MST’s latest Ford Escort restomod is a £89k homage to the Mk1 ‘Mexico’

Got your eyes on a Mk1 Ford Escort ‘Mexico’ but unable to source just the right one? MST might have the solution for you with its new ‘Mk1 Sports’, based on the rallying hero but with a modern twist to the engineering.

Armed with a rorty 180bhp twin-cam four-pot, the Sports gets individual throttle bodies, a lightweight flywheel and a performance manifold and exhaust. Expect it to sound - and go - like the clappers.

There’s a five-speed H-pattern close ratio manual for that properly old-school feel, plus adjustable suspension and dampers, and a limited slip differential wedged in amongst all this goodness.

MST’s hand-built body is almost identical to an original Mexico, with a choice of six colour combinations and the iconic side and roof stripes. You’ll also have the option to add extra spotlamps, because who doesn’t want extra spotlamps on their road-legal rally car?

As expected, the cabin will be fairly minimal. Aside from an Alpine infotainment system, there are sports seats, a three-spoke suede steering wheel, bits of scaffolding out back and… not much else.

You’re looking at a base price of £89,400 for the Mk1 Sports, which is roughly twice what an original, used Mexico ought to set you back at current rates. Reckon it’s worth the extra spend?