Not a Ford Escort: The MST Mk1 | Henry Catchpole - The Driver’s Seat

In his first film for the Hagerty channel, Henry Catchpole (a tall, slightly scruffy but award-winning motoring journalist,) introduces us to his passion for cars with the MST Mk1.
For his first review, Catchpole could have reviewed a supercar, or a hyper car, or even his own Mk2 rally car (that doesn’t have an engine in it at the moment) but no--he chose a MST Mk1. The curious thing about the MST Mk1, which looks exactly like a Ford Escort Mk1, is that it isn’t actually an old car from the 1960s - it is a brand new car. Not a restomod created from some poor donor car, but a car built using a brand new Ford Escort Mk1 body shell, with a freshly minted number plate. Which is why, to keep Ford’s lawyers happy, it doesn’t have a single Blue Oval badge anywhere on it and you won’t find MST (which stands for Motorsport Tools - mst-cars.com) calling it a Ford, or an Escort.
Semantics aside, all that really matters is that it has the wonderful induction noise of a naturally-aspirated BDG engine, the tactility of a manual gearbox and the sort of glorious rear-wheel drive handling balance, that makes you think of rally cars in a forest with Clark behind the wheel, or Mikkola in the driver’s seat.
We hope you enjoy the film as much as Henry clearly enjoyed the car. And even if you’re perplexingly indifferent to red cars with gold wheels, we suggest you check it out anyway just for Glenn Winhall’s stunning editing, and jaw-dropping drone shots of Wales.
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Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuilds | Time-lapse engine rebuilds from start to finish bit.ly/RedlineR...
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars bit.ly/BarnFInd...
Jason Cammisa on the Icons | The definitive car review
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Revelations | Untold Stories About Automotive Legends with Jason Cammisa
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#HenryCatchpole #TheDriversSeat #NeverStopDriving

[@Hagerty]

What other cars would you like to see Henry drive on this series?

[@JoshuaNewhook]

Mk2 Golf GTI

[@tanaka90]

@@JoshuaNewhook Renault sport Clio V6, any phases

[@kylewise3111]

I'd really like to see older Porsches or maybe even some of the restomod ones like singer for example

[@jannesaranpaa1138]

All of them.

[@viranjith]

2002 Jaguar XJR

[@HenryCatchpole]

Thank you very much for all the kind comments. It’s hugely appreciated. Really chuffed to have joined the fabulous Hagerty roster of presenters.

[@markthibault8579]

Congrats, Henry. Looking forward to seeing more videos. Well done!

[@jonathanmillar]

Always a pleasure watching your videos, Henry. The passion and joy really comes through and it's just such a pleasure to have content like this from you. Also, the production of this (like all the Hegarty stuff at the moment) is exceptional, well done to the filming and editing folks.

[@seinfeld11123]

ive always loved the Mk1 escorts mate. you are right about how they just love to slide ever so mildly and controllably. I remember well. I was in my friends mk1 with 2ltr ford engine in it. we went around this fast long 4 right opens (tarmac) and he initiated the slide and it just sat there at this fast beautiful mild slide. i just nodded in agreement haha see if MST can help get your Mk2 going. id love to see it on here

[@snakerb]

Does that mean you’re no longer doing Carfection videos Henry?

[@ALEXANDARRR42]

@@snakerb huge loss for Carfection if he is no longer apart of their channel. I subscribed to Carfection only because of Henry.

[@lukesimkins4628]

Hagerty is, without a doubt, the best automotive channel on KZbin, with the highest quality presenters in the world. Jason Cammisa, Magnus Walker, and now Larry Chen and Henry Catchpole?! Outstanding.

[@dirrrrrrr]

Reminds me of prime Top Gear

[@Broyale26]

All Hagerty needs to do is get JayEmm, Matt Farah, Stradman, Manny Khosbin, Tavarish, Samcrac, and Scotty Kilmer now.

[@Rentta]

@@Broyale26 No, just no. Especially Kilmer....

[@t0sserlad]

@@Rentta Exactly. Chris Harris on the other hand...

[@Lambullghini]

@@Broyale26 Perhaps only Matt Farah, others not so much.

[@jhowardstl]

Seeing Henry Catchpole on the Hagerty channel has me so excited. Very cool car and even better review by one of the best automotive presenters on the planet!

[@Poorschedriver]

OMG Catchpole and Cammissa under one roof!?! There really needs to be some joint collaboration with these 2 because they're seriously the GOAT.

[@matthewschiebout7384]

Cammissa isn't even in the top ten!

[@lesflynn4455]

They're good, and I watch all their stuff, but that's a reach and a half.

[@monunyabidness5949]

@@matthewschiebout7384You'd have to name said top 10 for me to believe that. IMO Chris Harris, Cammisa and Catchpole are the literal top 3. Harry Metcalf is up there too. Finding someone who can explain the technical details and also how they translate to driving enjoyment is not easy. Dave Coleman (formerly editor at Sport Compact Car) explains technical details beautifully to a tech nerd like me- I love knowing how things work, but his delivery is a bit lacking in passion, the few times i've seen him present. But if you want to know technical details of how something in the car works, or why it was changes in such a small way, he's the best.

[@WyattWill]

Hagerty has Catchpole now? 🤯They already have Cammisa. Add Chris Harris and they'd have all of the best car reviewers in one place.

[@CJinSD1]

They lost Jack Baruth, who was the only one you could trust.

[@mminnillo1]

What about Daddy Doug?

[@tyler9703]

@@mminnillo1 Doug Demuro isn't what he once was

[@an-dr6eu]

@@mminnillo1 So instead of driving experience and technical explanations we can have a look at superficial quirks and features? He overlooks so much of the actual innovations...

[@twowheeler1000]

@@mminnillo1 Please no

[@davidraezer5937]

Please tell me I’m not the only one who gets all emotional and teary eyed when I hear that beautiful induction noise and engine noise at full song blitzing along on a country road rowing through that close ratio gearbox.

[@LarryChenPhoto]

Love this! Welcome to Hagerty!

[@kylewise3111]

I don't believe I've ever seen any reviews with Henry, but I hope to see more. This was quite a review and a hell of a car to start the series with.

[@blueleaf04]

My dude, may I interest you in the Carfection channel, you have a lot of Catchpole Catchup to do

[@Hagerty]

You'll be seeing many more!

[@kylewise3111]

@@blueleaf04 I've never heard of them but just subscribed, thank you!

[@mitchellsteindler]

@@kylewise3111 go find Xcar videos as well.

[@joebooth67]

@@mitchellsteindler Xcar turned into Carfection. The channel renamed itself, so all the old xcar content is still on the Carfection channel

[@CharlieDBrown]

Mr. Catchpole, what a great pleasure seeing you here (An editing criticism: the music in the intro is too loud and almost drowns out the narration)

[@triumphbonnt100]

Henry Catchpole...my mind enters his car related world every time i view one of his videos. Sign of a master communicator. Certainly one of the best of a very few. JV.

[@devanshgupta9860]

Nothing but smiles all throughout! Can't help but smile :) Thank you for this Henry and the entire team behind this

[@nna9509]

Oh my effing god ! Henry Catchpole at Hagerty??? Yes please 🙏 😍 🙌

[@uGotGot1618]

Hagerty is TAKING OVER. All you need is Chris Harris, and you will have basically all my favorite KZbin car gods

[@FenderUsa]

damn you have henry now too? hagerty killing it

[@WhatIsMeDoing]

Catchpole and Cammisa on one channel is incredible. I'd love to see Henry in more classic rally cars - maybe him and Jason on the Kimera Evo37?

[@luisk6007]

Hagerty is taking over KZbin by gathering the top car reviewers like infinity stones

[@kennedysingh3916]

Live in Jamaica. It's a car I always loves for we had one back in the 70's (Escort that is).

[@Te1ecastermaster]

I really hope this isn't a one off video. Henry is one of the best in the business right now. I hope Hagerty brings him into the fold with a series of his own.

[@mooper50]

Literally yelled ou with excitement seeing Henry on another YT channel. Congratulations on the success, well deserved! Looking forward to more exciting content!

[@CBMedia404]

Who the hell ever told this insurance company to start, and go all in on a KZbin Channel, THANK YOU.

[@andrewlee88]

thank you for bringing mr catchpole to the channel. it means a lot to many of us here.

[@muddygti]

A twin cam four pot that loves to rev really is one of the best pieces of motoring enjoyment, and the Mk 1 epitomises that fun feeling the most I think….. I’ll put one on my “ lotto win list”…

[@monunyabidness5949]

BMW 2002, Alfa Romeo 1750GTV and Datsun 510 have entered the chat. There are quite a few fun cars of that era.

[@nimamojtahedzadeh1568]

Cammisa and now Henry Catchpole… what a choice!

[@TheLRider]

The smiles say it all and perfectly understandable. What a stunning creation a Mk1 with all the years of development behind it and executed to perfection by MST. I would absolutely love one. Those roads and scenary as you say the place where it feels most at home in. The symphony of that engine. Long may you and MST prosper.

[@vaibhavxp]

I have said it before, I will say it again - Jason Camissa and Henry Catchpole are 2 of the best automotive journalists of our current era. It just fills my heart to see these 2 on Hagerty.

[@matthewschiebout7384]

Jason isn't even in the the top ten!

[@richardhoulton4016]

OMG…Henry added to Hagerty too! How much better can this channel get? Jason and Henry are probably my two favourite car journalists. Awesome!

[@tonykowalski4189]

What happens to Carfection then?

[@tonykowalski4189]

@@CromulentCorpse I've been following Henry since Evo days. When he appears on Drivetribe, he's no longer a part of Evo, when he appears in Xcar (now Carfection), he's no longer a part of Drivetribe. Of course this move raise my concern

[@markwellington1254]

Henry Catchpole was just having fun! We all want that sense of fun with what we drive which can be just about anything about any car. Hmmm, maybe this could be a great Bond car.

[@ananthkutuva3748]

Can’t wait to watch this masterpiece

[@paulaspen7880]

I can’t even tell you how much I enjoyed this! I’ve never heard of Henry before but man, what an incredible presenter he his! And the cinematography 🔥 I hope this becomes and full blown series! What a treat this was.

[@richardharrold9736]

Go and watch everything he did with Evo and Carfection! His video of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage on the Old Military Road near Balmoral is just stunning.

[@Vincent_Stevens]

Well this easily felt like Carfection to me. I guess i watched too much of their videos lol.

[@Schmitzelhaus]

I honestly didn´t even notice until i´ve read the comments! 😅👌

[@Ankur3108]

Great job in bringing Henry into the mix Hagerty. He's one of the top journalists out there. He's an automotive poet.

[@naz2468]

Clicked on the video thinking it was another Carfection vid then saw the Hagerty logo pop up, Your just out here collecting the best of the best. really nice to see Henry get the love he deserves in the comments too!

[@fredericoespinoza]

Hagerty goated

[@touavlogs]

Petrolicious was my favorite KZbin channel but they went MIA. Hagerty stepped it up. I will be waiting for more petrolicious but Hagerty is the new fav

[@RacingLoversFR]

Hagerty is now the new holy trinity for petrol head !

[@cb8143]

Henry, you are an awesome addition to the Hagerty channel. Love your passion and delivery. And the car...beautiful.

[@viranjith]

Awesome! This video makes my 4K TV and sound system worth it!

[@markthibault8579]

Awesome to see Henry on this channel. Congrats!

[@nam.justin]

Catchpole too?!?!? YES!!!

[@5tarsybarite]

Hagerty Top Gear reboot with Catchpole, Harris & Camisa

[@bpowick]

As far as I’m concerned Henry is the best in the business. This is a good get for Hagerty!

[@aadisagar96]

Henry + Hagerty = Early Christmas ❤

[@K_FI_L_Y_P_S_O]

Hagerty really knows how to scout out car journalists. This is an awesome addition!

[@Qibilii]

Your neighbours will love you with car, lovely little pocket rocket to wake up the whole block. Love it!

[@johnbrown3951]

Thank you so much for a dip into nostalgia for me. I sadly lost my Dad just over a year ago to old age but as a young man recently returned from missionary work in Nigeria he was sold the first Mk 1 Escort in the North East of Scotland and although I didn't drive that car I did have a 1.8 Si 20 years later but nearly bought the RS 2000 at that point. and drove the Escort Cosworth on the Mull of Kintyre made famous by Sir Paul and Wings. I recently sold my Mini Hatch JCW with the Bluetooth controlled Pro Exhaust that in 4th gear with the 2nd pipe open was a raucous drive but not to that extent but more bangs and pops evident. We are now the owners of an i Pace and it's early days in our ownership but to be whisked along on air suspension on heated leather and Meridian surround sound in near silence is a far cry from that car but times have to move on. If my numbers came up the new Defender 110 would be my first purchase but that car would be a very close second for sure. Thanks for making my day special but tinged with a little sadness at happier times gone past. Other cars for me Lancia Delta Integrale and the legend that is Audi Quattro.

[@obsidian....]

Love seeing Henry on here 🙏

[@yegorrudnytskiy3086]

Hagerty kinda has built a dream team!

[@BrendanEvan]

Henry + Hagerty = Happiness

[@farishanafiah8461]

Henry Catchpole on Hagerty? I totally never expect to see this at all.

[@bimmerfan729]

Catchpole on Hagerty!? Common!

[@zimcam1]

2 of my fav car guys. Good Job Hagerty. I think to keep the passion going, Henry should review some more of his past dream cars and versions of his owned cars.

[@MIKEZGAMER-g8b]

very well made video here, we appreciate it, what a magnificent mk1

[@be4tb0x]

i like how they painted the front bars of the cage black, that they nearly disappear. Great Idea.

[@kipsned]

So happy to see you have found a new home! You’re writing feels like my own thoughts at times which is probably why I enjoy it so much! Bravo and keep having fun and bringing us along

[@alexandervanwyk7669]

Thank you. Reminding me of my youth (10 years old in 1967) when Herman and Lambert Fekken, SA Rally champions and (our neighbours) always tested their Escort up our mountain road. Always flat out with the BDA engine. Then later the Chev Commando, the Kawasaki 500 two stroke etc etc.

[@RealBearFace]

Hagerty got Catchpole now? Biggest W yet. Can't wait to see what else Henry does on here

[@Skooby59]

Love to see Henry doing more stuff. Constructive criticism: have Henry’s audio volume up. If you turn up the volume to hear him more, every other sound is deafening.

[@MegaRetr]

Mr. Catchpole, what a great pleasure seeing you here

[@beartodrift5345]

This channel should be getting more views. Their making amazing videos and good content. Not all great. But a lot of good and great stuff

[@bozukbeyin]

Wonderful to see that the poet has joined the game! Sutcliffe next??

[@carmk2886]

Best car in the world, love the MST Mk1, great video Henry

[@stu2427]

Stunning. Miss mine had 2 of them used to go rallying thro the lanes of Wales. They really flowed with the roads

[@4g5y]

Wow! Henry is here! Please say we can catch you at both Hagerty & Carfection from now on!!

[@marcopulache5000]

I'm speechless... Beauty car, good driver, amazing landscapes and... A gooooood sound!!!!

[@alastairwatson3201]

Someone has to do a one on one comparison between the MST Mk 1 and the Alfaholics GTA homage! I can’t afford either but I’d love to know which is better, as an academic exercise. Somehow, I’m beginning to lean towards the MST as my dream car. Perhaps is because an Escort - not that this is an Escort, mind you - is more of a people’s car. Not $300,00 ones, of course, but you’ll know what I mean … .

[@a1oh]

Wow, cant ever get enough of Mr Catchpole! Excited to see more content on Hagerty with him.

[@stephanematis]

As an EVO reader from back in the day, Hentry being here makes me very happy.

[@grahambrown5822]

As a muscle car owner but also a huge fan of group b rally etc; I just couldn’t figure out how low power cars could make ppl fall in love. Now I know.

[@KristoffHemet]

Every time I watch a Henry Catchpole video my faith in automotive journalism is renewed. The opening monologue was absolutely beautiful.

[@ronaldroberts9556]

Fantastic review. Obvs you had a whoopie time! Am lucky to know of this car from birth, all the guys involved, all the roads you used! Gives a real feel good factor!

[@Diecastclassicist]

Henry and Steve Sutcliffe are the best in the biz these days. Please, more! I’d love to see Henry drive some Lancias.

[@OriginalgEd]

What an amazing car and video! Henry is great to watch. Thank you so much for this fantastic content

[@stevewilson8088]

Your personality matches the history and sole this car possesses. Sunday morn in New Zealand and your drive in a new classic “Escort” made me smile. Thank You 🙏

[@bluerineimb1148]

I remember back in 78 one of dad's work vehicles was a 76 1.3 escort van and me and my brother ust to take turns on driving to what ever job was doing and picking up stuff from a job dad was roofing contractor. The average drive was 20miles and I ust to drive it to the job just like he is driving here Scottish Highlands empty roads that little van was such fun to drive incredible how well it handled

[@zakarneh]

Welcome to the best car channel on KZbin! So happy to see you part of this outstanding team

[@AleksandrHalas]

I am very happy to see Henry on your channel, which means that I pay close attention to your channel and follow all new videos Huge respect from 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 to Henry Catchpole

[@seanmcneill8899]

Another 11 out of 10 review, then again I expect nothing less from Henry. Have to say man your top of the game 😎

[@jongib6096]

Catchpole + Hagerty = 👌🏼👏🏼

[@OriginalAbsolute]

They got Henry 😭😭 just hire him a film crew live stream this man. Drip of class and elegance; always a treat seeing Mr. Catchpole

[@leighb4412]

I have never seen this presenter before or watched this KZbin channel, however this is an excellent video that I rather enjoyed watching. Thank you for posting.

[@andrewthompson6893]

Just brilliant.

[@corriegillett2536]

I hadn’t subscribed to Hagerty yet, but when I saw Henry was on here, I did, really fast

[@damienpeckham2834]

This video came up as a suggestion and, I must say, I've thoroughly enjoyed it. A fan of many years of cars and bikes, this one really grabbed my attention. Sat with a cup of tea this evening, this was time very well spent.

[@12spies]

I had to do a double take, Catchpole on Hagerty? What a winning combo. I love the dedication to cinematic, long form car videos with the best writers and presenters in the biz.

[@fofoahmed5029]

UK's Best is also here! I would like to thank the recruiter for the channel presenters. Just the great ones, keep it up.

[@stephenkean4748]

Henry Catchpole, what an automotive journalist!👏 Another fantastic video from Hagerty

[@jdiluigi]

Hagerty has built up into an All Star lineup on the channel. 👏👏👏

[@monunyabidness5949]

Brilliant. I love good prose and sporty cars, so getting both is always a joy. I wish there was a deeper dive into the mechanics of the thing though, more about the suspension, the brakes, what they did with the drivetrain, and why, etc.

[@93455Driver]

Wow , Catchpole on Hagerty, that is a big name addition.

[@edjack1993]

Well, that was an absolute treat. One of my favourite car journalists.

[@michaelgravlund9194]

Wow what a ride 🤣👍. Thanks a lot. I remember the Ford Escort mkII as a child. It is still a beauty 🥰

[@animal355]

Thank you Henry, this is modern motoring art in motion, it was a great that you managed to carry out this vital review. It was meant to be...

[@bakamojojojo]

Henry? On Hagerty you say? Splendid.

[@fabiena1787]

It's nice to find Henry Catchpole here.

[@chesspiece81]

Awesome video Tall One! I have always enjoyed content you've been involved with since I first found you many years ago. Your enthusiasm for all things automotive is extremely evident on your videos.

[@scottimusgarrett15]

Welcome, Henry! Really looking forward to more from you! And, helluva great car to do as your first review! ✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@brianfernandes2382]

Having grown up in the era of the Mk 1 RS2000. It will always have a place in my ❤️ Love the review and the passion behind the build.

[@afam58]

I owned. Escort Mexico once. Incredible road holding near unbeatable on normal roads. Loved it and it loved my right foot!!😜