Description

1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth

90's Cult Classic; smashing early pre-93 Homologation 'big turbo' example showing just 57,613 miles; as good underneath as it is up top - Investment Alert!

Dating from August 1992 this superb example is an earlier car, one of those known as "the early big turbo cars" and as such, one of the 2,500 built before Jan 1993 as proper Homologation Special cars used to get FIA accreditation for the Group A competition cars in the WRC – World Rally Championship.

As such, these early cars are the most coveted, featuring an oversized Garrett T3/T04B hybrid turbo with air/water intercooler. (The aforementioned turbo is a hybrid consisting of a Garrett T04B compressor wheel combined with a Garrett T3 turbine and is also known as T34). These units displayed significant turbo lag due to the huge inertia introduced by the T34 unit and the detuned nature of their competition derived engine until 3,500rpm. From that point, the turbo wakes up the Escort RS Cosworth in no uncertain terms. The power transferred 66% to the rear axle and 34% to the front. The first 2500 also had a water injection system under the rear passenger seat although this was non-functioning and was in place solely to demonstrate water injection capability for the FIA inspectors.

The second generation, post 1993 were fitted with a Garrett T25 turbocharger, a smaller unit which reduced turbo lag and increased usability in everyday driving situations but less savage in contrast to the earlier cars. The nature of the Cosworth YBT 2.0 inline-4 engine was a dream for the after-market tuning market, the engine being highly tuneable with power outputs of over 1,000bhp achieved, but in stock form it makes 224bhp driving all four wheels via 5-speed manual transmission.

One of just 7,145 cars built between February 1992 and January 1996, this beautiful Diamond white example features opening rear quarter windows, electric windows, glass sunroof and unmarked cloth Recaro seats. Showing just 57,613 miles the car has come from a private local fast Ford collection where all the cars are of a particular high standard and cossetted - kept covered, in heated garages.

The car’s history reveals it to have covered only 331 miles in the last 14 years, no doubt as values have soared its seen less and less use with more emphasis on preservation. The file also includes invoices showing the car was subject to an engine rebuild in November 2020 at a cost of £2,955 by Stanwood Engineering Ltd of Doncaster including fitment of new 92mm pistons, APR head bolts, re-bore at 92mm, machining of the block, re-ground crank, new head gasket to achieve a 9:1 compression ratio, new big ends and long stud kit from Graham Goode at further cost of £240.

A hand-written note on file suggests the car was also gas flowed with polished ports to WRC spec with polished and ported inlet manifold casting, an uprated 120amp alternator fitted and ‘mega light’ flywheel installed with ARP bolts too.

Further invoices show purchase of new suspension bushes front and rear at a cost of £380 in May 2020, high pressure oil pump, new water pump, belt kit and ignition parts in January 2021 costing £600. Further invoices are present dating back to 2002 at 51,910 miles for parts and works carried out including an Alco 6-paddle clutch and Samco hose set in November 2003 and in March 2003 the car was treated to a £2,493 spend on a 6-piston big brake kit, lowering spring kit, 3 bar map sensor with L/8 400 chip to give it the power later seen on a dyno run in 2004 which saw a whopping 387.3bhp and 410lb ft of torque.

In addition to the invoices already mentioned, we find the V5C showing 8 previous owners to our vendor, current MOT valid until April 2022 with no advisories recorded and 9 old MOTs dating back to October 1997 and 37,077 miles with the car appearing to have been off the road in storage between 2008 and 2021.

Aching to be used and enjoyed, these Blue-Collar cult classics have continued to appreciate, this ever-so clean example, would no doubt add value to any collection with continued growth forecast.

For more information contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com