1994 Ford Escort RS Cosworth

The Escort RS Cosworth was launched in 1992 as a true 'homologation special' where its sole purpose was to incorporate parts that Ford planned to use in their rally cars to ensure success in International Rallying. The first 2,500 cars, the homologation special examples, were built up to May 1994 and notoriously suffered from turbo-lag, but the next 4,500 were improved, largely thanks to their smaller Garrett T25 Turbo.

Two models were available, the Club-spec standard car and the Lux version. Power was increased by over 10% from the Sierra RS Cosworth, now making 227bhp, with performance unsurprisingly improved. In 1995, the RS Cosworth was treated to a mild facelift, receiving a new honeycomb grille, restyled bumpers, a more attractive fascia, and revised alloy wheels. Manufacture continued until early 1996 when emissions regulations forced it out of production. Like pretty much every RS Ford, it was a classic from the moment it arrived on the market.

Offered here is a fully built RS Cosworth professionally constructed in the late ‘90s using a trimmed ’94 Cosworth shell supplied by an RS specialist then completed using genuine parts and subsequently correctly registered with the DVLA on a 'Q Plate' in 2000. At the time, parts were readily available and relatively inexpensive therefore it made good economical sense to build up this RS sourcing genuine parts from regarded specialists.

The engine was built using a new ‘thick wall’ 4x4 block and incorporated some sensible upgrades to slightly increase the power while ensuring reliability. These updates included green injectors, new T34 turbo, -34 actuator, competition breather, Group A dump-valve, uprated fuel pump and ECU finished off with a custom performance exhaust made in stainless steel by DOME Motorsport. The shell was finished in Repsol livery and finished off with a set of genuine OZ magnesium 18" Group ‘A’ wheels.

Our vendor has been the single owner since the build and has covered just over 80,000 enjoyable miles in the old RS; only a change of circumstance makes this Fast Ford available for another enthusiast. Accompanying the RS is a history file including receipts for many parts including the shell and a current V5C showing the car correctly registered on a 'Q' registration in 2000 with zero previous keepers.

Nowadays the Escort Cosworth is becoming a highly desirable collectors car and here is an example that can be purchased at an attractive price point and instantly enjoyed, a real head-turner that guarantees to attract all the right attention at any motoring event.