ST170-Powered Escort Van: How a 250bhp Classic Became Car of the Year

A Labour of Love: The 250bhp ST170-Powered Escort Van

This ballistic 250bhp ST170-powered Escort Van represents a project years in the making, a true testament to perseverance in the classic car scene. Recently crowned Classic Ford Magazine's Car of the Year, this exceptional build will be on display at the Classic Ford Show this May, offering enthusiasts a chance to see this remarkable machine up close.

Unfinished Business: The Project's Origins

For owner Wayne Powell, building this project was about tying up a loose end from his youth. A lifelong Ford enthusiast, Wayne had previously owned a Mk2 Escort van when he was 18, starting a 2-litre Pinto conversion but selling it before completion—a decision he later regretted. "When I was 18, I had one and started fitting a 2-litre Pinto in it, but stupidly sold it before finishing it," Wayne explains. This early experience planted the seed for what would become his ultimate project car.

Wayne's Ford credentials run deep, having owned numerous classic models throughout his younger years including Mk1 Escorts, Anglias, Mk3 and Mk4 Escorts (including vans), Orions, and Sierras. Notably, he has owned his three-door Cosworth for nearly two decades. Despite this Ford pedigree, Wayne took an approximately 20-year break from the classic Ford scene, exploring the world of modified Vauxhalls before the call of the blue oval proved too strong to resist.

Returning to Ford Roots

When this particular van came up for sale in December 2021, Wayne saw an opportunity to settle an old score. "I've always had a soft spot for vans generally, there's something about them and I just love the look of a Mk2 van," he confirms. The van initially seemed like the perfect starting point—an Australian import shell that retained its original sills, arches, and rear panel. It had been previously built in 2019, resprayed, and fitted with an ST170 engine on throttle bodies.

However, appearances can be deceiving. By the time Wayne acquired the van, it had passed through several owners and showed significant wear. "It looked nice from far, but was far from good," he reveals. "There was rust the length of both roof gutters with dents and damage on each and every panel." Undeterred, Wayne embarked on a comprehensive restoration, nearly taking the vehicle back to bare metal due to his detail-obsessed approach.

The body received a full rebuild and was repainted in Ford Nitrous Blue—the same colour found on the modern Mk3 Focus RS. The worn interior seats were replaced with Recaros, and the van was built around 7.5×13 RS-style wheels, requiring the axle to be narrowed by 40mm on each side to accommodate them. A friend with professional painting experience at a Lexus dealership applied the finish to an exceptionally high standard.

Mechanical Challenges and Solutions

Despite the cosmetic improvements, the van's mechanical issues soon became apparent. After getting it back on the road for summer 2022, Wayne found himself repeatedly stranded roadside. Following the fifth breakdown, he made the decision to pull the engine and start afresh. "It all just seemed all wrong," he recalls. "The mechanicals were nothing but problems and it was always broken down, slow and rubbish."

Only the front coil-overs and radiator were retained from the original setup. Wayne stuck with the ST170 engine concept, noting its affordability, availability, and the fact that Retro Ford conversion parts were already fitted. Being an experienced mechanic, Wayne began building a new engine himself with an ambitious specification, though time constraints and machining issues eventually led him to hand the project over to Nick Watling at Automotive Machine Services.

High-Performance Engine Build

The rebuilt engine features a 12.5:1 compression bottom end with forged pistons and steel rods that Wayne initially assembled, combined with a specially-developed cylinder head combination created by Nick Watling. The engine breathes through substantial 50mm throttle bodies and is mated to a Quaife Type-9 gearbox with an appropriate clutch. A Gripper differential handles power delivery to the rear wheels, though this setup required refinement.

"The first gearbox had a long first gear and it was horrible, so that's been changed," Wayne explains. "And the LSD has been replaced twice, as first I tried another but that made the car push on too much, so I bought a Gripper diff that was custom built to my specification." The braking system also received attention, with the original four-pot brakes replaced by Hi-Spec six-piston units sourced from Burton Power after the former proved insufficient.

Interior and Final Touches

The cabin received equally thorough attention, with genuine RS2000 Recaros retrimmed alongside new door cards and carpet. The final exterior touch came with a switch to custom 8×13 Image split-rims that perfectly fill the arches. The result is a van that exceeds Wayne's expectations. "Apart from the clutch, it drives unbelievably well," he reports. "It's so nice, I would be happy to use it as a daily driver, even with the mental engine."

Although the van reportedly has potential to run 11-second quarter miles at Santa Pod, Wayne doesn't pursue drag racing. Instead, he enjoys driving it enthusiastically once properly warmed up. Future plans are minimal, focusing mainly on retro-fitting modern but period-looking gauges into the instrument cluster for accurate speedometer and tachometer readings.

A Project Completed

After an extensive rebuild that touched nearly every aspect of the vehicle, Wayne Powell has successfully ticked the Mk2 Escort van box that had remained unfinished since his youth. This 250bhp ST170-powered creation stands as a testament to what can be achieved with determination, skill, and a clear vision. Visitors to the Classic Ford Show this May will have the opportunity to appreciate this award-winning build firsthand—a fitting showcase for a project that perfectly blends classic styling with modern performance.

Words: Simon Holmes. Photos: Adrian Brannan.