Derived from the contemporary XR3i, the ‘Series 2’ RS Turbo took the template set by its homologation-special predecessor and adjusted it to better suit a purely road-focused car, addressing criticisms and taming the wilder aspects of the first Escort RS Turbo to create a more sorted everyday performance machine. 

The S2 is based on the revised version of the mk3 Escort hatchback (considered by some as ‘mk.4’ rather than a facelift) with a matured design featuring slightly softer, more refined surface treatments. 

The 1.6 CVH engine received water cooling for its turbocharger, along with better Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection and a revised engine management system, while the transmission features shorter gearing, a larger clutch and minor improvements to the gearbox over the S1. 

Keeping the 132 bhp and 133 lb.ft under control is a new, less snappy limited-slip differential on its front axle along with much-needed larger ABS brakes (front discs, rear drums), plus stiffer springs with XR3i dampers in a MacPherson strut arrangement at both axles.

The result is a stronger, more economical and yet more stable take on the ‘80s Fast Ford recipe that delighted boy racers for years. More accessible than a Sierra Cosworth but still boasting the immortal ‘RS’ nomenclature, this hot hatch will have been the gateway drug for many an adrenaline addict in its day.

This matching-numbers 1986 RS Turbo is a left-hand-drive example imported by the seller early this year from the south of France. Information about the number of previous owners in France is still being gathered at this time.

The factory non-sunroof car shows just 25,466 km on the five-digit odometer and features cherry-picked updates from later model years, such as the 1990-spec front bumper and rear spoiler, plus a 1988-spec interior with Recaro seats.

In recent times the engine has been professionally rebuilt and the car’s underside has been made to look decades younger, with a €6000 bill to prove it. It is thus no surprise that the Escort has sailed through a recent MOT test with no advisories.

The car comes with enough history to cover the important parts of its life, albeit not completely so. Receipts for the work done to keep it in top shape – such as the engine rebuild – are included, along with the current, recently obtained MOT certificate.

The equivalent annual certificates from its time in France reveal the work that was needed to get the Escort into the shape it is now.

This RS Turbo has recently been repainted to keep its Mercury Grey looking otherworldly, after which all the right stickers for a 1986 car were given pride of place once more. 

As mentioned, the bumper and spoiler have been replaced with 1990-spec pieces, while rare OEM Ford ‘RS’ mud flaps sit behind the freshly reshod wheels/tyres and the headlights feature tinted indicator lenses. 

Being a Europe-spec car, it also features pop-out rear windows – something not offered in the UK – which should go some way to compensate for the lack of sunroof if greater ventilation is desired.

The bodywork is straight and true all around and the renewed paintwork presents immaculately with no real dents or scratches to be found save for some chipping along the inner lip of the boot aperture.

With its sports suspension and meaty exhaust tailpipe, it’s a clean Escort with just the right amount of attitude.

Inside, you will find a desirable set of fabric Recaro front seats as part of a 1988-spec update of the cabin. All four seats have very slightly loose-fitting upholstery on the main squab where occupants’ backsides land on it, but are totally undamaged and show very little wear at all.

A retro-look aftermarket head unit has been fitted at some stage in the car’s life, but the rest of the interior is OEM and very tidy overall. Detail issues include the headlining suffering apparent heat damage near the large rear window, as well as a mysterious hole in the top of the dashboard believed to be for a previously-fitted switch.

On the doors, there is no wear on the arm rests, but there is surface fading on both grab handles. All told, it’s an honest interior that has survived very well.

 
While this example hasn’t fallen prey to the boy racers of the ‘80s and ‘90s like many a hot Escort, it does feature a handful of subtle, tastefully selected upgrades.

It sits just a shade lower on uprated suspension for a more aggressive but still practical stance, while the recently rebuilt engine features better boost and coolant hoses, plus a fan-blown intercooler and new radiator.

A stainless steel exhaust gives the soundtrack a bit more oomph but the seller qualifies that it’s “not massively loud,” so you shouldn’t anger the neighbours like the pop ‘n’ bang-mapped Fiestas out there do.

This top-spec Escort is claimed to run and drive superbly well overall, having only recently been overhauled and refreshed where needed.

As the original rally homologation specials reach above £50,000, a Series 2 RS Turbo with its more refined design and engineering touches now looks like an almighty bargain by comparison. 

What it loses in motorsport kudos, it claims back in real-world usability, so once you’ve acclimatised to its left-hand-drive layout, this remarkably tidy and considerately tweaked example will make you the envy of every Gary in town as you rumble along reliving a past era never to be repeated.