1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth Arrows F1 by Brooklyn Ford

The Escort RS Cosworth is a unique motor car and the high regard for a 'good one' in the Performance Ford market of today, which we know a little about, requires a trip back in time to the mid-1990s for some historical context. The Escort RS Cosworth was often the enthusiast’s first proper car, usually a pre-marital extravagance and bought new after a succession of rather ropey performance cars. There was, however, a snag. An inherited condition that stalled the aspirations of the many who could afford the asking price, insurance companies hated Fords with an RS badge. Bought, therefore, by underwriter-friendly older drivers for daily commutes and those cars which did survive enthusiastic drivers, whether insured or not, usually clocked up high mileages or were subject to modifications by subsequent owners. Very rarely a car was bought and kept for Sunday best and as values rose, these careful owners became custodians of valuable motor cars, none more rare than this very special motor car.

The Arrows Grand Prix International team was founded in Milton Keynes in November 1977 by Italian businessman Franco Ambrosio, Alan Rees, former racing driver Jackie Oliver, Dave Wass and Tony Southgate (the team deriving its name from the initials of their surnames) when they left the Shadow team. The team was formed and appeared on the grid for their first race at the 1978 Brazilian Grand Prix, all within three months. The following decades saw controversy and moderate success and Japanese businessman Wataru Ohashi invested in Arrows in 1990 and Jackie Oliver sold his shares in the team to Ohashi, but remained as Team Principal. The 1994 season was the most competitive showing, with several points finishes gained, including a double points finish in Germany.

Seeing a market for limited edition car with strong Japanese ties, the Arrows F1 Team commissioned Brooklyn Ford Motorsport to supply and modify a planned run of 25 cars for the Japanese market with graphics to emulate the 1995 Footwork FA16-Hart V8 driven by Taki Inoue, Morbidelli and Papis. The reprogrammed engine management boosted power to around 265bhp, up 40bhp over the standard car.

Of the planned run, just ten cars were believed to have been built and most were shipped to Japan. However, this car, #003 with its full Lux Pack of leather interior and sunroof, was first supplied new to the UK, as per the Brooklyn Ford paperwork in the detailed history file. Registered to the first of just two keepers on 29th September 1995. Car #003 gained its now famous registration number, 236 WVO, on 6th November 1996 and it remains with the car.

Extensively photographed at various shows, it featured in a magazine commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Escort RS Cosworth with a byline asking '…is this the rarest Cosworth of them all?'. Presented to auction with an unused toolkit, the original handbook folder, a bespoke scale model of the car together with Sergio Tacchini sportswear. The detailed history file includes reams of receipts, V5C and an advisory free MOT Certificate issued in July at 34,507 miles.