1986 FORD ESCORT RS TURBO

This Ford Escort RS Turbo is one of the definitive 1980s ‘everyman’ performance icons, and this car benefits from a recent restoration, meaning it is undoubtedly one of the best examples available. Under the bonnet is a 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four, producing 130bhp, driven through a five-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential. The odometer shows 86,156 miles from new.

First registered in January 1986, this RS Turbo has just three previous registered keepers on the log book, with the fourth private owner acquiring it in April 2013. He part-exchanged the car against something even more exciting, so it is now offered for sale by the trade.

The bodywork and paint is reported to be in excellent condition, following a documented bare-metal restoration and respray. There are a few very minor marks from where the car has been used sparingly on the road since its refurbishment, but in general this is a very well-presented RS Turbo model. The Diamond White paint is embellished with the correct decals along the flanks and on the boot lid, and it rides on the original seven-spoke RS alloy wheels, which are free of kerbing damage.

While the exterior has been restored, the interior has been left in its impressive original condition. The Recaro seats remain in good condition after 34 years, with the dark grey bolsters showing only modest wear and creasing. The lighter grey centre panels are accented by blue edging, which complements the bodywork accents, and the same trim appears on the door cards. There are some general scuffs and marks on the fabric and carpets, but the originality in the cabin cannot be repeated - it even retains the Ford-branded stereo and cassette head unit. There are no warning lights on the dashboard, and all the switchgear works as it should.

Its last scheduled maintenance was carried out by Bell Sport and Classic in June 2020, when it received a full service with some additional items attended to, at a cost of around £2,200. The excellent condition of the engine bay is another indicator of the significant investment in this car’s cosmetic and mechanical order through its restoration.

The most recent MOT test was on 12 November 2019 at 86,015 miles, when it achieved a first-time pass with no advisories whatsoever. The wheels are shod in matching 195/50 R15 Toyo Proxes tyres on all four corners, which are date-coded to 2016 and remain in good condition with 4-5mm of tread remaining.

Accompanying the car is the original Ford book pack, two files of various maintenance and servicing receipts, numerous old MOT certificates, and photo documentation of the bare-metal restoration. A full-size spare wheel, jack and wheel brace are also present.

This Ford Escort RS Turbo is a fantastic throwback to the 1980s, presenting in restored condition that in many respects makes the car as good as new. While it retains its original interior, now exhibiting a smart patina, the mechanicals and body have been refreshed, meaning this exciting and rare performance car is ready to delight its next owner for many more miles.

All UK cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.