A tribute to one of rallying’s most evocative eras, this Ford Escort Mk1 Twin Cam is a faithful replica inspired by the cars driven by Hannu Mikkola with Jim Porter alongside him during the early works Ford years.
Today, the car continues to live where it belongs: on rally stages. In the hands of J. Brenha and R. Caldeira, this Escort competes in selected historic rallies across Europe, carrying forward the spirit of a period when simplicity, balance and bravery defined the sport.
Under the bonnet sits a 1.6-litre Lotus-Ford Twin Cam engine, one of the defining mechanical features of the early Escort rally cars. With its twin overhead cam cylinder head, free-revving character and sharp throttle response, the engine gives the car a very different personality from the later BDA-powered Escorts. It is lighter, more mechanical, more direct — a machine built around momentum, precision and driver commitment.
Power is sent to the rear wheels, giving the Escort its unmistakable attitude: nose pointed in, rear axle alive, the whole car dancing between grip and oversteer. The lightweight Mk1 shell, wide arches, period-correct rally preparation and competition suspension all contribute to a car that feels raw, agile and beautifully honest.
More than just a replica, this Escort is a moving homage to the Mikkola/Porter era — a reminder of the days when rally cars were compact, loud, analogue and unforgiving. Every detail, from the Lotus Twin Cam engine note to the stance of the car on gravel or tarmac, helps preserve the atmosphere of historic rallying at its purest.
Private collector
Photographer & retoucher - Tiago Silva
