• Last of the RS Escorts

• Enthusiast owned

• Large history file

• Top notch inside & out

First introduced in 1967, the Ford Escort needs little introduction. This Escort however is a Mark 6 variant, made between 1995 and 2002 and was the last in the Escort line to carry the now famous RS ( Rally Sport )  badge.

Featuring the 2.0l double overhead camshaft engine which produced approximately 150 bhp when new, it was certainly no slouch and competed well in the ‘90s hot hatchback race.

First registered on the 14th of June 1996 by original supplying dealers Grays of Guildford, indeed this car still carries one of their garage stickers on inside the rear window.

Reading the service book, most of the RS’s mileage seems to have been done in the first 10 years on the road ie 85,000 miles. Thereafter, it was possibly off the road in storage until re-emerging with a service stamp in 2018 at 88,000 miles. 

Since then, it has limited use having only covered 10,000 miles during the last 3 years, primarily to classic car shows and runs. Currently the pride & joy of the vendor and only purchased in August 2020 after a long search for the right car, it’s only up for sale because of an imminent house purchase.

There is a current V5c in the vendors name and the car is Mot’s until June 2022. There is a letter from the Ford RS Owners Club confirming registration etc, a history file containing many receipts for parts & servicing over the years, the owner’s manuals and service book.

There are also a number of original Ford RS sales brochures and leaflets relating to the Escort RS as well as other RS related literature & a Haynes workshop manual.

As you’ll see from the photo’s, the interior is in an exceptional condition and would appear to be standard. The velour covered seats are unmarked, with only the drivers bolster showing any signs of creasing. Door cards are in excellent condition all round as are the floor carpets.

Both the dash & centre console show very little signs of wear and could almost be described as unmarked. It’s also fitted inside with an optional 6 cd player and passengers’ airbag. The factory fitted sunroof opens as it should in both tilt & slide positions, and the roof lining is exceptional.

This Escort RS has benefitted from a full professional re-spray in recent years and it’s hard to find a blemish. The wheels have been recently re-furbished and the knowledgeable ones amongst you will notice that they are Ford Focus ST170 items. 5 original alloys are included in the sale, but we’re sure you’ll agree that the current ones on the car finish it off very nicely.

Overall, the exterior is exceptional for a car of this year and would appear to be very sound throughout.

Driven to the photoshoot, the RS started well with the engine sounding very quiet with no unusual noises. It would appear to have been regularly serviced by all previous owners who have certainly looked after this motor. It’s had a possesses a recently upgraded ECU chip in the form of a Collins Superchip which is programmed to improve drivability and combined with a Magnex exhaust, certainly seems to make the engine sound and run crisply.

It changes up and down through the gearbox smoothly and despite going over a couple of speed bumps, there were no untoward sounds from the suspension or brakes.

Well, this is the last in a long line of RS badged Escorts with an exceptional competition history through their reign. This one’s bright red & is certainly a head turner wherever it goes, a drivers car if ever there was one and of course gaining in popularity as we speak.

One to drive , enjoy , look after and ownership will pay dividends should you wish to sell in the future, they’re not making any more !