a word back then. We all loved a wet roundabout. Happy days.
If you watch carefully, at 11:00 you can see a grown man having a full-on crisis. We’re with you all the way Johnny and literally feel your pain. Well done MST for being brave and identifying a massive demand-gap in the market. I bet if everyone watching this had £70k in their back pocket, every one of them would place an order. Thanks again
I have owned 4 mk2 escorts in my time and to this day they are the most beautiful brittish cars introduced into the rest of the world. I wouldn't hesitate to own another. Such great well balanced and easy to work on. I will always love the escorts but price's have stopped me from doing so. It's also good to see UK keeping the unique shape and unvailing the "New" escort because that is what people like me want to see. Ford escort forever ❤👌
Awesome just Awesome.And I want both the MK1 and MK2 only because I had both models as a teen with a MK1 Mexico and later an RS2000 which led to a few Capri 2.8 injections!! Those were the days and these cars are Simply Classics.Kudos to the Builder for doing what he’s doing🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Your passion for cars and driving is truly refreshing. There is an element of sincerity and humility to how you talk about these wonderful new old iconic beasts.
Restomods are the way forward - None of the hassles of welding, perished parts, rusty sills, etc... I want a "classic" to drive, not just to say I have one! - Kudos to those that have classics and do drive them!! Great stuff Jonny!!
I Googled old escorts and found something totally different 😂 Absolutely brill vid and what a car. Love the whole set up of the business and some owners are going to have some special cars indeed.
Beautiful I’m an Irish ☘️ Boy living in Swizerland and this just bought back the memories. Great video, every second person had a Mark 1 or 2 escort…. Or a Corolla … Learnt to drive in a orange one with a vinyl roof. Ooh the memories!! I’ll be back to see the video on that Mark 1 when it’s completed.
Thank you Jonny - it's great to be able to watch and enjoy your content. What a welcome difference to the magazine shows we have today and have had on TV for years. Just perfect.
I've been pestering Harry to test one of these but unfortunately, he's coming across more and more as a badge snob these days. I mean, £3+ million for Gordon Murray's T50, when Gordon actually drives a similar spec'd mk1 Escort built by RetroPower. Sorry, I call that blatant hypocrisy.
This says a lot! It says how fundamental dull modern cars are. Designed to bore us in to buying another after 18 months. Whereas that escort, well, it’s alive and everyone on this channel will want one . Brilliant idea, and no doubt we shall see others....
Well, when the Escort was new it was a fundamental dull car aswell and due to rust they didn't last much longer than 18 months either. It's just that the driving experience in this leightweight 70s/80s tinboxes is so much different and more fun than modern cars that they become more desireble than they were new.
Never been a fan of an Escort (I'm more of a Mini person myself) but if I won a big amount of money my second car purchase would be one of these, kitted out for long drives and used regularly. So much more interesting and desirable than pretty much any new car I can think of. More of this please, cars with character are getting rarer.
I bought a BMW M2 for half the price of this! I wanted rear wheel drive. 356bhp...six speed manual rear wheel drive, lsd. Great fun,like a Ford Escort...can be steered with the throttle. I've owned many escorts including a mk1 twin cam! I don't really like bm's but it's very good in the wet.Very few rwd cars on the market.,for a 59 year old an like me!
Wonderful! I had a mk1 RS2000 when I was 18 (1986). I bought it and did it up, and stupidly I sold it in 1988!!....the biggest mistake of my life! Great video and I wish MST all the success with this. 👍🏻
Thanks Johnny, owned a 1980 Mk2 Escort Harrier in my late teens. Now 50 years old and 30 cars later it’s only that car and my MK1 Golf GTI I regret selling.
The Harrier was a Ford Limlted Edition rebrand name Manufactures did, to spread the sales market in what was the 1600 Sport. The Linnet was the 1300 Sport.. as a shell/running gear if not elsewise. I too had a 79 - T 1600 Sport, (Peppermist Green) did need the RS Spoiler to hold the backend from stepping out !! Otherwise stock, on Michelin ZX's it would go as it was breed anywhere.. all more. The Howl of induction of even the single Twin Choke Weber... the sound you where going fast. Today EFI and Coil packs.. you need the rev counter that it's running. As for Electric.. hands up.. who has not as yet been almost rundown.. and I'm not deaf, they should make a noise, their on you so fast and silently.. ok before I'm off topic. Only failings in all the years of joy, the common worn top distributor bush which led to not starting on cold cracking, only if very cold, low battery amps or high speed misfire with excessive play. And rusted rear archs/boot wells.. Yet as a car it's that passion that has me here today.. yes I too regret in parting with it, as for Classic Sport prices 12-13K+..
I actually couldn’t get off the toilet once I saw this. Had to watch from beginning to end - and even rewind some parts! I can now finally wipe my bum with a big smile on my face and fuzzy feeling in my heart 😍
Channels like yours are what makes RUclips and modern media amazing. This would never be possible on broadcast but I sat glued to all of this. Thanks 😊👍
Almost at the second that I wondered what Russell Lord thought about this business, you played his message! I am so glad he chimed in! Very cool video of a very cool reimagining!
I'm not even a car guy but there's something about modern built escorts that gets me more excited than any supercars.You don't have to be going as fast as a missile to have fun and these cars are a prime example of how a driving experience should be.Great video.
Owned 3 mk1 escorts in my youth, bloody loved them, building up hot motors and racing them with my mates at the Saturday night illegal drags are fantastic memory’s I will never forget.
Jonny Smith; you are a lucky lucky boy. And we're lucky that you got to share this epic car with us. Superb car and another broadcast quality episode. You did look close to tears at a few points, and it's easy to understand why.
I loved that little bit of drifting on those roads. Looked so good. Reminded me of me and my mates in hooning around the gold coast hinterland in the late 80's in escorts, geminis and datsuns.
I did see it on its last day of use as car 00 for the WRC in Wales before they replaced it with the Subaru Impreza they now have to do the high speed stage check before the WRC cars come through.
My first car in 1983 was a mark 2, genuine barn find, it had collapsed onto the car, recon engine installed by me and dad, great memories. Cracking film quality👍
Love these old hot hatches from the 1980s. Drove a 1987 Honda CRXSI for 12 years and really enjoyed its performance, simplicity and frugality. A simpler time than today for sure! ☺
Lovely piece! I live in the States, and in '78, when making a visit to the local bank, in the lobby, I found what was to become my first new car and forever love, a Ford Fiesta, and my 21st birthday present. It was very much styled, and handled like your Escort! With a 2ltr, 4cyl, 5spd it was a little rocket sled, and I loved the way it handled! It also had the 13" wheels, and literally turned on a dime, with little to no tip, just hugging the road down straight-aways and corners alike! Always wanted to replace it, and after watching your video on the mk2, I think I'm in love again! I just hope I can bring it here to Washington. I'll catch you on Instagram. Kudos man! Thanks!
So lovely to see your interest and joy. You have seen that you have tapped into the core of down to earth car enthusiasts by your viewing numbers. I have no interest in cars that I could never afford and would probably be embarrassed to be seen driving. Thanks
That's my view on it these days. If it hasn't already been rallied, then keep those shells for restoring road cars and use the new shells for rallying.
Gotta love a mk2,what a great company bringing a new spin on a great classic car, perhaps more companies should resurrect other great classics in the same Way, much better than The modern souless cars of today
My parents had multiple RS2000s and Mexico's. I'm in California now, and may well be in the position to buy a GT3 this summer. Watching this brings tears, and makes me think I'd rather have one of these. Thanks Jony.
WOW , This is stunning and I'm wetting my pants right now , Is this kinda identical to what David Brown has done to Original Mini ? Fantastic again Jonny , We need more classics like this before this electric era takes over , AWESOME 👍👍👍👍
If you didn't put this video production out there we wouldn't pickup these interesting small businesses the likes of MST. This is pure gold had me on the edge of my seat, brilliant. so thank you.
Brilliant to hear, thank you so much Derek. I believe interesting cars and interesting businesses need celebrating more than ever - especially local ones.
I love this. Of course my instinctual reaction was "79 grand?!", just like most other people who are old enough to remember when usable Mk 2s were going for 70 quid. But then, if I did have 79 spare grand kicking around, I'd be hard pressed to think of any car I could buy brand new at that price that I could look at and every time have a massive smile on my face. Awesome video Jonny, you have a lovely way with words and your enthusiasm really shines.
Although not badged as a Ford, no one will mistake its identity. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this company having to build bigger premises in the very near future due to demand. I’m looking for a two door mk2 but even rust ridden ones are selling for way too much and maybe more than this companies new shell what with the cost and time of rebuilding the old shell etc.. hats off .. 👍
Bought my 3dr Mk1 Escort for £100 back in the mid 80’s, I wasn’t even old enough to drive at the time, my Dad and I visiting the scrappy to buy parts to upgrade wheels, seats etc 😁 Happy memories. There was a guy living close by to me with a flat front RS2000 in signal yellow, a stunning thing, I loved that car. Mk2 Mexico’s, Mk2 16 Sports, Mk2 Harrier, Mk1 XR2, Mk2 XR2, Mk3 XR3 and Mk3 XR3i, Mk3 RS Turbo, highly tuned Mk1 Escort, Mk3 Capri 3.0S with a Burton engine, Capri 2.8i Special, Mini 1275GT Clubmans, Lotus Sunbeams, Sunbeam Ti all could be seen in any numbers in Sarn Park services on the M4 on any given night. Happy memories of my life when life was so much less complicated.......................... 🏴🏴🏴
My son just messaged me he said let's get a Bullet Mustang I said nah let's get one of these . I've owned a few Mk 2 Escorts and you feel as one with these cars . Would love to get one sent down under here in Aus
That part of Wales is one of my favourite places on the planet. Around Pwllheli its just stunning. Haven't been into Wales since 2019 due to lockdown, miss the place loads even though I can see the North Wales coastline from my towns beach.
I raced, hill climbed and rallied a MK1 escort Mexico 1600 with 4 speed close ratio box back in 1976 - 79 ish here in NZ. I built it from a stock road car and added all the go fast goodies and Billstein front struts and outboard mounted rear shock turrets with Billstein shock absorbers. It was putting out about 100 BHP at the rear wheels on a Dyno out of the pushrod 1600 Ford engine. All the work I did myself apart from having the engine parts balanced. Not much HP by today’s standards but was very competitive in the 1301 - 1600cc class I raced in. Had a few minor crashes and rolled it once in a Forest rally. An amazing amount of fun at the time. I remember when the MK11 was first released in NZ in 1975 and one of the top NZ rally drivers sponsored by Ford Motocraft gave it a maiden victory in the NZ international rally. What a marketing coo for Ford NZ at the time. The Cosworth Ford BDA engine has an amazing sound to it when cranked at 9000 revs. I look at the current WRC cars and think, wouldn’t it be amazing to drive one of them having all that traction to propel you out of corners instead of wheel spin in the old rear drive cars. Yes amazing there is still the demand for the old escorts. 😀😀😀
The car that taught most of us how to drive a car correctly! Just a shame that the fun police won't appreciate our sideways skillset at every junction and roundabout like they did back in the 80's And the sound of a 2.0 pinto with a twin choke weber at full tits is unrivalled.
I’m a biker I don’t watch car reviews. I’m so pleased I watched this video. The Mk 1 red beautiful, I had one like that when I was a spotty youth. I sold it and bought a fiat strada what was I thinking. I like your presenting Style and beautiful scenery. Thank you very much. Stuart
That car represents everything we petrol heads LOVE about cars and driving. What an utterly wonderful, loveable concept. Id have this over any Lambo or anything modern. This has all the new things you need yet you are still driving something totally true to the period....period. What a fabulous video Jonny! This is what loving cars is all about. Love the S60 - incredibly rare 😍 The ironic thing is that car will probably get more attention than any supercar and is way more fun. It even sounds like it’s from the 70s despite it’s modern underpinnings.
My uncle bought an MKII that the owner had put stripes and GHIA labels on. The battery was in the boot. but it was stunning, even in imitation. He survived an, lets say, unlikely, (broke his neck) injury last year. Arms and legs still work, I'd give a lot to see the legend drive an MKII again.
As a mk2 escort owner, who better to watch a video of the new mst mk2 than Jonny, perfection 👌
Wonderful stuff, So many memories of the 70s and 80s hooning Mk1s around.
Just turned 51 this year and it takes me back to the mid 80s, we were basically kids around 17, some with full and some with provisional licences. We spend countless evenings building Escorts in numerous cold and damp garages around our little South Wales valley ready for a weekend blast. Friday evening would come and a handful of us in a couple of Escorts would hit the road and head to the Brecon Beacons around half an hours drive away. It was a different time back then, the road were empty and going less than a ton was fast enough. After a couple of hours we would head for Swansea and cruise the Kingsway to watch the older girls leaving the nightclubs in the early hours, then a blast home back over the mountains to get home before sunrise..... Do I miss those simple times? You bet I do.... Memories are a fabulous thing.
Bliss. We've all been there.
Fantastic post Sir
@@oddities-whatnot thank you. I’m going to edit this better on the weekend.
You need a Mark 1 time machine.
@Cubey thank you 🙏🏽
It's incredible that you can get a TV level of production for something without the widespread appeal required for shows like fifth gear. Massive kudos to you for what you've done with the channel in such a short space of time.
Thank you for the comment, it means a lot. We have strived to make TV quality content on a very small budget, with freelance individuals. The support from viewers and Patreon subscribers has been vital. Onwards and hopefully upwards!
@@TheLateBrakeShow agreed, great presentation Jonny, really entertaining and passionate.
And this car, what a perfect inspiration for my datsun 1200 restomod! Awesome!
Living near Detroit, it would have likely been years before learning about MST!
I appreciate the channel!
These types of projects are the most exciting development in the automotive enthusiast world right now. We've collectively realized that enthusiast ICE cars really are past their production peak, and some historic platforms were, for all practical purposes, close to perfect. Now they're being resurrected and made immortal. Almost brings a tear to the eye.
The ICE car will be like the modern horse. Something for sport and enjoyment, but not for basic transport :)
I agree well said.
Beautifully put.
@@MrLundefaret Except that the government will make sure you can't drive it anywhere.
@@Zero_Ninety the government can try and do what they want, but if people kick off they'll have to change their minds.
Hi everyone just thought I’d drop in there that I worked on and painted the mk 1 rs mentioned in this clip, was cool to be part of.
Not sure i believe you! Begging for work lol
Wanna see something cool? A mk1 found in the West Australian outback. Amazing ruclips.net/video/VE3v3Bn-WmE/видео.html
As you say Jonny, you can have enormous fun at sane speeds...."it doesn't have to be all about doing 130 mph"
Another serious point is that this is a car which actually fits UK lanes, making the drive less stressful.
well said
Driving a slow car fast is more fun than driving a fast car slowly.
Although I reckon this thing is quite rapid...
I always think of the Fawlty Towers episode "Waldorf Salad" where the American tourist is complaining about having to take some back street called the M5, and Basil replied "Well, I'm sorry if it wasn't wide enough for you. A lot of the English cars have steering wheels."
Boy , do they fit round these lanes lol : )
@@phuzz00
I would not say it is a slow car. Ford Escorts MK1 and MK3 were light weight cars as well so it makes them fun to drive.
There’s been a lot of negativity against these cars. Purists claiming they’re not original blah blah. Who cares?? You get in that, you get out with a smile on your face and that’s what it’s all about, superb!
Just snobbery with the purists
I have a old mini, totally rebuitl as a racing monster. purist hate me, cuz not original blah blah. I dont care. its my car, and I paid for it, not the purist.
always been a fan of the escorts particularly the mk 2. I used to make up part of my income repairing and reselling them. these new shells will be much better than the original ones most of the original shells had the rear axel at least 1/2 an inch offset to one side because ford's tolerances were so slack!
Who cares, the look on the modern Focus aRSe owners face when you stick with him would be priceless.
@@longlowdog my mate had a focus RS MK2 he ox’s it at 6 years old for £2000 less than he paid
Now that’s motoring value
As someone who’s first car was a mk1 escort 1300 sport I actually can’t think of anything better to spend £70,000 on
Abso-fucking-lutely
What’s not to like lol
My 1st was an 1100. The dealer had a 1300 sport, but my dad ( who was subsidising it) wouldn’t wear it. He was right. 3 months later I’d pranged it rather badly. Correctly, he said I’d have to save up to get it fixed, so it was back on the bus to work. That old baby took some abuse though. Near where I grew up there’s lots of roads like those Jonny was on there. When it snowed I’d spend hours going sideways round every bend. Brilliant episode Jonny, as always. One of the best channels on RUclips 👍👍👍👍👍
@@frenchenstein the price
ruclips.net/video/MggphiPQMbk/видео.html
I learned to drive in a mk2 L and the tail-end of the era when every kid wanted an RS2000 as their first car. I didn't realise until now that what I really want is a road-going rally-spec new mk2. Thanks, Jonny.
Nowt wrong with a sorted rs2000 ecpecially if you could afford a bda lump. Me, I just had it bored to 2.1/twin 40's and had nitrous to piss people off.
I remember back in 1962 my favorite teacher asking what the world would be like when I was grown up. Never had a clue I would be able to meet people around the world and share their interests and passions. Jonny, first you show me a car, then you remind me why life is cool. Wonderful to be on this journey with you because these are the days worth living for.
This is your best video yet.
....and this is a great idea, especially when cars are turning into automatic washing machines with electric power and self driving thingy, wheres the rumble and tumble?! This is a good idea, many old classics should be ''built-new'' retromodded, I would buy one and have one imported here to my country if I could just to support the company doing this....ok ok I'll have some innocent fun driving it too. ;)
_Yep!, And l'm sure there's more BEST VIDEOS in you Jonny!_
I agree🤣❤️
We also agree
@Andrew Kay much obliged. Shouldn't be too long before we've got the MK1 prototype to play around with. We're hoping that if we can promise Jonny some weather warmer than than it was when he filmed this (approx. temp when he was here was somewhere between "Arctic" and "my ex's heart") that he'll come and take it through it's paces
Thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed that, hanging on every single second. Well done, and well done MST for having the balls to get the job done!
I love how U,K car people aren't like the u,s & where i live . There are hardly ever brand arguments in the comments .
But if i go on a video for mustangs ,chevy guys will make ignorant prick comments. I don't see that in U K car videos or when im in the U,K.
@@hieronymus..bosch8532 A well sorted car is a well sorted car, doesn't matter to us what brand built it originally.
As an Essex Boy - This has made my evening. So many fond memories of these cars and so nice to see how these classic shapes endure. Also - nice to see you getting a cheeky bit of sideways action in some of these shots.....or was that just my rose-tinted glasses?!?!
Don't need to be an Essex Boy to have fond memories of Escorts, no not those sort of escorts ;)
1st car was a 1300XL in Copper Bronze
No other car tugs at my heart like a MK1 does.
Absolutely nothing else.
class cars
I agree man, I agree hundred times... A Mexico is my pure happiness
Same here for me, why wasn't the mk1 featured! I am so upset just seeing glimpses of the mk 1, Would have loved to see more of the mk 1
The MK1 looks better than the MK2.
Same as me man. My first three cars were mark ones .two 1100s and 1 1300 xl.
Absolutely brilliant. As someone who lived and rallyed through the 70s, albeit in the US, I revel in the recreation of cars still unaffordable. Thank you.
Watching people do what they love doing is so easy.
Both Jonny and MST in this instance.
@@Digitall3 yeah man ..isnt it fucked up that no-one on TV realised they could do no compromise car content and we would watch it. I bet they'd sell their grannies for this type of content now and regular viewers.
I loved my red Mk2, Pinto, Compomotives, bib spoiler, Boot spoiler, sports seats. Drifting wasn't even a word back then. We all loved a wet roundabout. Happy days.
If you watch carefully, at 11:00 you can see a grown man having a full-on crisis.
We’re with you all the way Johnny and literally feel your pain. Well done MST for being brave and identifying a massive demand-gap in the market. I bet if everyone watching this had £70k in their back pocket, every one of them would place an order.
Thanks again
Damn right!
Yep
I have owned 4 mk2 escorts in my time and to this day they are the most beautiful brittish cars introduced into the rest of the world. I wouldn't hesitate to own another. Such great well balanced and easy to work on. I will always love the escorts but price's have stopped me from doing so. It's also good to see UK keeping the unique shape and unvailing the "New" escort because that is what people like me want to see. Ford escort forever ❤👌
Awesome just Awesome.And I want both the MK1 and MK2 only because I had both models as a teen with a MK1
Mexico and later an RS2000 which led to a few Capri 2.8 injections!!
Those were the days and these cars are Simply Classics.Kudos to the Builder for doing what he’s doing🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
This is epic both the subject and the presentation
I second that!
Late Brake gang smashing it at the moment. Well done.
Absolutely sold and I'm not even a Escort fan. Fabulous production as always and a great advert for Wales once we can go on holiday!
Your passion for cars and driving is truly refreshing. There is an element of sincerity and humility to how you talk about these wonderful new old iconic beasts.
@@Jay-H2SX I’m not from Wales but I’m assuming this was probably filmed before the lockdown?
@@prashanthp5448 No, he was wearing a face covering at times 😷
Restomods are the way forward - None of the hassles of welding, perished parts, rusty sills, etc... I want a "classic" to drive, not just to say I have one! - Kudos to those that have classics and do drive them!! Great stuff Jonny!!
Just a full shell available makes complete cars so rotten that welding doesn’t make sense viable again.
I Googled old escorts and found something totally different 😂 Absolutely brill vid and what a car. Love the whole set up of the business and some owners are going to have some special cars indeed.
This almost felt like a bit from 5th Gear. Well done Johny and your camera guy/s.
When I did radio crew I used to love the sound of the Volvos echoing around the valleys. Nice 5 cylinder getting hammered.
Beautiful I’m an Irish ☘️ Boy living in Swizerland and this just bought back the memories. Great video, every second person had a Mark 1 or 2 escort…. Or a Corolla … Learnt to drive in a orange one with a vinyl roof. Ooh the memories!! I’ll be back to see the video on that Mark 1 when it’s completed.
Thank you Jonny - it's great to be able to watch and enjoy your content. What a welcome difference to the magazine shows we have today and have had on TV for years. Just perfect.
This channel and Harry's garage are the best motoring channels on RUclips.
Thanks v much
Plus Project Binky of course.
Simply put, proper journalistic expertise 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I've been pestering Harry to test one of these but unfortunately, he's coming across more and more as a badge snob these days. I mean, £3+ million for Gordon Murray's T50, when Gordon actually drives a similar spec'd mk1 Escort built by RetroPower. Sorry, I call that blatant hypocrisy.
wait ai need to make screen ....epic comment..
This says a lot! It says how fundamental dull modern cars are. Designed to bore us in to buying another after 18 months. Whereas that escort, well, it’s alive and everyone on this channel will want one . Brilliant idea, and no doubt we shall see others....
Well, when the Escort was new it was a fundamental dull car aswell and due to rust they didn't last much longer than 18 months either. It's just that the driving experience in this leightweight 70s/80s tinboxes is so much different and more fun than modern cars that they become more desireble than they were new.
You're putting your opinion across as though its fact.
And - dare I say - they might stand a better chance of maintaining it, too?!
Never been a fan of an Escort (I'm more of a Mini person myself) but if I won a big amount of money my second car purchase would be one of these, kitted out for long drives and used regularly. So much more interesting and desirable than pretty much any new car I can think of. More of this please, cars with character are getting rarer.
I agree Neil, I used to own a Chevette HSR road car. I'd have plenty of fun with an MST mk2.
I bought a BMW M2 for half the price of this! I wanted rear wheel drive.
356bhp...six speed manual rear wheel drive, lsd.
Great fun,like a Ford Escort...can be steered with the throttle.
I've owned many escorts including a mk1 twin cam!
I don't really like bm's but it's very good in the wet.Very few rwd cars on the market.,for a 59 year old an like me!
Wonderful!
I had a mk1 RS2000 when I was 18 (1986). I bought it and did it up, and stupidly I sold it in 1988!!....the biggest mistake of my life! Great video and I wish MST all the success with this. 👍🏻
Bruh i wasn't expecting such clean job, that's brilliant .If anyone wants do the same with Sierra's, im in .
Yeah tbh I'd rather have a Sierra if I had the money
Yea boy, also, for me anyway, a Mk4 cortina would be wicked!
"I'm not Ari Vatanen" he says, shading his eyes from the sun just like Ari Vatanen in Climb Dance
Think it was the GR yaris video he quoted climb dance too
Should have crashed it while saying “I’m not Malcolm Wilson”.
@@timc5969 HA HA HA!
Damn I was hoping I'd be the first to comment this! haha
I'll have one of each when I win the Euro millions on Tuesday
Sorry pal...my name is on that ticket, but I promise I'll buy you one 😁👍🏼
Me too 180 mil. 😊
If any lottery winners are handing out mk2 escorts , then , hello 👋 😄
@@thechanneldave haha
@@thechanneldave That'll be me! I just need to sort out the 'winning' part first 🤔
Thanks Johnny, owned a 1980 Mk2 Escort Harrier in my late teens. Now 50 years old and 30 cars later it’s only that car and my MK1 Golf GTI I regret selling.
I agree, both great drivers cars. The rawness is missing from modern cars.
The Harrier was a Ford Limlted Edition rebrand name Manufactures did, to spread the sales market in what was the 1600 Sport. The Linnet was the 1300 Sport.. as a shell/running gear if not elsewise.
I too had a 79 - T 1600 Sport, (Peppermist Green) did need the RS Spoiler to hold the backend from stepping out !!
Otherwise stock, on Michelin ZX's it would go as it was breed anywhere.. all more.
The Howl of induction of even the single Twin Choke Weber... the sound you where going fast. Today EFI and Coil packs.. you need the rev counter that it's running. As for Electric.. hands up.. who has not as yet been almost rundown.. and I'm not deaf, they should make a noise, their on you so fast and silently.. ok before I'm off topic.
Only failings in all the years of joy, the common worn top distributor bush which led to not starting on cold cracking, only if very cold, low battery amps or high speed misfire with excessive play. And rusted rear archs/boot wells.. Yet as a car it's that passion that has me here today.. yes I too regret in parting with it, as for Classic Sport prices 12-13K+..
I actually couldn’t get off the toilet once I saw this. Had to watch from beginning to end - and even rewind some parts!
I can now finally wipe my bum with a big smile on my face and fuzzy feeling in my heart 😍
Enjoyed watching it while expelling a chev
TMI lol
Ditto.... I finished pooing 15 mins ago but I’m still gonna n the throne 😁
Absolutely wonderful, if I had the money I would have a Mk 1 on my driveway, It was my first car and still dream about it. Thanks Johnny.
It wouldn’t be on your drive very long 😟 they need to be hidden
@@hoonaticbloggs5402 yea your right back when I had one they weren't worth much.
It’s a dream come true a Mk1 and Mk2 brand new,love your show who needs Top Gear
At 65k, it’s better value and far more interesting than anything currently available from main dealers.
Almost feel like crying, this has really brought home how much I enjoyed my Mk2 '78 RS2000 back in the 80's
i had a diamond white RS2000 T reg ... i lived in bristol but when i drove it in wales, i know what johny means, strangers would ask to buy it ?
Channels like yours are what makes RUclips and modern media amazing. This would never be possible on broadcast but I sat glued to all of this. Thanks 😊👍
Nip over the boarder to Shropshire & do a feature on Millington now Jonny :-)
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You might want to ask the boarder how she feels about it.
Almost at the second that I wondered what Russell Lord thought about this business, you played his message! I am so glad he chimed in! Very cool video of a very cool reimagining!
The first copy of something we actually want. Goodstuff.
Brucey bonus: it’s not Chinese 👍🏽
I'm not even a car guy but there's something about modern built escorts that gets me more excited than any supercars.You don't have to be going as fast as a missile to have fun and these cars are a prime example of how a driving experience should be.Great video.
Just heavenly. Wonderful stuff Jonny. I now want this car even more than a Litchfield GR.
This is possibly my favourite video ever. If my Mk1 gets stolen, or written off or whatever, I’ll re-shell it with one of MST’s finest Mk1shells.❤️
They are going to need a bigger factory 😍
Hopefully!
Not when u realise they cost 80k
@@MrUnder30seconds Not too much more than if you were to build a genuine MK2 to the same spec
Growing up in rural west Wales, every other farm had a rally car, most were Escorts!
Owned 3 mk1 escorts in my youth, bloody loved them, building up hot motors and racing them with my mates at the Saturday night illegal drags are fantastic memory’s I will never forget.
Jonny Smith; you are a lucky lucky boy. And we're lucky that you got to share this epic car with us. Superb car and another broadcast quality episode. You did look close to tears at a few points, and it's easy to understand why.
Thank you for the kind words Ade. Glad you enjoyed it.
Love the video, takes me back so many years, I used to run a 2.1 litre bda in mk 2 on the road, so much power and so much noise and fun, loved it
I loved that little bit of drifting on those roads. Looked so good. Reminded me of me and my mates in hooning around the gold coast hinterland in the late 80's in escorts, geminis and datsuns.
Who knew what the Volvo S60 was for before Johnny mentioned it?
I did 😁.
I was thinking donor engine
Thats bcoz u r a wheel nut
saw them many of times screaming through the welsh forests used as 00 cars in rally gb, lovely sound from the 5 cylinder to
@@chrisoatley9104 My Brother recently bought one, 43k on the clock but it's a 2.4 5 cylinder diesel.
Still sounds really nice to my ears.
I did see it on its last day of use as car 00 for the WRC in Wales before they replaced it with the Subaru Impreza they now have to do the high speed stage check before the WRC cars come through.
My first car in 1983 was a mark 2, genuine barn find, it had collapsed onto the car, recon engine installed by me and dad, great memories. Cracking film quality👍
Love these old hot hatches from the 1980s. Drove a 1987 Honda CRXSI for 12 years and really enjoyed its performance, simplicity and frugality. A simpler time than today for sure! ☺
Amazing! The only currently in production cars that I'm genuinely excited to see. If I had the money I'd order one today!
4 minutes in and I’m in love with it. Wish I had the funds to buy one 🧐
Never has the thought of my wife’s life insurance entered into my mind until now after watching this 🤔🤣🤣
Hol up
Upgrade her Insurance and go for a Millington.
You could always rent her out
Same 👍
Accidents happen 😉
Lovely piece! I live in the States, and in '78, when making a visit to the local bank, in the lobby, I found what was to become my first new car and forever love, a Ford Fiesta, and my 21st birthday present. It was very much styled, and handled like your Escort! With a 2ltr, 4cyl, 5spd it was a little rocket sled, and I loved the way it handled! It also had the 13" wheels, and literally turned on a dime, with little to no tip, just hugging the road down straight-aways and corners alike! Always wanted to replace it, and after watching your video on the mk2, I think I'm in love again! I just hope I can bring it here to Washington. I'll catch you on Instagram. Kudos man! Thanks!
So lovely to see your interest and joy. You have seen that you have tapped into the core of down to earth car enthusiasts by your viewing numbers. I have no interest in cars that I could never afford and would probably be embarrassed to be seen driving. Thanks
The part I like about this is that the part can be used to keep the originals on the road and away from getting wrecked on a rally stage
That's my view on it these days. If it hasn't already been rallied, then keep those shells for restoring road cars and use the new shells for rallying.
We saw those sneaky drifts in the aerial shots...
That Mk1 is just stunning 😍
I had to come back and watch this again. Love everything about everything.
Gotta love a mk2,what a great company bringing a new spin on a great classic car, perhaps more companies should resurrect other great classics in the same Way, much better than The modern souless cars of today
My parents had multiple RS2000s and Mexico's. I'm in California now, and may well be in the position to buy a GT3 this summer. Watching this brings tears, and makes me think I'd rather have one of these. Thanks Jony.
Forget the Porsche
WOW , This is stunning and I'm wetting my pants right now , Is this kinda identical to what David Brown has done to Original Mini ? Fantastic again Jonny , We need more classics like this before this electric era takes over , AWESOME 👍👍👍👍
Well my list of cars for post lottery win has grown by two! Great film Jonny.
If you didn't put this video production out there we wouldn't pickup these interesting small businesses the likes of MST. This is pure gold had me on the edge of my seat, brilliant. so thank you.
Brilliant to hear, thank you so much Derek. I believe interesting cars and interesting businesses need celebrating more than ever - especially local ones.
@@TheLateBrakeShow Cheers Johnny love your enthusiasm and all you put in to make this so fascinating , with you all the way, top man .
Oh hell YES please, I want one. Mk2 Escort, 1600 crossflow, And I will die happy. Grew up and drove Mk2's and love them to bits.
this channel is exceptional
MK II, fast road mechanical spec. in midnight blue with a luxury touring bitter chocolate interior. Two up, two down Cibies on the front.
I love this. Of course my instinctual reaction was "79 grand?!", just like most other people who are old enough to remember when usable Mk 2s were going for 70 quid. But then, if I did have 79 spare grand kicking around, I'd be hard pressed to think of any car I could buy brand new at that price that I could look at and every time have a massive smile on my face. Awesome video Jonny, you have a lovely way with words and your enthusiasm really shines.
Know how you feel. When I was in my first job there was a Mk1 mexico for sale down the Rd for £300
Brings back memories. You’ve a great job Jonny.That’s made my day...
As the second owner of my mk2 rs 2000 is really nice to see someone is bringing these rare cars back.
Love the 13" wheels. They fit the car much better than 15s would.
Although not badged as a Ford, no one will mistake its identity. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this company having to build bigger premises in the very near future due to demand.
I’m looking for a two door mk2 but even rust ridden ones are selling for way too much and maybe more than this companies new shell what with the cost and time of rebuilding the old shell etc..
hats off .. 👍
Love it, love it, love it. I can’t stop watching this. Christ......I’m 18 years old again.
Just brilliant in every aspect. The perfect argument and sales pitch for bringing back analog. Loved it!
Bought my 3dr Mk1 Escort for £100 back in the mid 80’s, I wasn’t even old enough to drive at the time, my Dad and I visiting the scrappy to buy parts to upgrade wheels, seats etc 😁 Happy memories. There was a guy living close by to me with a flat front RS2000 in signal yellow, a stunning thing, I loved that car.
Mk2 Mexico’s, Mk2 16 Sports, Mk2 Harrier, Mk1 XR2, Mk2 XR2, Mk3 XR3 and Mk3 XR3i, Mk3 RS Turbo, highly tuned Mk1 Escort, Mk3 Capri 3.0S with a Burton engine, Capri 2.8i Special, Mini 1275GT Clubmans, Lotus Sunbeams, Sunbeam Ti all could be seen in any numbers in Sarn Park services on the M4 on any given night.
Happy memories of my life when life was so much less complicated.......................... 🏴🏴🏴
YT: “The Late Brake Show new upload”
Me: Clicks with excitement😁
Cheers Daniel, really kind of you.
@@TheLateBrakeShow it’s my pleasure.
My son just messaged me he said let's get a Bullet Mustang I said nah let's get one of these . I've owned a few Mk 2 Escorts and you feel as one with these cars . Would love to get one sent down under here in Aus
you can buy a brandnew mustang shell as well, build it the way you want it. get one for the boy and you get yourself a new escort?
Best car journalism available today bar none.
That part of Wales is one of my favourite places on the planet. Around Pwllheli its just stunning. Haven't been into Wales since 2019 due to lockdown, miss the place loads even though I can see the North Wales coastline from my towns beach.
I raced, hill climbed and rallied a MK1 escort Mexico 1600 with 4 speed close ratio box back in 1976 - 79 ish here in NZ. I built it from a stock road car and added all the go fast goodies and Billstein front struts and outboard mounted rear shock turrets with Billstein shock absorbers. It was putting out about 100 BHP at the rear wheels on a Dyno out of the pushrod 1600 Ford engine. All the work I did myself apart from having the engine parts balanced. Not much HP by today’s standards but was very competitive in the 1301 - 1600cc class I raced in. Had a few minor crashes and rolled it once in a Forest rally. An amazing amount of fun at the time. I remember when the MK11 was first released in NZ in 1975 and one of the top NZ rally drivers sponsored by Ford Motocraft gave it a maiden victory in the NZ international rally. What a marketing coo for Ford NZ at the time. The Cosworth Ford BDA engine has an amazing sound to it when cranked at 9000 revs.
I look at the current WRC cars and think, wouldn’t it be amazing to drive one of them having all that traction to propel you out of corners instead of wheel spin in the old rear drive cars. Yes amazing there is still the demand for the old escorts. 😀😀😀
If you compare those cars to fully prepped race cars, which they nearly are they are quite cheap.
The car that taught most of us how to drive a car correctly!
Just a shame that the fun police won't appreciate our sideways skillset at every junction and roundabout like they did back in the 80's
And the sound of a 2.0 pinto with a twin choke weber at full tits is unrivalled.
Bloody hell i'd buy one of these in a heartbeat.
Ah mate, I'm with you. Just need a lottery win so I can buy this and an Alphaholics gta-r
been wondering why no-one has done this before . Thanks really enjoyed watching this
I’m a biker I don’t watch car reviews. I’m so pleased I watched this video. The Mk 1 red beautiful, I had one like that when I was a spotty youth. I sold it and bought a fiat strada what was I thinking. I like your presenting
Style and beautiful scenery. Thank you very much. Stuart
That car represents everything we petrol heads LOVE about cars and driving. What an utterly wonderful, loveable concept. Id have this over any Lambo or anything modern. This has all the new things you need yet you are still driving something totally true to the period....period. What a fabulous video Jonny! This is what loving cars is all about. Love the S60 - incredibly rare 😍
The ironic thing is that car will probably get more attention than any supercar and is way more fun. It even sounds like it’s from the 70s despite it’s modern underpinnings.
“I’m going to have to stop looking at the configurator now” 😆
Something tells me those Fella's are going to very busy. I wonder if they'll produce a Van 'Shell at some point?
Honestly, this is one of the best things I've ever seen.
If only I had 70-odd-grand!
My uncle bought an MKII that the owner had put stripes and GHIA labels on. The battery was in the boot. but it was stunning, even in imitation. He survived an, lets say, unlikely, (broke his neck) injury last year. Arms and legs still work, I'd give a lot to see the legend drive an MKII again.
Can we have a follow up on the process he went through from the original to get pressings? That would be interesting too.