Ford Escort MK1. Reborn in Dubai

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We’re pretty much used to seeing modified cars in Dubai now – not that we’re fed up with them, by any means, but there’s plenty of appetite for tweaking the latest thing on the market to one’s personal tastes. So it’s great to see something a bit different, like this awesome 1973 Ford Escort MK1. What started off as an 1100 Popular in the UK is now well on its way to becoming a track weapon, powered by a modern 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine taken from a Dubai Taxi Mondeo, and tuned up to around 280bhp.
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Owner Neil Greer has spent three years building the machine in his garage after importing the shell from the UK, although as with so many classic projects, he only expected it to take him six months. The power steering unit above, by the way, is taken from a Vauxhall Corsa. Despite the squillions of man hours Neil has spent putting the Escort together, it’s not been driven yet. Still on the to-do list is full engine and throttle mapping. Our pics were taken during set up work at MSW in Dubai. A full race-spec fuel tank sits in the boot – Neil plans to spend a year sorting out any teething issues with the car, and then enter it into a few races in the UAE Touring Car Championship.
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VIN plate shows the original “tawny” colour. That’s 1970s brown to you and me.
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Neil customised the front suspension to create some coilovers, and replaced the original leaf springs with coilovers at the back too.
The lights and bodyshell are virtually the only original parts left on Neil’s creation – all the rest is new.
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The bespoke roll cage runs virtually the whole length of the car and considerably stiffens the Escort structure, which was not previously known for its rigidity. The engine has been fettled with throttle bodies, dry sump and various other goodies to put out around 280bhp at the crank.
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Original Spec:
1973 Ford Escort MK1 1100L
1100 Ford Kent engine, 40bhp
Drum Brakes
McPherson Struts on front and Leaf springs on rear axle
Now:
1973 Ford Escort MK1
Ford Duratec 2.0 engine, target 280bhp at crank
12.4:1 compression ratio, full race cams, Arrow conrods, CNC ported head, dry sump
2007 Mazda MX5 6-speed gearbox, lightweight flywheel and clutch
Jenvey 48mm independent throttle bodies, Emerald K6 ECU
Atlas axle with Quaife ATB
Front Brembo Racing calipers on 295mm Brembo vented discs, rear discs and calipers
15×8 Compomotive wheels
Coil over suspension on front with compression struts and adjustable TRAs
Turrets and coilover suspension rear, four-link rear axle location along with Watts link
Full weld in cage, plumbed in fire extinguisher.

Categories: Lifestyle

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  1. Hey bro. Sick lookin escort man it looks amazing we currently doing a two door and a four door. Can you please tell me the paint code you used. Please and thank you

  2. Awesome Stuff.Glad to see the Old FORDS get restored and modified in this way…….Awesome job,,,

  3. Love the pictures Phil, makes my efforts at paintwork seem so much better!

    Harris what can I say, sometimes the rewards are worth the risks. To go out and race against the modern stuff in a 60’s designed car just seems too good an opportunity, it would be a shame not to give it a go.

  4. Pingback: FAST FORD À DUBAI | the Blenheim Gang : essais et culture automobile, youngtimers, formule 1 et musique pop

  5. Gorgeous car. Please Neil, for the love of God, do not enter this car in the UAE Touring Car Championship, all right minded petrolheads are begging you. It will end up as filling in a Honda sandwich.