1990 Ford Escort MK4 RS Turbo

Announced in 1986 along with the introduction with the Mk4 Escort, the next generation Escort RS Turbo (more commonly known as the Series 2) hit the showrooms later that year. Some say the car is a more watered down version of the more motorsport orientated Series 1 RS Turbo and call it just an XR3i with a turbo. However this isn't a fair comment as the car was aimed at a wider customer base and in truth, was a substantially re-developed and improved version of the original car. Whereas the Series 1 was available in any colour you desired - as long as it was Diamond White! - the Series 2 came in four colours. These were Rosso Red, Diamond White, Black and metallic Mercury Grey. The Series 2 also featured ABS brakes, bonnet vents, unique 15 inch 'dog leg' alloy wheels and a more subtle body kit. The engine was still the same 1600 CVH unit, producing 132bhp and a top speed of 128mph. It was one of the genuine hot hatches of its time.

You could easily be forgiven for thinking that this car had just been built, such is the quality of the restoration and incredible attention to detail. We are informed by the vendor that this car was the subject of a nut and bolt restoration which took an amazing seven years to complete and cost in excess of £25,000. The quality of the paintwork can only be described as flawless with superb panel gaps that suggest the structure is both straight and taut with a mirror like finish to the glacier white paintwork; it's as beautiful underneath as it is on top to.

Obviously this cars 'piece de resistance' is it's incredible engine. We are informed that the cost of the engine rebuild alone came to just under £9000; specification includes forged pistons and steel rods, turbo techniques stage 2 hybrid turbo - please refer to Silverstone Auctions for full engine specification. On the move, this engine has something of a Jekyll and Hyde personality, with a light clutch mated to a slick 5 speed gearbox it's very easy to drive in modern everyday traffic. Conversely, show this car an open road and it will unleash its fury and shame many performance cars of today.

Handling is reported to be superb, steering is light yet informative at speed, while grip levels are communicated beautifully through those hip hugging Recaro seats. Should you so wish, you can exploit this cars performance both off the line and out of corners with absolute confidence. Likewise, to harness all this power, the braking system has also been uprated with high spec 4 pot brake callipers and performance discs fitted to the front and a Cosworth rear disc conversion to the rear with fitted adjustable brake bias. The OZ performance alloys are shod with new Toyo sticky R888 Proxes all round and offer incredible traction to this car.

Cars are often advertised as having a wealth of paperwork with them that in reality turns out to be a few MoTs; this car has two ring binders the size of the Old Testament documenting the time, effort and money that has been spent on this incredible car. Sold with a new MoT, this car is ready to be driven and enjoyed or used as a show car in equal measure. Either way, try replicating this for the same money ...!