Highlights
- Low documented mileage of 71,125 miles
- Current keeper since 2002
- Four keepers from new
- Very sparing use since purchase
- Timing belt, tensioner, and water pump replaced July 2025
- Largely standard with K&N filter, dump valve, and Mongoose exhaust
- MOT to July 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
When the hot hatch wars got hotter in the late '80s, Ford pulled out the big guns. The first RS Turbo was really a homologated track car, but the 130bhp Series 2 was more focused on road use.
More powerful than a Golf GTi and with more exciting power delivery than a 205 GTI 1.9, the RS Turbo fitted firmly into the tradition of lairy blue-collar Fast Fords. It looked the part too, with spoilers, side skirts and bonnet vents.
Most have been driven into the ground or crashed through hedges, which makes this very low-mileage survivor a proper treat for 80s hot hatch fans. It has covered a shade over 71,000 miles from new and is largely factory standard. The changes are useful - there’s a dump valve, 4in Mongoose exhaust and K&N filter.
The current keeper tells us that he bought the car in 2002 and has covered just 300 miles since, preferring to dry store it to preserve the low mileage. It was last serviced in 2021 and comes to market with a long list of recent work in July 2025. That included replacing the timing belt, tensioner and water pump, plus repairs to the rear bumper and underside. The current MOT runs to July 2026 with no advisories.
The RS Turbo is one of the '80s' most exciting hot hatches, and this one looks very usable.
The vendor says:
“Great car to drive, turns more heads than modern sports cars, nice hearing the turbo wind up then dump, great sounding car with the Mongoose 4 inch exhaust.”
History and Paperwork
- Registered 13th August 1987
- Four keepers from new
- Current keeper since September 2010
- Vendor states that he acquired the car on 9th July 2002
- Only driven just over 300 miles in the last 23 years we are told
- Stored in a garage since purchase and only driven in dry conditions
- Factory handbooks and wallet
- Stamped service book as shown
- V5C in current keeper’s name
- Some spares included as shown
- Last serviced in 2021 with few miles since
- Various repairs in July 2025 as detailed below
- MOT to 2nd July 2026 with no advisories
11th July 2025 repairs:
- Resprayed rear bumper due to scuff on passenger side corner
- New timing belt, tensioner and water pump
- Stainless steel fuel pump bracket
- Chassis repair on the drivers side before rear arch
The Condition
- Classic Diamond White paintwork generally in good condition
- Recent rectification to rear bumper as detailed above
- Chassis repair on the driver's side before rear arch
- Minor marks on the front bumper as shown and touched-in areas on the bonnet
- Small dent on the driver's door reported
- Light bubbling under bonnet, in engine bay, and wheel well as shown
- Rear bumper recently resprayed due to scuff on passenger side corner
- No structural advisories on MOT
- Factory standard exterior aesthetics including five-spoke RS wheels
- Alloys in good condition with matching spare showing some marks
- Toyo tyres fitted to road wheels
- Largely factory standard grey cloth interior with Recaro front seats
- Fabric in very good condition with light creasing to the driver's side bolster
- Dashboard and centre console free from cracks says the seller
- Aftermarket radio and gear knob fitted as shown
- Speakers let into the parcel shelf
- All other components are original we are told
- Vendor reports that all features work as they should
The Mechanics
- 1,597cc CVH 132bhp turbocharged engine
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Engine starts without problems and runs smoothly, says the seller
- Largely standard car with light modifications detailed below
- No advisories on last MOT
- Few miles since last service in 2021
- Timing belt and other repairs in 2025 as detailed above and below
Modifications advised by seller:
- K&N filter
- Dump valve
- Straight-through Mongoose 4-inch exhaust
- New ignition leads
Recent work includes:
- New timing belt, tensioner, and water pump
- Stainless steel fuel pump bracket
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..
