2024 Intro
When you hear about the Ford Escort RS Cosworth, two things might immediately spring to mind: its legendary Cossie heritage, which includes the iconic Sierra RS Cosworth, and Ford’s involvement in the World Rally Championship (WRC) during the 1990s. Drivers like François Delecour and Carlos Sainz piloted these all-wheel-drive, Group A and World Rally Car-spec vehicles. However, what you probably don’t think of is a V8 twin-turbo, rear-wheel-drive Escort RS Cosworth designed for drag racing.
But that’s precisely what we showcased a decade ago. Crazy? Absolutely! Epic? No question! This week, we’re revisiting Bryn Musselwhite’s 2014 piece on an 8-second Escort that shattered all expectations.
2014 Feature
It’s hard to imagine calling a twin-turbo V8 Escort RS Cosworth the "safe option," but for Matt Smith, that’s exactly what this speedy Ford is. His journey through superbikes, 500hp Cosworth engines, and racetracks has always been about one thing: speed. We’re talking about sub-10-second quarter-mile speed at the drag strip.
Reading through the comments on our stories, I often notice a mix of interest and envy, particularly from the American audience who admire European-built fast Fords. The RS (Rallye Sport) heritage dates back to the early ’70s, but it’s the Cosworth name that truly gets the adrenaline pumping. It’s amusing and a bit ironic how Europeans covet American V8s while Americans long for our four-cylinder, turbocharged homologation specials. Matt and his Escort seem to have the best of both worlds, don’t they?
What Matt has now is worlds apart from what Ford intended when they launched the Escort Cosworth in 1992. But being a true petrolhead with a need for speed, the original version was never going to be enough for him, especially given his history. He’s managed to strike a balance between radical modifications and preserving the original spirit of the Cosworth badge. Matt never envisaged it reaching this point, but his passion never waned. Initially aimed at winning concours trophies, the project quickly turned toward dominating the drag strip.
Speed has been a defining element in the Smith family, initially fueled by motorbikes. Inspired by his older brother Martin, Matt and his friends transitioned from motocross and superbikes to fast track cars and road bikes. However, some close calls and injured friends served as a wake-up call. As Matt wisely puts it, "No matter what you say, you’re going to go out and go faster, and you don’t realize how fast you’re going until you have to stop or have a crash."
Matt remembers a friend, Jamie, having an Escort Cosworth in their younger days. The big-winged three-door is an iconic figure in the European tuning scene, and it’s a model that’s left a lasting impression on many of us. It’s one of those ‘one day’ cars. The original 220hp was just the starting point for many owners, and when a friend who hadn’t used theirs in years offered it for sale in 2008, Matt jumped at the chance.
After a gearbox failure returning from Ford Fair the following year, Matt devised a plan to build a fast, streetable Escort Cosworth. With a 500hp engine from renowned builder Harvey Gibbs, the car was stripped down for a full rebuild.
The turning point came when a friend, Phil Peck, invited the brothers to a drag strip one weekend. Initially skeptical, Matt was captivated by the explosive power and condensed sensations of drag racing. He soon realized this was his new calling.
Now, Matt’s Escort boasts two turbos, twice the number of cylinders, and over five times the original power. So, did he make the right choice?
That weekend, Matt met Jon Webster, a man with invaluable experience. Jon played a crucial role in the project, as Matt explained, "It’s about trust when you want somebody to do this kind of work. I don’t want to be building an engine every other week or redoing things after every race."
Jon advised on the twin-turbo V8 setup, and Matt found an Escort already converted to this configuration. With the original Cosworth stripped down, the engine setup from the new car was transferred to Webster Race Engineering, and the build began.
The goal was to enter the Street Eliminator Championship, which meant keeping the Escort street-legal, aligning with Matt’s desire to enjoy it on the road. A YB-based engine wouldn’t suffice, as reliability issues would arise with big power. The beam rear end was replaced with a Ford 9-inch back axle, requiring cutting into the detailed shell, but Matt has no regrets.
The car now features a small block Chevrolet V8 with twin Garrett GT4094 turbos, producing between 1,000 to 1,200hp based on its performance stats. The Morette twin headlamp conversion, borrowed from the Sierra rally cars, and the mesh grille from the Sierra RS500, pay homage to its heritage.
The original engine was built by Mark Moseley, with support from Richard Coles at Coltec Racing Engines and parts from Rob Loring at Ice Engineering. The teamwork made the transition from circuit to strip seamless. Racing under Team Extreme, Matt and Martin enjoy a lineup that includes a Supra and an R32 Skyline.
With the hood open, the Escort reveals a well-packaged setup, and everything serves a purpose. The only non-standard body panel is the modified hood to accommodate the engine. The carbon lower lip complements the car’s original lines.
Despite its drag capabilities, the Escort maintains a subtle appearance, free from graphics or names. Inside, it’s modified for purpose but retains its familiar factory lines. The gearstick has been replaced by a B&M shifter, and a SPA digital dash sits in the carbon fiber cluster.
Matt’s love for carbon fiber is evident, with carbon bucket seats and a steering wheel from UK firm Reverie adding to the interior’s appeal. The standard center console and rear parcel shelf are still in place, emphasizing the car’s sleeper status.
The Escort might be a sleeper, but it’s capable of 8.4-second quarter-mile times. The goal is to achieve a consistent 8-second run, with the possibility of reaching the 7s.
The journey hasn’t been without challenges, but that’s part of the thrill. This was initially meant to be a show car, but it’s become so much more. It’s fully road-legal, as proven by a 25-mile night cruise with other Street Eliminator competitors, including a fuel stop and hot start.
Witnessing the convoy of high-powered cars at a countryside fuel station is a sight to behold. As we navigate dark roads, the brake lights and headlamps create a smile-inducing spectacle, leaving other road users unaware of the automotive potential they just encountered.
Matt’s Escort is a safe alternative to superbikes, but how far will he go with it? With its full-bodied frame, sunroof, glass, and metal panels, Matt plans to keep it an 8.50 street car. Going further would mean significant changes, which he believes would be a waste of the car’s current form. The passion is to go faster, but the priority is to have fun along the way.
The Smith brothers know how to get things right, so whatever the future holds, it promises to be exciting. Sometimes, it’s best to enjoy the journey, as it’s often as important as the destination. Are you ready to embrace the unknown with your project, or will you see where it takes you?
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Matt Smith’s Twin-Turbo V8 Ford Escort RS Cosworth includes:
- Dart aluminum small block Chevrolet V8 engine
- Eagle forged 4340 crankshaft and H-beam rods
- SRP turbo-spec pistons, Speed-Pro rings, Bullet custom racing turbo camshaft
- Edelbrock Victor Jr. heads, Crane cam springs, Jesel shaft-mounted rockers
- Accel EFi Pro Ram manifold, 2x Garrett GT4094 turbos, custom baffled sump
- Built by Mark Moseley with tech support from Richard Coles at Coltec Racing Engines
- Andy Frost-built manually shifted 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission
- AVO and double adjustable coilovers, Wilwood brake conversion
- Compomotive MO wheels with Mickey Thompson DOT tires
- Full RS Cosworth bodykit, Morette headlamp conversion, carbon grille and splitter
- Extreme Fibre carbon dash, Reverie carbon seats and steering wheel, SPA digital dash
- Webster Race Engineering roll cage, TRS harnesses, Painless switch panel
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