Ford Escort MkIV RS Turbo S2

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Ford announced its all-new MkIII Escort in 1980, the new car being the first Escort model to feature front wheel drive and a transverse mounted engine.

A 'hot-hatch' version, the XR3, was available from the start and was followed by a much hotter limited edition version in 1983, the RS1600i. This only lasted in production for one season, and in 1984 was replaced by the new Escort RS Turbo.

The RS Turbo used a combination of a tuned 1.6-litre CVH fuel-injected engine with a Garrett turbo bolted on. This package worked very well and produced a healthy 132bhp, making it one of fastest Escorts, sprinting to 60 in 8 seconds on its way to a maximum of 125mph.

In 1986 the whole Escort range received a MkIV facelift with the RS Turbo gaining ABS brakes and a heated windscreen – features then unheard-of on a car of this size and price. The RS Turbo was very successful for Ford, becoming a favourite with tuners and remained in production until 1990.

First registered in Germany in November 1988, this particular left-hand drive RS Turbo S2 was acquired by the vendor's Swedish cousin in 2001 and has remained in the family ever since, spending the last 14 years in Sweden (where it was kept in a heated barn for six months of the year and used in fine weather only) before coming to the UK early last year.

The vendor states that the car is in very good, original and rust-free condition throughout and has never been repainted or restored. It has covered only 74,000km to date (46,000 miles) with an excellent service record and a large history file to warrant this total. The original grey cloth Recaro interior is also said to be in very good condition.

Mildly uprated here and there, it is said to produce around 160bhp and has recently had new Tein springs fitted all round and a new set of Toyo tyres. It also has a custom-made stainless steel exhaust and an aftermarket gearknob, steering wheel and boost gauge (although the original wheel and gearknob are included). New UK spec headlights have also just been fitted and the car has been fully serviced including a new cambelt, water pump, uprated HT leads and plugs.

The spec includes a glass sunroof but no power steering and no central locking. It retains the original Garrett turbo and the early electro mechanical ABS brake system. All the glass is also original and it even retains the original underbonnet insulation and rear parcel shelf - items which have usually gone astray by now on most cars.

Said to drive beautifully with an MOT until April 2016 and a V5C, this low-mileage LHD cracker is sure to be of interest to our continental buyers. Fast Fords from this era have become increasingly collectable of late and this unusually original example could prove a shrewd investment at the sensible guide price suggested today.