FORD have given the green light to revive an iconic 1960s racer – but the incredibly rare set of wheels is going fast.
A brand-new replica of the classic 60s-spec Group 5 Ford Escort is set to be built – giving gearheads the thrill of the legendary Alan Mann 68 Edition.
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Boreham Motorworks are the brains behind the project, producing them based on the iconic Escorts raced by Alan Mann’s team in the late 1960s in the UK.
The team of engineers is already getting to work on a continuation of the Mk1 Ford Escort RS road car with modern updates – but the Escort racer is reportedly set to stay true to its vintage roots.
Henry Mann, son of Alan Mann, led the creation of this tribute to his father’s legacy.
His vision does have a few subtle differences from the famous racer – with modern safety features added while maintaining its period-correct essence.
Tire sizes are also slightly adjusted for modern regulations.
The car includes a roll cage, fire extinguisher, kill switch, and bucket seats, along with a hand-painted exterior – mirroring the one used by the original team.
Priced at a cool $380,000 for the basic vehicle, just 24 examples are planned to be built – with buyers given the choice of custom colors.
But it’s not for casual fans, as the hot classic features no power steering, traction control, ABS, or brake booster.
What’s more, the suspension closely mirrors the original design, meaning it’s race-ready with an FIA technical passport.
According to PistonHeads, the car keeps things as authentic as possible with 60s-grade oil, and the solid brake discs retain their original diameters.
The 1.8-liter twin-cam engine, paired with Weber carburetors, produces 202bhp.
Unlike many classic cars and racers, the Escort is surprisingly spacious, fitting taller drivers comfortably.
However, its control requires serious physical effort, from the heavy brakes and clutch to the gearshift and self-centering steering.
Along with the sale of the car, Boreham Motorworks plans to host events and offer race license training for buyers – with an aim to fill grids with Alan Mann 68 Editions.
Better yet, the company has ambitious plans, securing a 10-year deal with Ford to produce officially sanctioned continuation models.
The RS200 is next, with five additional models in the pipeline that, legally speaking, are all new, carrying Ford badges, chassis numbers, and VINs.
Five steps for restoring a car
Restoring a car can be a massive undertaking. Here’s a simpler way to think about the process as a whole:
- Plan
- This includes setting a budget, preparing a work area, researching parts, and establishing a timeline to get the work done.
- Strip the vehicle
- This involves disassembling the vehicle and assessing the condition of the parts being removed.
- Bodywork
- This means stripping the paint and repairing any rust and dents, followed by repainting.
- Engine restoration
- This involves restoring a car’s power – including engine repairs.
- Rebuild
- After reassembling and detailing the car, all that’s left is to take it for a test drive.
Source: WeatherTech