Highlights
- Extensively restored and recommissioned over the past 2 years
- Since July 2024 over £4,000 of invoices with Ford Parts R Us
- Work included servicing, new cambelt, metering head and gearbox rebuild
- Original floor pans and sills retained
- Recently featured in Ford Magazine video review
- Fully rebuilt gearbox and mechanical systems
- Repainted in original Caspian Blue colour
- Now MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt
NOTE: Marked as Category C insurance loss in 1998
The Appeal
The RS1600i returned a classic nameplate to enable Ford to homologate the Escort for racing. Despite being sandwiched between the XR3 and XR3i, it was hugely popular with Ford selling nearly double the planned 5,000. 2,600 reached UK, making these cars, with their evocative nameplate, the rarest of modern Ford hot hatches.
The RS1600i got more power than the XR3i thanks to higher compression and a host of other detail modifications. Arguably, it looks better too thanks to purposeful spoilers and delightful decals. Good, standard and well kept survivors like this one are hugely desirable.
This car was extensively restored across the bodywork, paintwork, interior and mechanicals over the last two years. Recent work by specialist GS Escorts included servicing, attention to the rear suspension, brake overhaul, new stainless steel exhaust and a replacement fuel tank. Since July 2024 alone more than £4,000 has been invested with Ford Parts R Us including new cambelt, gearbox rebuild, new metering head, injectors, distributor, camshaft lifters and intake hose.
Finished in correct Caspian Blue with grey crush velour interior, it is a really good example that is said to run and drive equally well. This car is now usefully MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt. However, to give buyers transparency it was last MOT’d in February 2024 with no advisories. It has been barely used since.
Finished in correct Caspian Blue with grey crush velour interior, it is a really good example that is said to run and drive equally well. This car is now usefully MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt. However, to give buyers transparency it was last MOT’d in February 2024 with no advisories. It has been barely used since.
The RS1600i is a proper homologated Ford and this one looks fantastic.
History and Paperwork
- Marked as Category C insurance loss in 1998
- First registered 18th May 1983
- Current keeper since October 2023
- Restored by previous keeper with summary above and below
- First registered in 1983 with registration HTA136Y
- Buyers should recall that values of these cars in 1998 was very low
- Extensive restoration and recommissioning carried out over the past 2 years
- Recently serviced at specialist GS Escort in Runcorn summarised below
- Recently featured in video review by Ford Magazine
- Last MOT expired 18th February 2025 with no advisories
- Car is eligible for Historic Vehicle status based on first registration
- We are told there are various invoices for restoration and from Ford Parts R Us
- Showing 33,000 miles on a five digit odometer so therefore cannot be verified
Restoration work summarised:
- Full bodywork renovation
- Resprayed in original Caspian Blue
- Retrimmed interior in correct materials
- Mechanical overhaul
- Gearbox rebuild
- Suspension renewed
- New tyres
- Attention to the brakes
Recent work by GS Escorts:
- Full service
- New rear suspension
- Fuel tank replaced
- Brakes overhauled
- Stainless steel exhaust fitted
Recent maintenance by Ford Parts R Us:
8/5/25: invoice total £1,307
8/5/25: invoice total £1,307
- Full check over vehicle as instructed by customer
- Supply and fit new air intake hose
- Supply and fit new camshaft and lifters
- Supply and fit new cambelt and tensioner
- Rocker cover gasket
- Supply new spark plugs
- Supply and fit steering steering column and outer tube
- New top and bottom bearings for steering column
- Oil and filter change
21/11/24: invoice total £1,314
- Remove gearbox due to light wining noise
- Gearbox fully rebuilt and refitted
- Supply and fit new 200mm 3 piece clutch kit
- Gearbox oil
- Full road test of vehicle
19/7/24: invoice total £1,562
- Supply and fit full recon metering head and lower body due to poor fueling issue
- Supply and fit 4x new injectors
- Supply and fit missing plastic trims in boot of car
- Supply and fit new distributor and ht lead set
- Wire up spot lights and foglights due to in-op
- Supply and fit 2 x front shocks
The Condition
- Factory standard car restored recently to a high standard as shown
- Finished in correct Caspian Blue metallic with factory decals as shown
- Paintwork and decals in very good condition as can be checked in photos
- Bodywork presents well across arches, sills and panel edges
- Underside in good order with no advisories on last MOT
- Vendor confirms there is no structural damage to the car
- RS seven spoke 15in alloys with matching spare in good order with light marks
- Recently fitted with Pirelli tyres
- Exterior fittings including spoilers, trim and lights in good condition
- Original floor pans and sills retained and other original panels retained
- Grey cloth interior has been retrimmed with no sagging, marks or tears
- Fitted with glass sunroof, RS wheel and original factory Ford radio cassette
The Mechanics
- 1,597cc CVH 4cyl 8V 115bhp fuel injected engine
- 5spd manual gearbox which has been rebuilt
- Engine is said to run very well after recent work by GS Escorts
- Vendor advises that engine requires tappet adjustment and tuning
- Mechanicals overhauled within last two years with summary above and below
- No reported running or driving issues
- Last MOT in February 2024 contained no advisories
- Over £4,000 invested since July 2024 with Ford Parts R Us as summarised above
Summary of restoration work within last two years:
- Full service
- Rebuilt gearbox
- Cambelt changed
- New rear suspension fitted
- Complete brake overhaul
- New stainless steel exhaust system
- New fuel tank
- New suspension components throughout
- Metering head installed
- Replacement fuel injectors fitted
- New steering column installed
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