Alfaholics GTA-R vs MST Escort MKI vs Porsche 912c By Kamm: The Restogods | Top Gear

[@TheStorkSR]

Man I really hope people keep going with these restomods for charming 4-bangers. An Opel Ascona B 400, Lancia Fulvia, or the Fiat 131 Abarth would all be exciting to see given new life.

[@GrantBattle-w2m]

How amazing would they be the 131 is such a good car in rally form if one was set up right for the road be on par with the escorts an stuff but abit more of a unicorn so it's definitely cooler

[@S666GRJ]

MST who make the Escort restomods are working on a Metro 6R4 as well.

[@miura67]

Now you’re talking! Manta 400 as well. And I’d love to see a Lancia Montecarlo restomod.

[@mclarenjohnf1]

My fiat 131 supermirafiori I wish I had it still but there was only so many parts i could have welded.

[@benjaminbenson8714]

The Ascona and Manta need some love!!!

[@theinternetofrandomthings7796]

Alfaholics GTA definitely the one i'd take, with the Escort coming in second. Hard to go wrong though.

[@richardscott5529]

Me also how much hp is the Alfa

[@frosword]

@@richardscott5529240 bhp

[@jimspackman8527]

240 in that one.

[@thewarmwind6171]

The 912 is a hard sell just because it's a prototype and you don't know which way the final product is going to go. Both the Escort and the Alfa are very attractive though and yeah I'd give a slight edge to the Alfa, though if you consider cost I think the Escort is the easy winner. Not that people buying these consider cost.

[@Surestick88]

I'd happily put all three in the garage with space for a full race-prepped, balls to the wall Mini.

[@tomwebb7091]

The Alfa is just too special. The fact this was done well in advance of the restomod term only adds to that

[@itsminseok]

Probably one of the main cars which brought interest of the public to restomods....

[@schakalicious6023]

@@itsminseokrestomods have been big in america for decades, but they’re usually really unoriginal and uninspired. It’s pretty much usually just an ls swapped c2 corvette or a coyote swapped mustang on like 22 inch chrome rims and air suspension. Always automatic gearboxes as well. The paintjobs are usually at least really well done.

[@joebeus6886]

Do Porsche Restomod Battle: RUF, Singer, Gunther, Tedson, Theon, Tuthill, Kaege... 👍

[@shivenreddy5328]

TUTHILL!!!!!

[@martinfriedrich2617]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5_HeWqOopiXqZI&pp=ygUFOTExIGs%3D

[@HumanButcher150]

Also KAMM!

[@cabbageboio]

RUF's cars aren't really restomods though, they only share the steering wheel with a Porsche and have their own carbon fibre chassis

[@ShannonSouthAfrica]

Singer....

[@tonicjack9823]

I've seen lots of videos of the Alfaholics 105 GTA, and in every one the driver just can't stop grinning, at all! It's like someone has just painted a gigantic permanent smile right across their faces for the entire length of the segment. That tells you all you ever need to know.

[@digsbious]

The happiness Ollie gets from driving these vehicles, makes me almost equally as happy.

[@3ducs]

The Alfa has some magic in the suspension. Instead of the massive forged steel front A-arms are CNC milled titanium A-arms, the weight savings continue throughout the suspension, front and rear. It is an amazing car, I would love to have one.

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

Such a great company, you can either pay them to do a build for you, or buy any or all of their parts. They’ve kept the 105 series cars a viable classic to own with their replacement parts for things that had become impossible to source.

[@ballistyxwot4577]

lol, even the bonnet/hood hinges are drilled!

[@logicreversed18t]

As a Porsche guy, I can confidently say I'd much prefer to have either the Alfa or Ford. Maybe it's because they are sooooo exotic to us in the states. Either way, I love this trend in the restomod world. Prices are out of reach, but I'm still glad they exist.

[@richy69ify]

In Europe there's plenty of money about, it's the roads that are a problem. We no longer have 1980s roads to go with these cars when memories were made. In fact the more people race around with loud pipes, the lower speed limits become and speed ramps appear. This is how they killed it in Belgium. The national speed limit was reduced to 70 KMH apart from highways and some special long dual carriageways. London now going the way of 20MPH all over.

[@rbarbetta1978]

​@richy69ify Here in Texas USA, they put traffic cameras and sited all the data showing that they lead to saving numerous lives and increased safety 10 fold. It also generated a lot of revenue. But Texans got tired of all the tickets and after about a year, voted for all the cameras to be taken out of operation. Less safety, but more freedom. That is one thing that I love about America.

[@garyseaton4619]

That Alfa sounds so amazing... Who wouldn't love this as a weekend driver? My absolute favorite in this collection...

[@Schuey_M]

Nothing beige about a good 4 cylinder engine. Some of the best Honda Type R engines are 4 cylinder, like the mighty K20! And then some of the most powerful and great sounding Superbike engines are 4 cylinder. Great video, loved it!

[@DroneStrike1776]

I miss my B16 8000rpm 2500lbs Honda Civic Si (USDM).

[@cobenblack1876]

I’ve never really understood why people think four cylinders are inherently boring given that most sports bikes are four cylinder. If they’re boring it’s because they’re being made to be boring. There’s no reason they have to be.

[@gospelofrye6881]

Theory: 4-bangers got the boring reputation as car safety improved which made cars heavier. My 2000GTV from 1975 weighed 1005kg with me in it, and that was the 2L, the heaviest of the 105s. Our 1998 Subaru Liberty weighed 1,200kg. The 2021 Liberty weighed 1510kg. I guess the other factor was the relentless American cheer squad chanting V8 V8 V8 even when they were making 14L V8s that put out 97hp or whatever ridiculous numbers it was.

[@hughmongous5089]

​@@gospelofrye6881you can't cherry pick the malaise/smog era v8s. At the same time the cars in the video were coming out we had fire breathing v8s from the factory in America and our cars were more affordable than the alfa or the Porsche at least. 1970 chevelle ls6 had nearly 500 horsepower and will destroy everything in the video. Fun is subjective but don't disrespect the mighty American v8s of the time.

[@gospelofrye6881]

@@hughmongous5089 I can do what I want.

[@hughmongous5089]

@@gospelofrye6881 and I can do what I want too. Little yella bastard

[@gmain1977]

​@@gospelofrye6881muscle cars had upto 500hp from 64 to 73 and Drag Cars had big V8s that shook the ground. I feel 4 pots are for economy. You want 13 second times on the drag strip you need to spend a lot of money with 4 pots

[@colin5577]

The Porsche restomod scene is like a cat fight at a beauty pageant. Tuthill’s 911k this week, Singer’s DLS-T the week before, Theon the week before that, Gunther Werks, RUF, Porsche themselves resurrecting the ST and Dakar monikers, Tuthill doing the same with the Singer Safari thingy. Sure - you’d jump on any of them, but there’s something to be said for Alfaholics and MST being pretty much on their own working on their chosen icons.

[@elvis1745]

Hats off to Ollie for making me share his joy driving cars I'm too young to really appreciate or have emotions for, superb performance there mate!

[@RandyRodgirth]

Absolutely love the cars MST produce, they’ve got a mk 1 escort model they’ve dubbed the Evo under development as well now which I’m looking forward to seeing reviews on.

[@joecotter9014]

I've seen the recent video of the Evo and it looks stunning!

[@markbagley9972]

That alfa and escort just brings the biggest grin to your face the sound was just epic

[@thomasaskew1654]

I drove past these 3 cars being tested for this vid. What an awesome road for testing it on too!

[@Metal05]

They all test their cars on this road in Wales.

[@AGreyGoat]

Where is the road? I keep a catalogue of driving roads on my maps and I’d love to add this one if I haven’t already got it!

[@thomasaskew1654]

@@AGreyGoat sure! It's the B4391 in North Wales, it goes from Capel Celyn to Ffestiniog. It's a brilliant bit of tarmac!

[@AGreyGoat]

@@thomasaskew1654 turns out I already have it marked! Thanks for the reply though

[@rubenvalente]

No speed cameras there?

[@camerone397]

I hope the Porsche 944 gets professional restomod treatment some day. Such a fun, neutral platform, and would be so awesome if it were even lighter and revved higher. Maybe an impact bumper car with a 3.0 16V and ITBs...

[@procarbuildersNZ]

Working on it…

[@otavionovaes5865]

Naturally aspirated please! 😁

[@Will_14_years_ago]

Your onto something here

[@t.g.998]

Those old Alfas are my favourites. I've seen quite a few videos over the years, from multi year builds to quick bolt on but I would have to say that this is one of the best it not the best I've seen. The way it was put together and edited especially the commentary was immaculate.

[@Leto_II]

This video is better than basically every episode of TG for the last few years. We need more of this on the main show, drop Paddy and put this guy there and let’s have more stuff about real driving not million pound toys.

[@truckinghell1655]

My thoughts exactly

[@OnzaRob]

I stopped watching TG years ago, I want this type of content, I don't need or want to see 3 middle age blokes being stupid in cars!

[@DPCcars]

Incredible video. I'd have the Alfa, but honestly, it's like choosing a favorite child. Each has its own unique character and soul that makes it special. It's more than just metal, it's motoring history rejuvenated. 🚗💨

[@TopGear]

Which four-banger are you taking home?

[@aakar1s]

JUN's take on the Honda H22A: 2.2 litre VTEC with 269 hp at 7780 RPM, and close to 200 lb⋅ft of torque around 4000 RPM. Tractable and revvy.

[@aerys0661]

4AGE

[@polygorg]

that porsche is is cool, just 800kg?!

[@HexaSquirrel]

GTA-R

[@hbsupermage]

i would probably take a Honda Integra type R dc2

[@littlerp2]

On the topic of the modern 4-cyl sports engine: What about the ND2 Miata? Naturally Aspirated and Revs to 7500 RPM. There's even a racing series the Mx-5 Cup here in the US built around this exact Miata Platform with Sealed Stock Mazda Skyactiv 2.0L that you get in the consumer car. Granted it's only 188 bhp, but at 2400lbs it's still a riot. I own one and love it. You can rev them all day long and they just come back for more. I talked to the tech at Mazda and he said he's never had a blown mx-5 engine come in in his 6 years as a tech. Special engine in my non-professional opinion.

[@kentbeitel9966]

That escort is my favorite. If I had true money I would spend 100k on it, But the Alfa sounds amazing too! 🤘🔥

[@simonmaguire3866]

As my enjoyment watching the Alfaholics GTAR was cruelly interrupted by an advert for a soulless beige hybrid ULEZ box of sadness I realised the future of motoring is doomed unless these beautiful and desirable works of art can be saved. Great video and the smile on the drivers face said it all.

[@Valerunner.2023]

A Top Gear great episode, the irony is it’s for restomod cars from the past not the contemporary vehicles on sale by OEM’s, kind of a litmus of what we term progress.

[@Modshmockers]

That Alfa is a masterpiece ❤

[@roberthart3305]

The closing statement is too true. I miss it too. What gorgeous pieces of automotive art!

[@Henders72]

What an incredible trio, superb video. Alfa gets my vote.

[@cemsarioglu5947]

Here’s my restomod wishlist: *BMW M3 E30 *Opel Manta *Peugeot 205 GTI *Renault 5 GT Turbo *Lancia Delta HF Integrale *Porsche 944 *Toyota AE86

[@surrealness]

That Escort brings tears to my eyes. Unbelievable little cars.

[@NikosDIY]

Thank you Top Gear. This was one of the best comparison/test/review! I wish I had the cash for one of those!

[@ASJC27]

Great video. 4 cylinders are often just the grocery getters, but some are really great. I'm really happy with my special 4 banger, in the latest FL5 Civic type r.

[@timomomomo969]

Honda has made some great 4 cylinder engines

[@S-T-E-V-E]

Man that Alfaholics GTA looks and sounds amazing! The Escort is the same! I'd love either one!

[@MohamedAli965]

What a fantastic film. Got chills throughout the video. Love all three of these cars

[@bsuthe]

I would love any of these three cars. The sound alone is so glorious! I drive currently a 1.6 liter turbo, which is satisfying, but the sound of the engine is so muffled! My favorite is the Escort. It's my dream car!

[@nathanchildress5596]

Holy smokes these 3 are GORGEOUS. I mean, I feel like I can get my '85 Toyota MR2 most of the way there for waaaay less, but I can't deny the art here.

[@jryalls]

More of this please Top Gear

[@loonytoon688]

The Sound of this Cars is so mutch better than modern Cars . I Love it ❤❤

[@StrawPerson-xq9ko]

PROPER!! Love the Alfa and Escort. Nice one.

[@automationvisuals7867]

The Mark 1 Escort just got it right… best Anglia replacement possible

[@michaelswick4251]

Absolutely top shelf! What a great day at work. Love the restomod 4s

[@My_Auto_Chronicles]

I thought I couldn't want an MST Mk1 more....but then I watched this....❤❤❤❤❤

[@NorthWay_no]

Some mighty fine sounds there. You wouldn't have some flat-12 restomod to test?

[@TheScotsmanTechReview]

Quite a bit of smoke coming from that Alfa...

[@Fastvoice]

Looked like burnt oil to me.

[@nigelbostock4270]

Electing a new pope!

[@georgebettiol8338]

I understand it's the Alfaholics press car that has been thrashed to an inch of its life - so the engine is somehat 'run-in'.

[@jc87930]

I had a 69 912 that I went full race with. I feel their pain! All the same issues. But solved all that. Won several autocross championships with it!

[@Brookspirit]

The MK1 Escort is one of the most beutiful cars ever, the fact it's also so great ot drive is fantastic. My first car was a MK1.

[@449Raphael]

The mk1 is big fun to drive, but nowhere near a beautiful car. In many countries he is named , hundeknochen, hondeknook, os de chien, or dog bone.

[@darksideemt]

Until we got our first Alfa last year, a 22 Giulia Veloce, and fell in love I would have never have know about the GTA. I now want a restomod one so bad but know I will never have one sadly. That escort in this video was bad ass as well.

[@manosparavida3551]

The Alfa engine has actually been in production since 1954 with its first real change in 1994 via the addition of fuel injection. Just goes to show how far ahead of its time the 105 series engine was. Im lucky enough to own a 1968, 1750cc Berlina.

[@georgebettiol8338]

The Busso 4 cylinder was introduced in 1954 (750 series), however the 1750 US spec 105 Alfa was first fitted with Spica fuel injection in 1969 and later with Bosch fuel injection in 1982 when fitted to the 105 Spider sold in USA.

[@Clubber81]

Great video 👌🏼 Don’t forget the best 4cyl of em all, The E30 M3 !!!

[@adamscottv]

That Escort is way cooler than I expected it to be. Would love to drive that around the neighborhood..

[@andyhouston9836]

Thank you. Truly, three of the best cars ever made...

[@LüksSosyalizm]

Cracking video, just a shame the recording of the Escort and GTA engines sounded so distorted. Not sure if the sound man or dubbing mixer's fault.

[@ej2863]

Had a 1969 912, tons of fun, lightweight and high revs all day.

[@AlphaLlama]

I want all three! But if i had to choose i’d go for the Alfa. It’s so beautiful 😩

[@erok68]

best TG presentation since Jeremy👍🏻 love this presentation of iconic cars

[@nguyenminhquan2535]

Thank you for this amazing video, Top Gear. It seems like I have underestimated the Inline 4 engine.

[@pedrosousa8512]

Love the Escort but that GTA-R it´s a masterpeice!!!

[@1061shrink1061]

He seems to have forgotten the 4 pot engine in the Alpine A110, or the excellent engine in the ND mx5.

[@Fastvoice]

Alpine has a 1.8 l turbo, not N/A.

[@PaulGBass]

​@@Fastvoice perhaps they meant the original Alpine A110 from the 60s and 70s?

[@Fastvoice]

@@PaulGBass Who is "they"? In the video Ollie only talked about the comparison with current 4 cyl. N/A sportscars. Alpine was not mentioned in the video AFAIK.

[@ronaldroberts9556]

What an excellent and entertaining vid. Was a little surprised with the smoky Alfa exhaust. For me, the mk1 and that Gathercole engine is a match made in heaven!

[@AllerdaleAsh]

Yeah, its done the rounds as a press car and each time thrashed to its red line like its a rental, I’m not so surprised it smokes a bit.

[@jo05dk]

Yeah... The Alfa and the Escort gets my enthusiasm going big time. They sound like a car, and they behave like one i bet. Given the choice between a supercar and one of those two, equivalent prices of course, i'd take one of these any second of any minute of any hour of any day. Driving an insanely fast car slow doesn't do it for me. Listening to the Escort or the Alfa does, in a big way.

[@mtlsi]

Thank you for the video, I fully agree. High reving NA engine in a light body makes the best smiles per miles car. Sadly I cannot afford these legends of the cars, but I got myself Twingo 2 RS Cup and OMG is it fun. I do not care about the speed, acceleration. On the twisty roads I am just lauging all the way because it is such a riot. Thank you again.

[@frankberben-grsfjeld4726]

Great video and fantastic cars! Speaking about modern 4-cylinder NA engines: Mazda’s 2.0L in the MX5 ND2 is a lovely, smooth engine producing 184hk at 7500rpm with sufficient low down torque and an additional surge to the redline. It is right up there, in my opinion , with some of the best 4-cylinder engines ever made.

[@moa-wg3bo]

also beams

[@adogmcdizzle]

Brilliant film from Ollie & Top Gear. I would have any of them. I bet the 912c will be fantastic when it's all ironed out.

[@IanB22]

beautiful work sir... PLEASE more Alfa's ;)

[@Emjackson89]

Incredible video. I'd have the Alfa

[@seanoconnor8135]

Honestly, one of the best videos I have ever seen. Chris Harris is the king, and that Richard chap, he can stay

[@DoubleApexSA]

GR86 and current-gen MX-5 are both four cylinder naturally aspirated.

[@bield7]

Happily take any of these. All lovely

[@stevenedwards2087]

Love the escort. The Toyota lump in the elise was a cracking 4 pot as well, even if it was only 190bhp

[@armoris66]

A good few years (and cars) ago, I used to own a lightly modified, yellow Vauxhall Nova (twin barrel Webber with inlet manifold and 4 branch tuned out...nothing too hot). It was nowhere near the fastest car I've ever owned but as far as fun on the open road is concerned, the best. The sound of the induction noise of that little 1.2 NA engine combined by the light weight was simply a delight 😁

[@hydrotricine]

The Mazda MX5 ND2 2.0 engine should get a mention in terms of Naturally Aspirated engines you can buy new,with some breathing mods it actually sounds great and it is revvy while having great torque

[@fernandodeleon7466]

That Escort has personality ... I love the simple but gorgeous front . And what to say about driving experience? Such a cool car.

[@guygittins6934]

Fantastic!!! A wonderful video. Thank you TG & OM!

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Thats a great sounding Ford Escort ! I'd still take the Alfa though !

[@y0u5uf]

Very Very Good video. So well made, edited, shot and presented..

[@v811gfg]

Got to go for the Escort, having owned an original MK1 i just loved it apart from the rust.

[@exc911ence_channel]

That 912 is fantastic. I once owned a '69 912 with a 2.4L big-bore T4 engine slung out back. It didn't make 190hp like the feature car, but the ~145hp it had moved it along fairly spritely.

[@RSADYNAMICS]

Now that is a cast of cars worth watching in a road trip who wants to see some American land barges drive up to Scotland .amazing choices from the cars casting director

[@terrywbreedlove]

Power to weight ratio and fun at speeds we can actually drive on the streets.

[@NT4XT]

2:25 omg that Ford Escort is gorgeous and sounds exquisite with no turbo duh moments. Love it infinitely.

[@miketucker7466]

Escort is proof that nothing mainstream today is fun, even a standard 1.3 was so much fun to drive on roads like that!

[@fjahnhogler]

I’d choose a three cylinder two-stroke any day!

[@-joe-davidson]

MST Escort and the Alfaholics GTA-R look amazing. I want both of them.

[@chriswells966]

I love the Escort the most of these 3 but I also love the Frontline Abingdon Edition. I would love to see a comparison of the MST Escort and a Frontline MGB.

[@801walt]

Is this the Isle Of Man? This is the best piece from TG in some time. Great cars.

[@amyjeffs3269]

youi can clearly see this mans struggling to control his emotions driving these cars.Great video,and great presenting.

[@neilcheshire5726]

Loving the Escort MkI ❤

[@cristiansanchez3787]

El oír ese sonido y rugir del motor me causa una emoción única gracias por este deleite🔥👍🏼

[@shifty1927]

Got love for all engines. V10s, turbo inline sixes and 4 cylinders. They all have their own applications. Like i have a 1100hp turbo 2.8 i6 in my e36 and currently on the lookout for a k series for my e30. Wanna build a NA high rpm K making 300+hp as a modern s14 engine, since im not paying the crazy prices they want for those now a days.😂

[@craigmartin7504]

Absolutely beautiful traditional workmanship 😍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@R2_D3]

Great cars!! But, my favorite resto-mod is; The Volvo P1800 Cyan 2.0 4cil, (yes with turbo), is so drop-dead-gorgeous!!

[@vx8952]

The MST Escort is literally my favourite car! I would love to have one one day and love the enthusiasm shown in this video. I really wish small cars were still being made, I miss the Fiesta so much😭 so I want to get the latest St 200 for a daily. Keep up these amazing and emotional videos, I love them!

[@mikedodd5178]

Brilliant.. Thanks. Made my Day.😊😊

[@georgiosgrigoriadis6200]

The Alfa and the Ford have insane sound.

[@karacop78]

I'd vote for the Alfa although that Escort looks yummy. I was lucky enough to have both a mk2 and a '69 GTV 2000. But man, a lot of money there.

[@southney7211]

If I had a quarter of a mil for a b road blaster I’d take the Alfa too. Realistically the mst escort is a bargain in comparison and parts are readily available.

[@ScuderiaDiMarcello]

Wow what a cars, i put the Alfa on number one. Great video thanks.

[@tomkatdj]

The humblest engine there is? 4 cylinder? I drive a few 3 cylinders, and the sound is awesome, the performance from a twin cam around 100 hp per litre NA, in a super light car…..that’s pretty humble and just as much fun!

[@FAT8893]

Always love seeing these kind of cars. You still got that beautiful look but with modern day engineering.

[@MrNelmo2]

Oh wow, that Alfa and the Escort - look and sound amazing! I feel for future generations who will have to rely on the speakers in their EVs 🙂