Anyone who was into their cars in the 90s would have remembered the Sierra Cosworth, the car many young impressionable boy or girl racers aspired to own. That was until 1992, when the iconic Escort Cosworth was released.
The Escort Cosworth was a rally homologation version based on the fifth-generation Ford Escort to enable it to qualify as a Group A world Rally car. Being a homologation car meant production numbers were low and from 1992-1996, the Specialist Vehicle Engineering Group (SVE) produced just 7,145 examples. Out of those 7,145, it is the early ones which are the more desirable, with a reported number of 2,500; these early models are known as the ‘Big Turbo Homologation cars’, just like the one we present to you today.
This stunning example has covered just 8,459 miles from new, and it really is in showroom condition inside, outside and underside. With just two previous keepers, the car has spent several years in the famous BonkeRS Collection, amongst some of the most desirable RS models in the world. Our vendor purchased it in 2018 and moved it into his private collection, where it has been well cared for, keeping it in the immaculate condition it is accustomed to. Now is the time for the car to leave the collection and let another die-hard enthusiast take over the ownership of this true 90s icon.front.jpg440.84 KB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
V5 is present
Supplied by Hendy Ford, Southampton
Registered 19th December 1992
Two previous keepers
Two sets of keys
There will be a full MOT carried out before the auction ends
Was once part of the BonkeRS Collection
Owners handbooks present
Service book with ten stamps
Other invoices show service work carried out on:
31st July 2017, oil, filters, timing belt, tensioners, spark plugs at 8,408 miles
Inside the Escort Cosworth is perfect. Being a Lux model, it comes with some nice extras, which include a heated windscreen (not that you will be leaving it out in the frost), heated washer jets, three-spoke leather steering wheel, electric and heated door mirrors, rear centre armrest, rear head restraints, electric windows, manual tilt/slide sunroof and carpeted door bins.
The Raven leather Recaro seats are in excellent condition; there is a minuscule amount of colour wear on the driver's bolster, which the vendor could have easily covered with one of the several dyes available. But, instead, he wanted to show it as it was and hide nothing. The door cards are excellent, as is the rear seat, which doesn't look like it's ever been sat in.
The three-spoke leather steering wheel is excellent and shows no signs of wear. As you can imagine, the dashboard is free from any damage, and the instruments are working correctly, with the odometer displaying a reading of 8,459 miles. The factory radio cassette player is in place, along with the CD mounted just beneath.
The headlining is perfect with no issues, and the sunroof opens and closes correctly. There is a set of factory mats fitted, which are excellent, and the main carpet beneath is also superb. Inside the boot are the unused spare wheel and the extremely rare water injection kit, which has never been fitted and was often removed by dealers to avoid confusion.
Finished in the stunning Radiant Red, there's not any other colour which stands out as much as this with its deep wet gloss look. Looking around the car, it is quite clear the Escort Cosworth is in as near-perfect condition as you could get, with no dings or dents. The panels align as expected, and the paintwork has no blemishes. The lights are all excellent; there was a small amount of condensation in the passenger headlight caused by it being such a cold day, and the engine had been running when we photographed it.
The windows are free from any scratches and have the original Hendy Ford dealer and keycode radio decals in place. The seals and trims are all excellent, with no signs of age, including the sunroof seal.
Fitted with the genuine Ford RS 8 x 16” five soft-spoke alloy wheels, manufactured by Ronal, these are in excellent condition with no damage or corrosion. The tyres are Pirelli P Zero Asimmetrico, which the car would have left the factory with, and were specially developed for the Escort Cosworth. These have a good amount of tread remaining.
At the heart of this stunning 1992 Ford Escort Cosworth is the world-famous, hand-built YBT engine, easily identifiable by the blue cam cover and well-known for being so tunable. The Escort has an excellent service history even though so few miles have been covered. There have been regular services and two cam belt changes, with the last one in 2017 at approximately 8,300 miles.
The car fires up as you would expect, with no issues reported; the drive is as it should be and pretty much like new with such low mileage. The brakes are also working as they should, bringing the car to a halt in a straight line.
The underside of the car is stunning, just like the rest. It is pretty much like new with minimal signs of use. Spots of paint on items such as the anti-roll bar, drive shafts, and springs applied at the factory are clear to see. The subframes and wishbones all look factory fresh, along with the differential and gearbox.
Opportunities like these don’t come along very often, and when they do, it will be a dream come true for the lucky buyer to own such an iconic low-ownership and ultra-low mileage car in superb condition.
To find an early Big Turbo Escort Cosworth in such immaculate condition is virtually unheard of, making this a car which will generate a tremendous amount of interest worldwide.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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