1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo Series 1

The Escort RS Turbo Series 1 was specifically developed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Engineering team to set new standards in 'Group N' and 'Group A' motorsport events and was quickly dubbed 'the car to beat'. Ford initially planned to build 5,000 examples, the minimum number required for Homologation in 'Group A', however a total of 8,604 were built due to increased demand. The car was greeted with huge enthusiasm and was only sold through official Rallye Sport dealers.

The much revered Series 1 cars utilised a 1,600cc CVH unit modified to suit the higher loads and the application of a turbocharger. Computerised fuel-injection and state of the art engine management (in 1986) incorporating boost control resulted in a healthy 132bhp and offered reasonably lag-free acceleration with 0-62mph, taking 8.2 seconds on the way to 128mph. It was the first front-wheel drive road car in the world to use a compact viscous-coupling design LSD (instead of a normal mechanical LSD), which greatly improved cornering and drivability.

Aesthetically, the RS Turbo was given a distinctive sporty appearance with a body-coloured front grille, bumpers and aerodynamic aids. Unusually, there was only one choice of finish - Diamond White - and the purposeful interior was trimmed in a combination of Monza and Cashmere fabrics with Recaro LS bucket seats being fitted as standard.

The car presented here is a 1985 Escort RS Turbo Series 1 Custom, which was originally registered on 1st August 1985 and came fitted with the factory-specified Custom Pack (which included electric windows, central locking, tilt/slide glass sunroof and opening rear quarter windows). Originality aplenty, it has never been restored, with its current impressive condition being a testament to diligent ownership over the years. With its original SRT32P stereo, RS 3-spoke steering wheel and rear parcel shelf (with factory speakers), plus original Motorcraft service items, all still in-situ and with only a slightly larger bore exhaust as a nod to modernity, this 'Performance Ford' is as good as you might hope. Demonstrably well maintained, stored to the highest standards and used selectively, this is most definitely one for the collector.

It's accompanied by an extensive history file, showing 11 service stamps in its original booklet, plus numerous MOT certificates (helping to corroborate its conservative 64,000 miles), old tax discs and an original Ford RS Turbo maintenance manual.

This car will appeal to a serious collector wanting an incredibly well preserved, unmolested example of a truly legendary Ford icon, exactly how the manufacturer intended and inevitably now rare.