Motorsport Tools Blog

Progress has been a little slow recently due to the coronavirus but we are now pushing ahead to get the new Mk2 Escort completed this summer and get the car booked if for the IVA test, that will allow us to register the Mk2 Escort as a brand new 2020 road car.

The new 2.5L Ford Duratec is now in position with a new designed billet alloy machined sump. Other newly developed parts for the Mk2 includes a new Escort electronic power steering unit, Duratec to Mazda 6 speed adapter plate to allow the gearbox and engine to sit upright and gear lever position adapter kit that moves the gear lever further back.

Other features of this new Mk2 includes latest power distribution modules that controls the cars electrical system, doing away with fuses and relays. Running the engine we have a Life Racing ECU that has many features such as traction control, launch control, various map settings, data logging etc.

Here we have the latest developments for the all new Escort Mk1, including FIA spec seat rails, mountings for the alloy fuel tank, dry sump tank, fuel pumps etc. All critical parts are dry fitted during the fabrication stage so that once the car is painted, all parts should bolt straight on - (no drilling of holes required) Further modifications include rear firewall, gearbox tunnel and various strengthening brackets and gussets.

Due to high level of requests, we now have a prototype Mk1 Escort bodyshell available for viewing at Motorsport-Tools. Its not yet a complete bodyshell, it requires outer quarter panels and roof to complete, we are just waiting on these from the Magnum factory.
Pre-orders being taken now with a limited number of shells available this year, on a ‘first come first served’ basis, (Please contact us for more details)

The New Mk1 is now taking shape with a dry install of the BDG engine and gearbox, including ancillaries: radiator, exhaust manifold, oil cooler, dry sump etc. Fully built from the bottom up on purpose built jigs.
Bodyshells and complete cars will be available as a Type-49 or full works spec rally cars
Pre-orders taken now with limited availability.
Contact us for more details

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We are working hard behind the scenes to bring back the old classic, the all New 2020 Mk1 will be available again early 2020. From bodyshells to complete high spec road registered cars, will be available with various packages that include:

Duratec / BDG / Millington Diamond engines
6 speed H pattern / Sequential gearboxes
6 linked fully floating Atlas axle
AP Racing Brakes
Bilstein / Reiger suspension
State of the art Life Racing ECU
Traction control
Power steering
13" or 15" wheels
Rally or Road trim
Mexico or bubble arched with weld in rollcage
(Contact us for more details)

50 years later and its happening again, all new 2020 Mk1 Escorts will be available soon! We are working hard on the assembly jigs and with Magnum Car Panels on the pressed panels required to build the complete Mk1 Escort.
Hand built in the UK using automotive grade steel that meets or exceeds original specifications.
Will be available as bare bodyshell or as complete road going cars, Road or Rally trim. Please contact us for more information

The jigs for the new Escort mk1 bodyshells have now been done and assembly of the first mk1 bodyshell has started. Working with Magnum Car Panels, supplying all new manufactured panels for the build, we should see the first bodyshell completed next month.
We are just waiting for the front A pillar section and the roof gutter to complete the build assembly.
The plan is to build and offer these shells in various stages, including a base shell, type-49 and full race/rally spec with weld in cages, bubble arches, 5 linked etc.
We will also be building the Mk1 Escorts as complete cars either rally spec or fast road on new reg plates.
The first complete car will be built this year, we have yet to decide on the engine, could be Duratec, BDG or even Millington...

New Escort Mk1 bodyshells coming soon from Motorsport-Tools. We now have all the panels required to build a complete new Mk1 shell and are currently developing jigs to assemble the shells in various specification; standard, type-49 and Group-4. Un-arched or bubble arched.

The first shell should be available early 2020 and we are taking pre-orders on a first come first served basis. We will also have a limited supply of kits available.

Please contact us for more info

We had a totally amazing day yesterday on the first ever closed road rally in Wales, was great to be part of the event which was very well run from start to finish, a big well done to the organizing team!

Unfortunately we had to retire after stage 6 with electrical problems, but we really enjoyed the stages, cant wait for next year.

Congratulations to Osian on the win!
Thanks to Dorian for co-driving.
Thanks to George, Rhys & Russ for service.
And thanks to the organizers and all the marshal's for making it happen.

(Thanks to Tudor Evans for photos)

Quick update on the New Escort Mk2 project, in association with our partners Great British Sports Cars.

Some behind the scenes R&D going on with various aspects of the build, including power distribution electrical system and power steering assembly that needs a collapsible element for IVA.

Most parts are now ready for dry fitting including the new Duratec 2.5L engine and matching 6-speed gearbox.

More updates and details coming over the next few weeks.