Continuation cars have become recognised and generally accepted over the last few years. We know that the best of them recreate specific cars that either no longer exist in original form or that could never be driven in anger due to their fragility, value or historical importance – or all three.
Extra points go to those that are created by the original company, perhaps even with input from the team that worked on the original model.
The Boreham Motorworks Alan Mann 68 Edition Ford Escort Mk1 ticks all those boxes. It’s a recreation of the 1968 British Saloon Car Championship-winning car XOO 349F driven by Australian Frank Gardner in ’68 and ’69. It’s officially sanctioned by Ford. And it’s built by Alan Mann Racing, headed up by Alan’s son Henry, with input from several of the original team members.
XOO, arguably the most valuable Escort Mk1 in existence, was built by the Alan Mann Racing Team to the Group 5 regulations of the day, which allowed wide deviation from the original car. Bear in mind that the mild-mannered Escort road car had only just been launched when XOO roared onto the track, sporting a double overhead camshaft Formula 2 FVA engine and completely remodelled suspension that used GT40 components at the front and torsion bars at the rear.
The recreation differs from XOO only in having FIA approved rollcage, harnesses and fire extinguisher system to gain it entry into historic racing. For customers who want an even closer XOO replica, a more period correct version can be ordered without the FIA safety gear. Otherwise, it’s just as the late Frank Gardner would have experienced XOO.
the steering heavy in the slow corners but full of feel. The engine, meanwhile, sounds glorious as it revs to its 8000rpm redline
On M-Sport’s private track in Cumbria, UK, the Alan Mann 68 Edition proves to be as engaging as anyone could hope for. Of course it looks the part, being so close to the original right down to the correct Electron magnesium style aluminium alloy wheels, 13x8in at the front and 13x9in at the rear.
Inside, there’s an early race working of the now classic six-dial dash and the famous deep dish steering wheel. The steering is heavy manoeuvring around the pit area, as the twin cam engine noisily thrums through the bare shell. The clutch is progressive, though, and there’s enough torque to pull away easily, as the straight-cut gears of the transmission whine and the engine falters at low revs until it clears its throat and comes on cam.
The unservoed brakes, solid discs all-round, need a firm push on the pedal on cold pads but immediately it’s clear that the car turns in exactly as expected, the steering heavy in the slow corners but full of feel. The engine, meanwhile, sounds glorious as it revs to its 8000rpm redline, while the Bullet four-speed ‘box prefers not to be snatched up but rewards smooth changes and a blip of the throttle on downchanges. Heel and toeing into the corners is a necessity for rapid progress.
As the laps go by, it becomes clear that the more you put into this car, the more it will give, whatever your skill levels. Instructor Karl Jones has already shown what the Escort can do on the warm-up laps, from initial understeer to perfectly throttle-controlled oversteer, but our drive can be best be described as fun but unheroically uneventful on the damp track.
Parent company DRVN Automotive is a force to be reckoned with and to have gained the approval of the Ford Motor Company shows the clout it’s gaining. DVRN bought Alan Mann Racing in November 2024, and has scanned and digitally modelled every part of XOO for this copy, of which 24 will be made.
Other Alan Mann continuations are set to follow but there’s also a road car Escort RS restomod on the way, along with an RS200-inspired model. For now, though, we’re waiting to see the first of the Alan Mann Escorts in historic racing, with the owners supported – should they wish – by Alan Mann Racing pit crews, from novice to expert level.
For more information, see borehammotorworks.com
