CAR COLLECTION HEAVEN! VW-powered Toyota Starlet, Mustang-Powered Mk1 and WORLD’S Best Mk2 Escorts!?
First up is Ash’s KP61 Toyota Starlet, and it’s a story that could only come from the UK’s thriving grassroots scene. What started as a personal tribute—a nod to Ash’s dad who raced Starlets back in the 1980s—became a standout build with real family soul. This isn’t your average Starlet: it’s running a Volkswagen ABF 2.0-litre 16-valve engine, a choice inspired by hot rod culture in Europe, where these VW lumps were choice picks for rear-wheel-drive conversions. The Starlet now packs 220hp, which might not seem ridiculous in a modern context, but with the car’s featherweight build, it’s an absolute missile. A bespoke wide-arch kit and details inspired by the old racecars seal the look, while a fully fabricated interior, serious motorsport seats, and even a right-hand-drive conversion show just how much dedication’s gone into this project.
The episode then steers into the Ford Escort territory—both the Mk2 and the even rarer Mk1 get their turn in the spotlight. The Mk2 Escort featured in this line-up might just be one of the best in the world, bar none. Every detail has been obsessed over, from the engine bay to the flawless paint, wheels, and even down to the custom interior touches. It’s the kind of build you’d expect to see under show lights at top-level events, but built to be driven, not just displayed.
And then, as if that wasn’t wild enough, the Mk1 Escort RSR takes the idea of a classic Ford and throws a true curveball under the bonnet: it’s running a turbocharged Mustang EcoBoost engine. The swap is something you just don’t see every day, turning this vintage rally chassis into a light, angry, fully modern track weapon. It’s pure performance with a healthy disrespect for convention.
What really shines through the whole episode is the spirit of ingenuity and passion. These aren’t cars built for the sake of building; each has a narrative, a reason for being, and an owner who genuinely lives and breathes the scene. There are nods to family history, influences from multiple car cultures, and craftsmanship at a level that deserves recognition. If you’re into custom fabrication, driving fast, or just seeing what happens when old school meets new school in all the right ways, Build Masters sets the bar high from the outset.
Expect a tone that’s relaxed with an undercurrent of deep respect for the work involved. Stories like these are what keep the scene fresh—and show why the UK remains a powerhouse for creative, ambitious car builds that make a lasting impression.
