Gordon Murray's MK1 Escort - Retropower Build Episode 5 - Cosworth Visit

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[@EDGEDAZZA]

Gordon Murray looking at you and saying excellent idea. That would be the best moment of your career!

[@retropowercars]

EDGEDAZZA you're not wrong! how will we top that 😊

[@JakobusVdL]

retropowercars I'd say getting a couple of likes on your you-tube videos would be about the same level of excitement. You have very discerning subscribers ;-)

[@jamesread11]

Look at me dad! I'm doing it! 😂

[@woopimagpie]

That's one of Dick Johnson's Sierras at 3:24 and 3:55 - arguably the fastest ones ever built for the category. Incredible machines. When building these cars in Australia they had some trouble getting technical info and equipment from the Brits, so they built their own computers, did their own engineering and basically just worked it out in-house. They ended up being the world's fastest touring cars of the day. Took one to the UK to race during the era and everyone was amazed (Dick included) at how much faster than the British cars it was. Amazing to see.

[@aaronpank]

i thought it might have been. but ive never seen his Sierras in the flesh so wasnt 100%

[@woopimagpie]

I saw these cars racing back in the day in Australia, they were insanely fast, and the noise they made was incredible. They had no blow-off valves so the turbo would whistle and flutter and pop and crackle and spit flames, it was quite the thing to see. The times they ran at Bathurst were bettered only by the all-conquering Nissan GTRs that came later, and the category that replaced it (V8 Supercars) took several years before they were approaching those lap times again and they had considerably more rubber under them and were much easier to drive on the limit as well. Steve Johnson (Dick's son) drove one at an exhibition race I saw a couple of years ago, when he was interviewed afterwards he said it was incredibly difficult to drive compared to a V8 Supercar as it had more power, which came on quite suddenly, and it only had half the rubber on the rear. You could see even though he was taking it pretty easy, when he got onto the straights he would feed the power in a bit and it was trying to break traction as soon as the full boost came on. It's a testimony to how good the drivers were back in those days I reckon. Dick used to say it was like balancing on a knife edge - one little slip and you were gone. Very interesting to see that Cosworth themselves have chosen to exhibit one of Dick's cars as an example of the type.

[@woopimagpie]

Check this out from 1992. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6vKeqqIpbCBebs Despite what the commentators say during the broadcast it was rumored (and DJR confirmed it years later) that these cars were producing 680hp in qualifying trim. You can see how twitchy it is and how well Dick is driving it. The mighty Nissan GTRs were competing in this Top 10 runoff but Dick was still quicker in his Sierra.

[@bondy284]

I say them at Lakeside in Brisbane many years ago. Dick personally owned a road going Sierra which I saw and heard on many occasions as he lived not far from me. Factory spec.....doubtful. Fast you better believe it. 👍🇦🇺

[@woopimagpie]

Wow, I wonder what happened to that road-going car? I think I read somewhere that it was black, is that right? Knowing Dick it would have had a bit of work done to it all right, I bet it was a proper weapon.

[@JamesYoung61]

It must a huge weight of your mind when Gordon Murray comes to your design office and likes the work you are doing for him. The reason that it went so fast is because he knows what he wants from the start and he knows what is reasonably possible. You can probably tell that I am a fan.

[@MattCardinal]

I am so glad that you decided to show this design review. Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is one of those places where people skills are so important and it is a place where the light is rarely shone. I'd expect this to be useful to anyone working in a creative field.

[@apscoradiales]

An amazing job meeting - all went well. It's interesting hearing Mr. Murray talking about the looks - even though he didn't mention proportions this time - he did in the previous video - it is always in his mind. All successful designs, be they cars, buildings, clothes or anything else, first and foremost must have ideal proportions. This meet so much reminded me of the meetings we had as architects - brainstorming the designs and options. Moving the Escort badge to the opposite side away from the exhaust is a real gem; balance and proportions!

[@bondy284]

Cosworth. I feel very privileged to see the factory. Well done.👍🇦🇺

[@antonhoward5613]

Epic stuff. How much better is this series than watching the American am-dram on satellite TV.A bit different to us scoring Scrapyard's in the eighties and bolting bits together on a wet driveway on Sunday afternoons, but then again you could pick up a reasonable running Mk1 for £200!

[@callumbush2]

Stumbled upon this channel by accident, excellent content!

[@quintalyurts8192]

Ive been to the Cosworth factory and was treated to a tour of the museum and part of the production line. It was a real privilege.

[@bigcus8176]

Really enjoyable series. Cool to see the Dick Johnson racing shell Sierra in the cosworth showroom, as a viewer from down under.

[@shoominati23]

He probably sold it to them for a dollar when he was done racing it so as to avoid paying capital gains tax.

[@srolmeda]

This has become my fav automotive channel on YT. From the editing, to the music and of course, the incredible content. Amazing work guys, always looking forward to the next episode!

[@davepuma1537]

Utterly fascinating and captivating stuff. I'm absolutely loving following you and Gordon's journey. The genuine enthusiasm and attention to detail comes through in each video and not a bit of carbon fibre in sight unlike the usual YT car vlogging guff. Keep it up.

[@apscoradiales]

Indeed!

[@BruceBusby]

It's great that the builders are so very humble. I'm certain, they were chosen to build this car for Gordon Murray based on the really beautiful work they do!

[@steveherbert5257]

This build is the best thing on KZbin. The enthusiasm of the guys and the attention to detail is ace

[@FernandoSosaIndustries]

This has turned into the best youtube build I have seen. Great video, music, and editing ! The excitement of this build is clear as day and truly enjoy the fact that you guys are still humble (or so is sensed). Great job to all involved... Good vibes from Detroit, Michigan. Looking forward to the next videos

[@pamacleod]

Bingeing this series now, just sad it took me this long to get here 🙂 Loved seeing Dean living his best life too. What a great little moment.

[@PhilUKNet]

That is an amazing part of the world for motor sport. I worked briefly at Cosworth as an IT contractor and also, while working in Northampton, had a guided tour of Ilmore Engineering.

[@rodneymounsey4168]

How satisfying to be able to see the process and thought that has gone into delivering for your client.

[@ProtonFilms_Mark]

Wish I could be so good at my job that a legend could walk into my studio and like my ideas. Top job, can't wait to see the finished article.

[@Rich-dw8ph]

Love seeing the passion and emotion you guys are putting into this build. It really matters to you that this car comes out right - and that's awesome to watch. Thanks for taking us with you

[@271production]

I love the little sneakpeaks at other projects like the RB25 Manta and the Millington Alfa. Amazing builds

[@tchaps5130]

That Alfa oh my god.

[@retropowercars]

The Lizard 666 we'll be doing a short video on that next month. also there is Facebook page covering the build (as with all our projects). search Retropower Alfa on Facebook

[@tchaps5130]

I'll check that out cheers

[@andrewmurray6772]

Geez, having lived in Scotland myself, for 2 years, and being an Aussie Murray myself,.....it's got to be the beer ! English enginners, love them or hate them, have done some amazing stuff over the years ! :) Cheers from Australia, love this build !

[@andrewmurray6772]

hi Skodaman, yes, you're right. When i was there i mostly drank English beer, can't remember exactly what brands, it was almost 20 years ago i was there

[@darrynwalker268]

He is South African, cant hide that accent

[@geoffhalstead1811]

What a series of videos 👍👏🍾🍸 Can't believe they are putting the auxiliary dials out of direct eyesight! I added 4 dials to my road 105E by moulding an enclosure that fitted on top and centre of the dash, and just required a flick of the eyes to read them. That mod proved its worth when I raced the car at Kyalami in the '70s, with a rev counter in its own enclosure next to them. My Mk3 Cortina GT had those gauges in the most stupid place imaginable, way down on the centre console meaning you had to peer down at them and wait for your eyes to focus! They put the slot for a radio where the gauges should have been.

[@geoffhalstead1811]

Steven Ross-watt 👍 I missed that about dry sump warning🤗 Must watch the video again. I fitted a 2" indicator lamp centre dash where the vent controls used to be so as to get a clear warning of any failure. It was bright enough that I could see it out the corner of my eyes. Never had it go off except when switching ignition of on start-up.

[@JIMWSMITH]

Another fantastic video guys. Loving this build and the attention to detail.👌

[@Benny_painter]

Bloody loving these videos. More of your other builds too would be even cooler! Love the little clips of other cars through the video, its a really nice detail.

[@ValuedComment]

Gordon Murray: "Actually, I've just thought of something" *silence*

[@DISORDERLYPUNK]

the devil is in the details and you guys really hit the details - too much tartan / which gear knob to use - relocating the escort badge, i look forward to every episode you bring out and enjoy seeing every one

[@flash-us9bn]

Well done stunning video. So much hard work to understand your client the end result is that decisions look easy. Well done

[@geraldthing9495]

Very interesting, liked the young Cosworth chap.🇦🇺

[@crosswick]

A remarkable amount of heart in this series, very nice

[@glensgraphix]

I'm loving these videos! Nice to see the Dick Johnson Sierra in Cosworth. This car is going to be amazing.

[@michaelmatthews8171]

Loving it apart from the dash,should be a six clock one,thats escort law!!!!

[@Bergie_78]

Cracking video lads, beautifully done and such a poignant project. My dad has a 68 Lotus 7 twincam in a bit of a state that could benefit from your talents!

[@keithprinn6900]

great project and exceptional visit

[@aussiebloke609]

OMG, I just realised...that red Sierra in the front foyer is Dick Johnson's old car. I remember watching him racing at Bathurst when I was...well, let's just say I was a _lot_ younger. Awesome to see it's still around! :-D

[@geraldswain3259]

Dick Johnson new how to put a Cosworth YB together better than anyone else in touring cars, and was the quickest drive also !.

[@keithprinn6900]

his engine guy did

[@leighharron]

The utter glee on Dean's face 😁😁

[@robpriest9031]

You know when GM shakes your hand and says 'Well done' .....you really have done well.

[@prkidd23tc]

One of my dream cars. Subscribed. I’m interested in that AE86 build as well.

[@sicks6six]

Gordon looking well, when he asks you to design a car you know your doing something right,

[@jvandenberg1987]

Realy good series, keep up the good work!

[@finchy2002]

great vid again doing a amazing job can’t wait for the next episode

[@Ditypo]

that Cosworth engineer was class

[@quintalyurts8192]

Love the engine plaque and associations.

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Absolute brilliant!

[@matthewmcquade1]

Great work guys !!! Amazing work as always ! Can't wait to see the finished product !!

[@gareththwaite5128]

best project on youtube

[@thomasmcqueenie]

when is there going to be a part 6 because I'm loving watching the development of the mk1 excort and for the legend that is Gordon Murray😁

[@retropowercars]

tom mcq mid to late April 👍

[@OldPortsmouth]

Have met Gordon for a very brief meeting once - very down to earth chap, and has a aura about him :-) - anyway, very good series, enjoying it, thank you ! Regarding Cosworth, did you discuss the future of the brand? - sad it may be, but it really looks like like walking around the past :-( ... have they investigated electric power? and will we ever see an electric "cosworth" Focus :-) - that would be fantastic (love or hate electric power, its coming and coming fast now !). At a client I was at a few weeks ago, the rumor is F1 are looking to make a full change to electric and not as long away as we would expect it to be!

[@deldridg]

Aaaah yes - breathing life into real 'machines', not, often soul-less hybrids of machinery and tech, as marvellous as tech is these days. What real driver truly wants his/her inputs to be curated and manipulated by some intelligent system before manifesting in control changes? Love the channel and thanks from Sydney - Dave

[@Tcmn91]

I need to see more of that Alfa!

[@davehigson9503]

Gunna be one hell of a car this when it’s finished!

[@maxjamieson3341]

RB powered manta in white is beautiful

[@aaronpank]

I am loving this build. As a proud Mk1 Escort owner from Australia (1300XL, still a 1300), and the owner of a mazda6 2.3, I am inspired to one day build a 2.3 Duratec Mk1. But not this Mk1. Its an unrestored survivor car, so i cant molest it :D I have a question though. Its a massive build, and I love everything about it so far, other than 1 thing. Why not use the twin cam 6 dial dash? even if you were to fit aftermarket gauges to the twin cam housing, I would be doing that. But personal preference. impressive build, and awesome production on the videos, keep it up guys, cant wait for the next instalment.

[@actontreadway1168]

guys- gearknob: ebony or blackwood. looks black but feels like wood because it is. period looking. tight grain so it won't stand out as a separate material that isn't represented elsewhere. you could also do the steering wheel in that material for an even better result.

[@retropowercars]

Acton Treadway i like that idea 😁

[@actontreadway1168]

retropowercars give it a try! Lots of ways to do it.

[@JakobusVdL]

The Alfa GTV looks and sounds amazing. The leather upholstery must be a bit special

[@d2cdl]

Great work. Thankyou.

[@sydbarrett7579]

Where’s the Alfa you were talking about? The tartan clocks would have a been a cheeky touch, shame Murray didn’t go for it.

[@pinderwagen]

Really enjoying this project and the quality of the build. I know you said you are excited and nervous, but can you PLEASE try and stop talking over other people ? Especially when they probably know more about it than you. It`s extremely distracting.

[@retropowercars]

Pinderwagen will try.. so hard when nerves and enthusiasm are in overdrive!

[@pinderwagen]

retropowercars I completely understand! The fact that you are enthusiastic is one of the enjoyable things about this series 🙂

[@MrKristyon]

I thought it was pretty obvious the man is nervous. Cut him some slack FFS. He's not a professional presenter, we are all lucky to be seeing any of this.

[@MrLukealbanese]

'9 Days in Summer' - that's what you need to see.

[@damientowning4656]

Was that a Kiwi accent I heard from the guy with the camera right at the end?

[@jjmac3561]

Why not use the gt/twincam dash?

[@virgilrytaar9083]

Anyone know what the name or brand of that seat is?

[@shoutykat]

That moment at about 2:40 when they're lingering over the DFV and I thought they were seriously contemplating one of those and came over all inappropriate.

[@montanaheaventush]

Wow that control room is pretty damm loud!

[@garethlogan7168]

What price do we think when it’s finished? 100k?

[@iainf]

Loving this guys but please get some media training in asap as this is getting bigger than any of you would have thought. This is your big chance !

[@tomstech4390]

I'm thinking the gearstick should have been wood. There's no wood elsewhere but there's no tartan either. Have a nice wooden gearnob with a metal "pill" epoxied to the top with a lazer etched shift pattern onto it. But whatever not my car so long as it makes him happy. Just more options and alternative perspectives.

[@OrganicWheat]

So they like playing with 4 cylinders? What about a Honda cosworth?

[@funkytransport]

go on a factory tour and talk over the tour guide.. hahah

[@nickraschke4737]

Iain Macpherson not to mention having his head in every second shot. Getting beard fatigue trying to watch this series.

[@ianc8357]

Did you discuss having a millington engine or a n/a YB in the escort?

[@retropowercars]

Ian C bizarrely no... I think the Duratec was quite quickly chosen in an early discussion with Gordon. A Millington would certainly have been mega though

[@BlowNova70]

Poor guy from Cosworth couldn’t get a word in edgeways

[@danielflack7902]

A Dick Johnson group A in your entrance. Legendary stuff.

[@damianstavros8030]

Good to see the #tetanusbus again!

[@zennevolution8661]

love what your doing but would love to see some episodes of actual work being done instead of snap shots of what u have done . keep up the great work

[@retropowercars]

Zenn Evolution the logistics of that are extremely hard. Staff would need micing, and a guy filming full time. as it is we just grab a camera when something interesting is happening and quickly shoot it. then once per episode we spend a day chatting about it. however if you want to see the work in detail it's all covered photographically. search for the Gordon Murray Escort Facebook page to see the work in detail

[@DubSe7en]

13:55 the rs gauges look ‘horrible’?? Wtf!

[@Retrobeemer]

Loving this series of videos and the Escort is going to be epic. Have to say there's nothing in your workshops I wouldn't be proud to own but that Alfa is simply glorious! Is there any more detail / video available please?

[@retropowercars]

Bodykitted 316shed search Retropower Alfa on Facebook for the project page. and also keep your eye out on here as we've recorded a little walkround and chat about it which we'll put up next month

[@aussiebloke609]

Just wondering...did you film the entire build first, then start the long process of cutting it into episodes and editing - or is this project still ongoing?

[@retropowercars]

aussiebloke609 no it's covered as we go along so what you see here is usually no more than a month behind when it happened

[@aussiebloke609]

Sweet! Thanks, mate. Really enjoying the series, especially the attention to detail which others seem to gloss over. Two thumbs up, and I'd give 2 likes as well, if YT would let me. :-)

[@2011metalmaniac]

do cosworth do any work on the ecoboost engines at all?

[@subconscious.com_usa6691]

If you have enough money they would, but M sport in England are the one's who build fords WRC cars now, kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIrFfp5rZcaqhZI www.m-sport.co.uk/

[@jonnyb2532]

FYI . . . a 4 point harness is dangerous . . . a 5/6 point *is* safe for the track as is a 3 point on the road.

[@drs_888]

Jonny B can you explain why?

[@finchy2002]

any news on the next instalment??

[@retropowercars]

finchy2002 going to be next Sunday. Ended up cutting it too fine to get the editing finished for today

[@Igifzo]

*gordon says anything* "yeah that's what we were just saying yeah haha that's what we thought yep I agree I agree I agree"

[@truthseeker8483]

The master has spoken....

[@retropowercars]

rare to have a conversation with a customer where we agree on so much tbh. refreshing

[@mikeymoynihan8395]

The customer is always right

[@retropowercars]

Mikey Moynihan wrong. if the customer asks for something dangerous for example. Thankfully no danger of that here 😊😊

[@proinnsiasoc]

Gordon sounds like he's confident with the well thought out ideas presented. He's obviously getting you guys to build the car because he likes the style of build you do. Sounds like a proper gentleman to deal with and it must feel brilliant to be asked to build this Mk1 for him. Excellent videos BTW. Looking forward to seeing the car built.

[@OrganicWheat]

Will this fit in my Honda?

[@Zero_Ninety]

No

[@matnrach]

Poor old Cosworth is a shadow of its former self!

[@retropowercars]

matnrach that'll be the lack of Ford funding now. they are still doing incredible work for some exciting (and in some cases surprising!) customers 👍🏻

[@matnrach]

I know funding is an issue (look at the state of the piston forge and the test cells!) but there are no current race engine programmes which is a shame

[@lutherblissett9070]

Imagine if Ford had done with Cosworth in the 90s what Merc did with AMG... massive open goal missed.

[@jackcoleman7751]

21:44 wow

[@kellvid]

I remember having ventilation problems in Mk1 escorts (RS1600) have you considered fitting a heated front screen? We got a heated laminated screen from Ricky Evans Motorsport. They are dual circuit and are effective.www.heatedwindscreen.com/acatalog/ford-escort-mk1-clear-heated-windscreen.html

[@retropowercars]

Steve Bestwick its having exactly that 👍👍

[@amraceway]

Make the gear knob an 8 ball.

[@clique53]

Love how your schooling the Key Accounts Manager!!!!!!

[@samsnake6699]

Next chapter please.

[@retropowercars]

samsnake66 will be this coming Sunday

[@samsnake6699]

retropowercars Can't wait, best series on KZbin.

[@TheXJRMAN]

Men in sheds, you guys must be pinching yourselves - Murray and Cosworth...there's some racing history.

[@retropowercars]

Sean B absolutely. one thing we've always been keen to get across is that we are just a group of petrolheads building cars in a shed. trying not to overly polish or corporatise our image as many do. hard balance to strike though! in any case it's a dream come true!

[@clairebannister4749]

Gear knob should be wood because for the very reason there is nothing else wood (Beech)

[@donfinch862]

bloody good

[@johnnytenjobs]

I was going to say it's annoying to have so much arty farty discussion about details but then they agreed on some nice things!

[@johnnytenjobs]

They will have to take care with the wheels. Must be 13". Suspect they will go for Lotus steels.

[@erikeggenbakstad]

When I win the lottery 😁👍

[@boing615]

I though cylinders were cast, didn't realise they were pressed.

[@boing615]

*facepalm* I meant piston not cylinder....... Still, I thought they were cast?

[@retropowercars]

most normal road car pistons are cast. The standard Duratec pistons are cast. The forging process creates a much stronger structure to the metal hence forged pistons being used in performance applications. Nice to have an engine builder where they forge their own pistons I must admit 😊

[@boing615]

Always nice to have the right kit for the job!

[@drs_888]

Put his tartan on the horn push of the Momo wheel

[@retropowercars]

That's actually a great idea 👍

[@Robertusvlogsit]

The guy who did the sound on these video's should be sacked. The rest: 10 out of 10.

[@patpattiboy6923]

Anybody with any thoughts how much this build is gonna cost....

[@retropowercars]

Pat pattiboy I always recall the words of an Irish chap on a Grand Designs episode: "somewhere between a good lot of money and an awful lot of money" 😁

[@hazbutler]

Pedantic car guys trying to one-up each other with their interesting engine facts

[@Csl74csl]

Love it! Small piece of advice would be to shorten the videos by about 10 mins.. It would add to the entertaining value I think.

[@retropowercars]

CSL 74 we're trying to keep them shorter.. it's very hard to cut bits but still keep important points in. this one for instance was cut from about 5 hours of footage

[@waynebrooker4254]

retropowercars So, can we have a 2 hour Director's cut on each episode for insomniacs like me to enjoy?

[@retropowercars]

Wayne Brooker haha... just wait for a few more instalments without watching then then binge watch the whole lot 🤣🤣