1983 Ford Escort Mk3 RS1600i

Since its first appearance in 1971 (on the Mk1 Escort), 'RS', for 'Rally Sport' has been associated with Ford's most performance orientated models.

One of the most exciting models in the Escort Mk3 range was the XR3 (later XR3i), a high-performance derivative powered by a tuned version of the new 1.6-litre CVH overhead-camshaft engine. It was the XR3 that provided the basis for the fuel-injected RS1600i, which was one of the first designs developed by Ford's newly instigated Special Vehicle Engineering department (SVE).

The Ford Escort RS1600i was built purely to meet 'Group A' homologation regulations. The RS1600i was based on the XR3 but featured fuel-injection - several months before that car - and more body addenda to differentiate itself from the series production car it was based upon.

On offer here is a UK-supplied right-hand drive RS1600i finished in Strato Silver and was first registered in May 1983. Our private vendor bought the car in 2020 and since his purchase it has been the subject of a comprehensive restoration with the whole car stripped back to a bare shell before being repainted inside and out. Almost every component was either refurbished, rebuilt, repainted, or replaced. Many NOS parts were sourced and when replacements were unavailable, original items were reconditioned to an as-new finish.

Mechanically, the car was treated to a rebuild of the engine and gearbox and the underside was also refreshed with the addition of new shocks and a Quicksilver stainless exhaust. The vendor informs us he’s spent around £50,000 on parts alone, even before taking his time working on the car (he did 80% of the work) into account.

The accompanying history file contains an original Ford document wallet with handbooks, an original RS1600i sales brochure, a raft of MOT Certificates and invoices dating right back to 1983 and the V5C showing eight former keepers. The mileage, at the time of cataloguing, was just over 105,000 which is pretty academic when you think of the work this car has recently enjoyed.

In summary, this is one of the best examples we have seen and it would sit well in any serious Ford Collection. When you consider the recent investment, this fabulous RS1600i appears to offer excellent value for money.