For many car enthusiasts, building a project car is a dream. For some, it becomes a lifelong passion. For this dedicated builder, what started as a bare shell in a garage in 2005 turned into a fully built, race-ready classic that reflects years of patience, skill, and dedication.
This is the story of a Ford Escort MK1 2-door, built bolt by bolt by a passionate enthusiast who has now become a pensioner, but whose love for classic performance cars continues stronger than ever.
The Beginning of the Build
The project started in 2005 with the purchase of a bare Ford Escort MK1 2-door shell. At the time, it was simply an empty body — a blank canvas waiting to be transformed.
Working from his own garage, the builder spent the next seven years slowly bringing the Escort back to life. Unlike many projects that rely heavily on workshops and outsourced work, this car was largely built by his own hands.
Every bolt, nut, washer, and modification on the car was personally installed or completed by him, with the only exceptions being specialized engineering work that required professional machinery.
This level of personal involvement gives the car something many builds lack — a true personal connection between builder and machine.
Built to Drive — Not Just to Display
This Escort was never intended to sit under lights at a concourse show. Instead, it was built for what these cars were always meant to do:
Drive hard. Race hard. Enjoy every moment behind the wheel.
While the car maintains road legality, its true purpose is performance. It is a street-legal race car, designed to deliver excitement both on the road and at motorsport events.
Powerplant: The 2.3L Pinto Engine
At the heart of the Escort sits a 2.3 litre Ford Pinto engine, a legendary platform in the classic Ford performance world.
The engine features:
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Big valve cylinder head
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Porting work completed by the builder himself
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Carefully assembled performance components
The result is an impressive output for a naturally aspirated Pinto:
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122 kW of power
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214 Nm of torque
Combined with the lightweight Escort chassis, this setup delivers strong acceleration and thrilling performance.
On the drag strip, the car has recorded a 14.8 second quarter mile, a remarkable achievement for a home-built classic running a naturally aspirated Pinto.
Drivetrain and Performance Setup
To handle the power and provide reliable performance, the Escort features a strong drivetrain combination:
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5-speed gearbox
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3.3 limited-slip differential
This setup allows the car to deliver both strong acceleration and balanced power delivery, making it suitable for both street driving and competitive motorsport.
Suspension Designed for Performance
Handling and traction were key priorities during the build, and the suspension setup reflects this.
Front Suspension
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Rose-jointed components for improved precision
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Compression struts for enhanced stability and control
Rear Suspension
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Leaf spring setup
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CalTrac-style drag link suspension system
This combination improves rear traction under acceleration, making the car particularly effective in straight-line performance and hill climb events.
Wheels and Stance
Completing the classic motorsport look are 16-inch Superlite wheels, a popular choice among Escort enthusiasts.
The setup includes:
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7J wheels at the front
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8J wheels at the rear
This staggered arrangement provides a strong stance while maximizing rear traction, perfectly complementing the car's performance-focused setup.
Proven Performance
The Escort has already proven itself in competition.
At the Krugersdorp Hill Climb, the car achieved an impressive result:
Second place in class — finishing just behind a Porsche.
For a garage-built classic Escort, competing against modern high-performance machinery, this result speaks volumes about the quality of the build and the driver's dedication.
A Builder’s Pride
While the car may not be a concourse restoration, that was never the goal.
This Escort represents something far more meaningful:
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A project built entirely in a home garage
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A machine shaped by years of dedication
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A car built to race, drive, and enjoy
Every component tells a story of patience, problem-solving, and passion.
Five Builds and Counting
This Escort is the first of five builds completed by the builder over the years — proof that once the project car bug bites, it never truly lets go.
Even now, the journey continues.
The current project is another exciting Ford classic:
A Ford Escort MK1 widebody, powered by a 2.3 litre turbocharged Pinto engine.
If the first build is anything to go by, this upcoming project promises to be something truly special.
Passion That Never Retires
Becoming a pensioner may mark retirement for many people, but for true car enthusiasts, the passion never slows down.
From a bare shell in 2005 to a race-proven Escort MK1, this project stands as a reminder that with enough dedication, patience, and love for cars, incredible things can be built right at home.
And with another Escort already in progress, one thing is certain:
The story is far from over.
