1996 Ford RS Escort Cosworth

The Escort RS Cosworth is a unique motorcar 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, shortened by many to Cossie, 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. Some, like our vendor, a long-standing member of the RS Owners Club, acknowledge that these cars also need to be driven and enjoyed as intended. Having recently clicked over into his 70s, and to help fund his passion for restoring older RS Fords, this car is now regretfully offered to auction after 27-years. The original radio and a set of five-spoke alloys, with centre caps, are also included in the sale.

Back in the day, our vendor had a reputation at his local Ford dealership for such high standards that he was invited to inspect his new Escort RS Cosworth straight off the lorry. Once satisfied, he removed the factory delivery stickers from the car, which no new owner ever sees, and with incredible foresight for a future collector market that appreciated such things, retained them in the file. Supplied in Diamond White with black leather, the car was registered on 27th February 1996 to our vendor on the first of two private registrations, the second of which has just been taken off, and the age related N851 WUP has been newly-issued to the car. The bulk of the mileage was accrued in fair-weather motoring during the first decade of ownership, and the following years saw the car regularly exercised over short distances, which accounts for the incremental mileage increases in the MOT history. With the facilities and 50-years of experience maintaining his Ford collection to an exacting standard, our vendor would change the oil and attend to any minor maintenance himself after virtually every journey. The recent advisory-free MOT Certificate is valid until 29th June 2024.

The history file not only includes the aforementioned factory delivery stickers but, incredibly, the car itself still bares rarely-seen labels as evidenced in the photographs. Supplied to auction with just 17,366 miles at the time of cataloguing, this car is one of the few remaining Escort RS Cosworths to be offered directly from sole ownership from new.