Whats the deal with Escorts??
Discussion
Can somebody explain to me wtf it is about the Mk1 and 2 Escorts that makes them worth THAT much these days?
From what I can see, its only the UK that seems to have raised prices, and I beleive its got jack-s
t to do with the dynamics of the cars. My view is that they are purely a fad of the older generation who wanted one as a kid, and until now with Ebay and such, they now have the chance. Much like the muscle-car boom in the US.
From what I have gleaned, they were'nt that impressive in the day, and regularly out gunned by Porsches, Fiats and BMW's on the international scene.. it was only with HEAVY chassis mods to turn a leaf-sprung, live rear axle granny shed into something competitive that anything happened.. ergo a rally prepped escort is no way related to run of the mill street versions.
I am seriously wanting one (a bubble arched Mk1 with full grp4 rally prep) but am finding UK prices artificially high compared with the continent.
Somebody convince me why they are so good?
Why is a live axled, leaf sprung car better than a BMW 2002 with IRS?
From what I can see, its only the UK that seems to have raised prices, and I beleive its got jack-s
t to do with the dynamics of the cars. My view is that they are purely a fad of the older generation who wanted one as a kid, and until now with Ebay and such, they now have the chance. Much like the muscle-car boom in the US. From what I have gleaned, they were'nt that impressive in the day, and regularly out gunned by Porsches, Fiats and BMW's on the international scene.. it was only with HEAVY chassis mods to turn a leaf-sprung, live rear axle granny shed into something competitive that anything happened.. ergo a rally prepped escort is no way related to run of the mill street versions.
I am seriously wanting one (a bubble arched Mk1 with full grp4 rally prep) but am finding UK prices artificially high compared with the continent.
Somebody convince me why they are so good?
Why is a live axled, leaf sprung car better than a BMW 2002 with IRS?
LRdriver II said:
and I beleive its got jack-st to do with the dynamics of the cars. My view is that they are purely a fad of the older generation who wanted one as a kid, and until now with Ebay and such, they now have the chance.
Think you might have hit the nail on the head....I fancy and old 80's fast Ford, (nearly got a Scirroco the other day) which will have a lot to do with my age. Guess its a lot of dreaming about the good old days fast cars no stress no hassle and a 17 year old girlfirend t to do with the dynamics of the cars. My view is that they are purely a fad of the older generation who wanted one as a kid, and until now with Ebay and such, they now have the chance. 
Wouldn't have anything to do with the explosion of interest in Historic Rallying would it?, plus the fact that without an Escort in Historic stage rallying you simply won't win. It's getting that way on certain historic road events too, not to mention the fact a well sorted one is still competitive on a modern road rally.
I'm sure they make a good retro road car when tweeked too, but it's the rallying that's pushing the prices up.
I'm sure they make a good retro road car when tweeked too, but it's the rallying that's pushing the prices up.
LRdriver II said:
Can somebody explain to me wtf it is about the Mk1 and 2 Escorts that makes them worth THAT much these days?
From what I can see, its only the UK that seems to have raised prices, and I beleive its got jack-st to do with the dynamics of the cars. My view is that they are purely a fad of the older generation who wanted one as a kid, and until now with Ebay and such, they now have the chance.
Nothing to do with it. The prices went stratospheric, when the Escorts were allowed to compete in Historic Rallying, that's where the money is, and why prices of good shelled cars went through the roof. Prior to that they were affordable clsssics.From what I can see, its only the UK that seems to have raised prices, and I beleive its got jack-s
t to do with the dynamics of the cars. My view is that they are purely a fad of the older generation who wanted one as a kid, and until now with Ebay and such, they now have the chance. They are the greatest rally car of all time, after all.
LRdriver II said:
From what I have gleaned, they were'nt that impressive in the day
Haven't gleaned much then....try again.LRdriver II said:
Why is a live axled, leaf sprung car better than a BMW 2002 with IRS?
Balance, chuckability and a BDA......nothing else compares. Once bitten forever smitten, I just wish I'd never got rid of mine 20 years ago 
LRdriver II said:
8<---------------------------------------------------
From what I can see, its only the UK that seems to have raised prices, and I beleive its got jack-s
t to do with the dynamics of the cars. My view is that they are purely a fad of the older generation who wanted one as a kid, and until now with Ebay and such, they now have the chance. Much like the muscle-car boom in the US. 8<---------------------------------------------------
It's not just the headline rallies like the RAC either. If you know anything about rallying in the UK, you will realise that from about 1970 through to the mid eighties the Escort was the default option for ALL rallying from a club 12 car to the RAC.
Even now if you look on the entry list for the top 'modern' road rallies you will see they are still one of the most frequantly seen cars, and they are still winning too.
Historic stage rallying in the UK is totaly dominated by Escorts and the age catogories for all UK historic rallying, road and stage, is based around the date the first Escort was built, when the Mk2 was introduced, and when they ruined them with the Mk3.
Greatest rally car of all time?, in the UK without question. on the continent maybe not.
Even now if you look on the entry list for the top 'modern' road rallies you will see they are still one of the most frequantly seen cars, and they are still winning too.
Historic stage rallying in the UK is totaly dominated by Escorts and the age catogories for all UK historic rallying, road and stage, is based around the date the first Escort was built, when the Mk2 was introduced, and when they ruined them with the Mk3.
Greatest rally car of all time?, in the UK without question. on the continent maybe not.
davepoth said:
But that has a lot to do with continental rally car choices. Over in Europe the weapon of choice is a 911, but that has a lot to do with longer stages I think.
Not longer stages, but a lot of continental rallies are all tarmac events, not loose surface, and that's where the Escort lost out to the 911, Stratos and the like, but in the forests of the UK, Scandanavia, as well as the dirt tracks of Greece and other similar parts of the world, the Escort was the weapon of choice.Crafty_ said:
Cant you buy new shells nowadays ?
Seem to remember seeing mk2 repro shells on a stall at a castle combe rally day a few years ago..
Not that I am aware of but there are some GRP Mk1 shells available and a chinese company is looking a reproducing steel mk1 shells. Only a matter of time for the mk2. All the panels are available from a number of sources however.Seem to remember seeing mk2 repro shells on a stall at a castle combe rally day a few years ago..
Mk 1 and 2 Escorts, now these are a real passion of mine.
I look almost every bloody week at the classifieds for road and rally versions, dreaming about having another one day. I have owned 3 x Mk 1’s, and 2 x Mk 2.
Last time I drove one was in 1996!
I agree, the prices are a bit silly [ not if you own one ], BUT, to answer your question, go and drive a properly sorted one, and then your understand the hype.
If I ever buy another, it would not be a road car, it would have to be a Fully blown Rally version, having been fortunate to own one once, nothing else will do.
I would say that a nice Mk 1 or 2 RS 2000/Mexico road car will feel rather prehistoric in comparison to modern cars, but here is the thing, you will have a huge amount of fun driving it, at not silly speeds either.
The “standard” Escorts of there era were dull, its only the RS’s that were fun.
Drive a full Gp 4 rally BDA version at speed, and you can quadruple the fun element, horrible as a road car though.
At a sensible price they are an investment as well.
Oh and yes, it IS the greatest rally car ever
I look almost every bloody week at the classifieds for road and rally versions, dreaming about having another one day. I have owned 3 x Mk 1’s, and 2 x Mk 2.
Last time I drove one was in 1996!
I agree, the prices are a bit silly [ not if you own one ], BUT, to answer your question, go and drive a properly sorted one, and then your understand the hype.
If I ever buy another, it would not be a road car, it would have to be a Fully blown Rally version, having been fortunate to own one once, nothing else will do.
I would say that a nice Mk 1 or 2 RS 2000/Mexico road car will feel rather prehistoric in comparison to modern cars, but here is the thing, you will have a huge amount of fun driving it, at not silly speeds either.
The “standard” Escorts of there era were dull, its only the RS’s that were fun.
Drive a full Gp 4 rally BDA version at speed, and you can quadruple the fun element, horrible as a road car though.
At a sensible price they are an investment as well.
Oh and yes, it IS the greatest rally car ever
LRdriver II said:
Can somebody explain to me wtf it is about the Mk1 and 2 Escorts that makes them worth THAT much these days?
From what I can see, its only the UK that seems to have raised prices, and I beleive its got jack-st to do with the dynamics of the cars. My view is that they are purely a fad of the older generation who wanted one as a kid, and until now with Ebay and such, they now have the chance. Much like the muscle-car boom in the US.
From what I have gleaned, they were'nt that impressive in the day, and regularly out gunned by Porsches, Fiats and BMW's on the international scene.. it was only with HEAVY chassis mods to turn a leaf-sprung, live rear axle granny shed into something competitive that anything happened.. ergo a rally prepped escort is no way related to run of the mill street versions.
I am seriously wanting one (a bubble arched Mk1 with full grp4 rally prep) but am finding UK prices artificially high compared with the continent.
Somebody convince me why they are so good?
Why is a live axled, leaf sprung car better than a BMW 2002 with IRS?
if you dont get it perhaps you should go and buy the beemer From what I can see, its only the UK that seems to have raised prices, and I beleive its got jack-s
t to do with the dynamics of the cars. My view is that they are purely a fad of the older generation who wanted one as a kid, and until now with Ebay and such, they now have the chance. Much like the muscle-car boom in the US. From what I have gleaned, they were'nt that impressive in the day, and regularly out gunned by Porsches, Fiats and BMW's on the international scene.. it was only with HEAVY chassis mods to turn a leaf-sprung, live rear axle granny shed into something competitive that anything happened.. ergo a rally prepped escort is no way related to run of the mill street versions.
I am seriously wanting one (a bubble arched Mk1 with full grp4 rally prep) but am finding UK prices artificially high compared with the continent.
Somebody convince me why they are so good?
Why is a live axled, leaf sprung car better than a BMW 2002 with IRS?
i know someone whos got a factory steel bubble arched mk1 rs2000
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