A fast, totally unique, low-mileage Ford from the 1990s is going up for auction later this month and has the potential to sell for a record price.
The unique 1995 Escort RS Cosworth is distinguished from the 7,144 others built by Ford by its distinctive Zinc Yellow paint – the only right-hand drive example to leave the production line in this shade.
Commissioned for a director of Cosworth (the car’s engine supplier), when new it carried a six-figure price tag that will make it one of the most expensive versions of the hot hatch ever sold.
A far cry from the smooth, fast yellow Ford, this 1995 Escort RS Cosworth is a totally unique example, and is expected to sell at auction this month for more than £100,000
If there is one automotive product whose value has skyrocketed in the last decade, it is the fast Fords of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Low-volume, ultra-rare, high-performance models with the Blue Oval badge from this era have become incredibly desirable and highly collectable, so we’ve seen a few change hands for crazy prices, such as the low-mileage Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth that sold for almost £600,000 in February 2023.
The highest figure ever paid at auction for an Escort RS Cosworth like the one seen here was reached last year.
That example had travelled just 76 miles from new and was purchased for £163,125.
This unique zinc yellow Cossie, registered ‘N104 SVV’, could come very close to that record amount when it hits the block. August 24th at Iconic Auctioneers’ Silverstone Festival auction at the legendary Northamptonshire race circuit.
The auction house expects frenzied bidding, with the winner expected to fetch between £100,000 and £140,000.
If there’s more than one collector interested in adding it to their garage, there’s a good chance it could come close to that £163,000 record.
Given that the Escort RS Cosworth sold new in dealerships for £19,500, this example is on track to sell for seven times its original value.
Of the 7,145 Ford Escort RS Cosworths produced between 1992 and 1996, this is the only right-hand drive version finished in Zinc Yellow, making it a highly collectible vehicle.
It was ordered in October 1995 through Ford Special Vehicle Operations by Cosworth Engineering for the exclusive use of its then financial director, Victor Smith.
Cosworth retained the car for the next 30 or so years, making it a prized example of high-performance Ford of the 1990s.
What makes this particular car attractive is its individuality.
It was ordered in October 1995 through Ford Special Vehicle Operations by Cosworth Engineering for the exclusive use of its then financial director, Victor Smith.
At the time of delivery, this was one of the last Escort Cosworths produced, which might also make it even more attractive to enthusiasts.
Ordered in a soft yellow paint tone, it is the only right-hand drive example in this colour scheme to roll off the production line.
Cosworth continued to retain the Escort Cosworth for the next 30 years or so.
“You only have to look at its condition to see that it has clearly lived a much-loved life, remaining in excellent condition throughout, with just 29,034 miles recorded at the time of service,” explains Charles Smalley, Iconic car specialist.
‘Even the supplying dealer, E Ward (Wellingborough) Ltd, the dealer sticker and tax disc holder are still in place.
‘Open the door, tailgate or bonnet and the condition remains the same, taking you back to a time when the RS badge had real cachet, with its Raven leather Recaros, cassette player and sunroof.’
Because this example was built after 1994, it means it has a smaller turbocharger, meaning the 2.0-liter engine produces 214 horsepower (previous models produced 224 horsepower, which many argue had better balance and handling).
Last year, the highest price ever paid at auction for an Escort RS Cosworth was reached. That example had travelled just 76 miles from new and sold for £163,125.
Iconic Auctioneers, which will sell the car on August 24, estimates it could fetch between £100,000 and £140,000 when the hammer falls.
Iconic says the 1995 car has been “maintained in excellent condition” throughout its life and shows it has traveled just 29,034 miles since new.
Because this example was built after 1994, it means it has a smaller turbocharger, meaning the 2.0-litre engine produces 214bhp (previous models produced 224bhp, which many argue had better balance and handling).
“Given that it is in exceptional condition throughout and is unique in its presentation, it is arguably one of the most collectible Escorts to come to market in recent years,” Smalley added in the lot’s description.
The car has just been serviced in preparation for sale, including a timing belt and brake overhaul, and the original exhaust is available should the new owner wish to retain it.
Since Icon auctioneers expect a lot of interest in this car, there are likely to be one or two collectors who will be disappointed if (or when) bidding goes through the roof.
But fear not, because there is another Escort Cossie available who is almost as special.
It is one of the first Escort RS Cosworths built: a 1992 pre-production prototype that was lent to Jeremy Clarkson to use in 1993 as his personal model and which appeared in a 1990s episode of Top Gear.
That car currently has 82,500 miles on it and experts estimate it will sell for between £65,000 and £75,000.
The car has just been serviced in preparation for sale, including a timing belt and brake overhaul, and the original exhaust is available should the new owner wish to retain it.
Given that the Escort RS Cosworth sold new in dealerships for £19,500, this example is on track to sell for seven times its original value.
Ford built the Escort RS Cosworth to compete in Group A rallies. Incredibly, its engineers combined elements of the Sierra Cosworth into the compact Escort body to create this incredible high-performance car.
Introduced in 1992, the Escort RS Cosworth was a “homologation special car” (a road car that formed the basis of a racing machine) and its sole function was to incorporate parts that Ford planned to use in its “Group A” rally cars to ensure success in the World Rally Championship.
The company’s Special Vehicle Engineering division incorporated the workings of the Sierra Cosworth into the compact Escort body to create this incredible high-performance car.
Each hand-built example was fitted with a huge rear wing, front splitter and flared body panels, which were designed to assist the car at the high speeds it was expected to reach in rallying.
Production finally ceased in 1996.
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