1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth - 12,354 Miles

Stuart Turner, Head of Ford Motorsport in Europe, together with Walter Hayes are the people generally acknowledged as being responsible for the continuing competitive success of the Sierra Cosworth in international motorsport for most of the late 1980s, however by 1990 a new genre of rally cars was emerging. The brief now called for a smaller, lighter car to challenge the rapidly emerging competition from Japan. Indeed, Turner had cited that nearly a third of all cars entered in a previous national rally were Japanese in order to encourage the Ford decision makers in Detroit to 'sign off' the proposed Escort Cosworth rally program. They still took some robust persuading as the fifth generation models were only available in front-wheel drive and the RS Escort was going to be far removed from the production item destined for the 'masses' and worse still, production would have to be outsourced to Karmann in Germany.

Two major considerations swayed Ford's decision to go ahead - firstly, the new Escort was being labelled rather bland by the press and the range needed a 'halo/hero car' and secondly, the drivetrain for the new rally car was going to be the well proven, world-beating four-wheel drive system from the Sierra Cosworth. Using terminology familiar to the American executives on the board, Turner suggested that the new car was going to be a 'pizza' rally car; Sierra Cosworth base with an Escort bodyshell topping. A prototype was entered in a somewhat obscure rally in Spain and it won. Ford's Marketing machine quickly seized the opportunity with an advertising campaign that meant that the board had no real choice but to continue with the RS Cosworth program, a decision that, in retrospect, worked out very well

Supplied new by Gordon Ford, Colwyn Bay in November 1993, this outstanding Escort RS Cosworth 'Big Turbo' rolled off the production line finished in the rare colour combination of Radiant Red with a Polaris Grey Hexagon cloth interior. It’s had just one registered keeper, covering a warranted 12,534 miles from new and remains in exceptional 'time warp' condition throughout, a term that is often difficult to define but on this occasion we suggest that it fits perfectly. The original radio still shows the vehicle registration when switched on, the mandatory Vecta Immobiliser is still in situ and functioning correctly and the original dealer number plates remain attached.

The late John Phillips was a Blue Oval fanatic and a long time Motorsport devotee, acquiring the Escort as an early retirement present to himself and it was undoubtedly his ‘pride and joy’. It lived in its own garage from the day he bought it, never came out on wet days and was diligently maintained as and when required until his untimely passing in 2009, from which point the Escort remained interred in the same garage until recently removed to be prepared and photographed for sale.

The history file is comprehensive and includes the original grey leather document wallet, the full complement of books and manuals, its original tax disc holder, documentation relating to the ‘Options’ purchase scheme and the dealer handover sheet, plus of course various invoices, MOT Certificates and later tax discs.

In readiness for sale, the cambelt and tensioner has been renewed and an oil and filter change carried out, however with minimal use over the last 15 or so years, we recommend that minor recommissioning may be required to ensure that everything is exactly as it should be and with that in mind we welcome and encourage your early inspection to ensure that this particular RS Cosworth meets your expectations and requirements.

A rare and desirable homologation special in simply remarkable condition that we suggest will be welcome within any Blue Oval Collection or similarly perfectly at home with any Ford RS enthusiast.