Iconic Auctioneers are renowned worldwide for offering the best Performance Fords on the market at auction and occasionally we are offered what can only be described as 'unrepeatable' cars. We have little doubt that this remarkable Escort RS Cosworth is unlikely to be matched in terms of its originality and 'as new' condition for some time to come.
Just like the Lancia Integrale and Subaru Impreza, the Escort Cosworth was a 'Group A' rally car for the road - pure and simple. It was actually underpinned by a shortened version of the Sierra RS Cosworth's platform and powered by the same 2-litre turbocharged, longitudinally-mounted, Cosworth-developed engine driving all four wheels. The car was designed and engineered in Boreham, styled by noted designer Stephen Harper and ended up being assembled by Karmann in Germany. The Escort RS Cosworth was an 'homologation special' and its only role was to incorporate parts that Ford planned to use in their rally cars to ensure success in International Rallying. That success duly followed between 1993 and 1998 in the World Rally Championship for Manufacturers, but the road cars were very rare - with just 2,500 of these very focussed motor cars being built, becoming known as 'big-turbo cars', all capable of 150mph and easily identified by the aptly named 'Whale Tail' rear spoiler.
This particular example is a stunning, UK-supplied, right-hand drive car finished in Diamond White with the desirable Lux-specification which included full leather, an electric sunroof, electric heated mirrors, heated windscreen, heated washer jets, leather steering wheel, electric windows and carpeted door bins. It has been a cherished part of the significant Collection from which it is offered and having been acquired almost 30 years ago, the car has been cosseted by both its first keeper, from whom it was purchased with just over 2,000 miles indicated and our late vendor who, it would appear, has added minimal mileage in the intervening years. We understand that it was regularly taken to shows in the 1990s, presumably by trailer and featured at an Autoglym Invitation Concours in 2009 where it sat alongside a Shelby Cobra belonging to the renowned petrol head and celebrity chef, James Martin.
The odometer currently displays a remarkable 2,221 miles, supported by the car's first two MOT Certificates from 1995 and 1996 showing 2,217 and 2,218 miles respectively, providing evidence of how little the car has been used. In between its trailered outings, it has been part of the family living in our vendor's house in recent times.
Given the lack of use in recent years, it has been decided to bring the car to sale following a thorough pre-auction preparation by the respected Tremona Garage of Southampton. The car will arrive at the NEC in a 'ready to drive' condition, although it won't be put through an MOT (it's a bit academic considering it's only covered three miles since the last one) and given that it doesn't currently sit on the DVLA system and may well become part of another Collection where daily use is not a factor.
Once an integral part of one man's Collection of all the very best that Ford had to offer, we are sure that this 'as new' Escort RS Cosworth will find another home where it is equally treasured.
