Ford Escort Alan Mann 68 Edition
Boreham Motorworks unveils the Ford Escort Alan Mann 68 Edition, a toolroom continuation of the Alan Mann Racing Ford Escort Mk1 that dominated the British Saloon Car Championship. Engineered to the original winning specifications, this ultra-exclusive continuation car embodies the trailblazing engineering, relentless performance, and motorsport pedigree that defined Alan Mann Racing’s golden era.
We obsessively recreated every detail to modern tolerances while honouring the bespoke race car that differed dramatically from the period Escort Mk1 road car. Lightweight construction, expansive bubble arches and the distinctive suspension geometry combine to deliver the dynamic prowess that kept the original Escort ahead of the pack.
The Ford Escort Alan Mann 68 Edition debuts our Ultra Series, the pinnacle of historical accuracy at Boreham Motorworks. While our Collector Series, including the Ford Escort Mk1 RS and RS200, reimagines icons for the road, and our Race Series refines them for the track, the Ultra Series offers blueprint-precise recreations ready for FIA competition. We will build only twenty-four Alan Mann 68 Editions, and each owner receives full factory support, race-licence training if required, and invitations to exclusive UK and international events.
The 68 Edition emerged from the intensive development of our road-going Escort Mk1 RS, announced in December 2024. Recognising a unique opportunity, we leveraged the advanced engineering already underway to launch a continuation race car ahead of its road-legal sibling, which enters final testing before its public debut this summer.
Although the Ford Escort Mk1 RS and the Alan Mann 68 Edition share body panels and iconic arches, the similarities end there. The Mk1 RS offers modern road performance blended with heritage styling, whereas the Alan Mann 68 Edition delivers an uncompromising race experience. Every component, from its lightweight shell to its race-spec drivetrain and suspension, mirrors the 1968 machine, transporting drivers straight back to the golden era of British saloon racing.
At the DRVN Advanced Engineering Centre in Coventry, the engineers dismantled and laser-scanned the original Alan Mann Racing Escort Mk1, registration XOO 349F, chassis BB48HR39279, to create an exact CAD model. Frank Gardner steered that very car to championship glory, and its data underpins every continuation model we build.
DRVN manage manufacturing and assembly entirely in-house. DRVN Coventry leads CAD and product development, DRVN Newton Aycliffe crafts and paints the bodies, and Alan Mann Racing HQ in Chobham carries out final assembly and dynamic set-up, just a few miles from the original 1960s workshop. State-of-the-art tooling guarantees precision, yet our artisans employ the hand-built techniques that made the first Group 5 Escorts legendary.
A 205 PS 1.8-litre Twin Cam engine, developed to FIA historic regulations, powers the 68 Edition through a four-speed bullet gearbox. With a dry weight of 795 kg, the car achieves an exceptional power-to-weight ratio for razor-sharp response and thrilling acceleration.
Len Bailey’s ingenious suspension design returns, revived by original technician Jim Rose, who once again fabricates the unique sliding-joint MacPherson strut, compression struts and custom mounts. KONI two-way adjustable dampers, a rigid rear axle with Watts linkage and finely tunable rose-jointed arms provide precise handling and exceptional grip through high-speed corners.
Solid discs with period-correct callipers supply formidable stopping power. At the same time, flow-formed aluminium wheels echo the original Electron magnesium style, wearing 13-inch racing tyres that fill the bespoke bubble arches and complete the unmistakable red-and-gold Alan Mann Racing livery.
Customers may choose between the Period Correct specification, built precisely to FIA Group 5 regulations, or the Modern Race specification, which includes an FIA Vehicle Passport, a full roll cage, racing seats, harnesses, and an integrated fire system. Either way, each Ford Escort Alan Mann 68 Edition is equipped with an official continuation chassis number. It offers collectors and historic racers a rare chance to own and compete in one of touring-car history’s most celebrated machines.
Henry Mann observes, “My father always believed that the key to success in motorsport was an unrelenting pursuit of precision engineering, innovation and the constant obsession with lightweight solutions. The Alan Mann 68 Edition is a testament to that philosophy, capturing the spirit of the original in every detail.”
DRVN Group CEO Iain Muir adds, “Reviving the Ford Escort Alan Mann 68 Edition is more than just bringing back a car; it’s about celebrating a legacy of innovation and motorsport excellence that continues to inspire generations. This project exemplifies Boreham Motorworks’ commitment to craftsmanship and authenticity, ensuring the spirit of this legendary race car lives on both in competition and in the hearts of enthusiasts.”
