Ford Escort

The “Ford Escort RS2500 Drivers Edition” by Viking Motorsport LTD

Viking Motorsport LTD, usually known for building excellent competition versions of the Escort Mk 1/Mk2, has from October 2020 to April 2022 built quite the special MK2 Escort Resto-mod build for a road legal car. The client and longtime customer of Viking Motorsport commissioned the full resto-mod build with great confidence as the Viking Motorsport cars previously had shown their potential.

Gathering information, between June and October 2020 the client and Viking Motorsport spent a lot of time discussing technical specifications, including correspondence and meetings with the Norway version of the DVLA, to make sure the car was optimized while built within regulations for road use.

This was to be a no expense spared build with only the highest quality materials and equipment fitted. Following completion of works in Wales and the car’s return to Norway, two of the largest car-shows in Norway (Oslo Motorshow and Autopia) exhibited and highlighted the car and its story.  A comprehensive in-depth story was also published in BIL, Norway’s top car magazine.

While developing the car, the client had a specific set of driving preferences as a guide. The most important was to build an ultimate drivers’ car for tight and twisty mountain roads. Several suspension mods was evaluated, such as independent rear suspension, however the knowhow of Viking Motorsport made the client chose the traditional but highly proven Atlas FF axle.

The car is still in “new” condition, with a milage of only 430 km since completion.

Specification and brief history

-         Visually referencing the street version of the MK2 RS1800, so no wing extensions or roll-cage

-         Strong focus on bodyshell strength, low weight, and correct weight distribution

-         Long suspension travel

-         750 hours professional bodyshell preparation, full GR.4 specification except roll-cage and wing extensions

-         Duratec 2,5 16V dry-sump crate engine, full specification built by Sherwood Engines, dyno tested and adjusted to optimal driver performance, dyno sheets and further information available on request

-         Simpson Race exhaust, complete custom-built stainless system, fabricated at Simpson to purpose fit while the car was at their factory.

-          6 speed syncro gearbox from Mazda MX5, fitted with short-shift, custom hydraulic clutch

-         Long box 4 links and Watts link, all reinforced, together with a full floating Atlas axle and raised uprights.

-         FF Atlas built by Viking Motorsport, ZF diff with LSD, 4.6 ratio, with toe-in kit

-         Front modular suspension by RIX, modified track, and custom made Proflex shock absorbers front and rear

-         Brake discs and calipers from AP Racing, 305mm front and 295mm rear

-         Custom wiring loom, Speedhut instrumentation integrated in dashboard.

-         Revised seating position 23 cm to the rear of the car.

-         Floor mounted Tilton 3-pump pedal-box

-         Fuel-tank with pump and filters built inside the tank to reduce fumes.

-         Carbon bonnet, boot, bumpers, door-cards and various interior panels

-         Heated front screen, Lexan windows elsewhere

-         15” x 7” Minilite wheels

-         Electrical power steering, detachable steering wheel.

-         Car mechanically built, finished and tested by Viking Motorsport, noise insulation and Alcantara interior done in Norway

-         All modifications approved and described in the registration documents