1976 Ford Escort Mk2 Harris Performance

Originally supplied as a 1976 Escort Mk2 1300L two-door saloon, this exceptionally well-known car was initially constructed by Frank Mitchel for fast road, drag racing and circuit use, earning a strong reputation within modified Ford circles. Fully stripped and rebuilt to a highly detailed specification, the car was comprehensively strengthened and fitted with wide 15-inch arches together with a full welded-in roll cage, originally running a high-output Pinto engine before evolving into its current and considerably more serious Cosworth-powered form.

At the centre of the build is a remarkable engine package developed by the well respected, Harris Performance Engines. Based around a Smith and Jones alloy block, the 2.5-litre YB Cosworth engine features forged pistons, forged billet stroker crankshaft, forged H-section connecting rods, Mahle bearings, ARP fasteners and a new full-race big-valve cylinder head which has been ported and polished. Further specification highlights include a full-race camshaft arrangement with solid lifters and double valve springs, Jenvey 58mm throttle bodies, Omex 600 engine management and a comprehensive dry-sump system. Exhaust gases exit through a Simpson 4-2-1 manifold and full Simpson exhaust system with a re-packable silencer.

The drivetrain specification is equally serious, centred around a Quaife QBEG60 six-speed sequential gearbox complete with Geartronics flat-shift system, Quaife digital display and TTV twin-plate clutch assembly. Power is transferred through a strengthened rear axle featuring 18-spline 3J shafts, 3J limited-slip differential and 4.1 crown wheel and pinion arrangement.

The shell itself has been extensively prepared and strengthened throughout, with the vendor advising there are no signs of corrosion. Finished in body colour both inside and underneath, the car features a substantial specification including a Safety Devices roll cage, strengthened suspension turrets, enlarged transmission tunnel and extensive lightweight carbon fibre components including the bonnet, boot lid, doors, bumpers, dashboard surrounds and interior trim panels.

The suspension and braking systems have been developed to match the car’s significant performance capability, incorporating Gaz Gold adjustable coilovers, adjustable anti-roll bars and suspension arms, GP4 bracing and HiSpec Motorsport brakes with six-pot front calipers and floating discs. Steering is via a quick rack and OMP steering wheel arrangement, while the interior houses twin carbon fibre Tillett bucket seats, TRS harnesses, Tilton brake-bias adjustment and a Dash2 digital display system monitoring the car’s key functions and sensors.

Additional competition-focused details include a hydraulic handbrake, plumbed-in fire extinguisher system, lightweight battery installation, GP4 fuel tank, swirl pot fuel system with braided lines throughout and lightweight Force Racing 15-inch billet split-rim wheels measuring 8-inch front and 9.5-inch rear.

The result is an Escort Mk2 of exceptional specification, blending period competition style with modern engineering and serious performance capability. Built to an evidently uncompromising standard with extensive expenditure throughout, this is a highly developed and extremely well-known example that would undoubtedly appeal to enthusiasts of high-end modified Fords, fast road competition cars and historic-inspired performance builds alike.