1992 | Ford Escort RS Cosworth

Lot details

Year: 1992
Make: Ford
Model: Escort Cosworth Lux
Registration: K726 PLE
Chassis No: W F 0 B X X G K A B N E 9 3 4 0 4
Engine No: NE93404
Mileage: 17,596
•: Big turbo, LUX model
•: Low mileage and one former owner
•: Fully restored and engine rebuilt

The Ford Escort RS Cosworth was released in 1992 just as the Sierra Sapphire 4X4 Cosworth production was ending. The radical styling that included flared arches and the unmissable whale tail rear spoiler, displayed only a small part of the potential however, that potential was fulfilled by the fitment of the Ford power unit that lay under the bonnet boosted by a turbo charger. Production commenced in February 1992 with the first 2,500 being homologation specials. The Cosworth was entered into the World Rally Championship the following year, enjoying outstanding success in the hands of works drivers Francois Delecour and Miki Biasion. Although the RS Cosworth resembled the Escort road car, it was in fact based on a shortened Sierra 4x4 floor pan and used the latter's running gear. This meant that, unlike the mainstream Mk. V Escort, the RS Cosworth mounted its engine fore-and-aft rather than transversely, it also used the Sierra 4x4's five-speed manual transmission which featured permanent four-wheel drive that split the power 34/66 front/rear. In road trim, the RS Cosworth produced 227bhp and with that horsepower in a nimble, compact car, performance was outstanding. The end came too early for many enthusiasts with production ceasing in January 1996. Only 7,145 cars were produced over a four-year period.

This stunning Pacific Blue late big turbo RS Cosworth is presented in Pacific Blue with full black Lux leather trim. K726 PLE was sold to its first owner on 25th September 1992 and remained with him until last year when permanently relocating to the USA he sold it to his good friend. The car having spent a number of years in storage as the owner spent more and more time in the US was a little cosmetically untidy and needed a little TLC so the new owner had the intention of recommissioning it himself but not having the time or funds to do the car justice he negotiated with the owner of the business tasked with the work 'our vendor' to step in and purchase the project and thus the more detailed cosmetic restoration began in earnest. We are told the car started fine and ran well but naturally needed all fluids removing and replacing and the car serviced, bearing in mind the incredible low mileage the interior was in fantastic condition and thus required nothing more than a leather feed and clean. The plan was to recommission and 'tidy' the car leaving or retaining originality but as many projects do this began to expand. The decision was taken to remove the engine and fully rebuild it and then detail it but while the engine was out he decided to paint the entire engine bay, then because of a few age related marks the decision was taken to expand this to fully repainting the entire car.

At this point the simple 'commissioning' had got fully out of hand and this our vendor changed tack and decided to spend the best part of the year ensuring the car was in a condition befitting of a low mileage low owner collector car…. So up next while the car was in the air awaiting its engine rebuild the decision was made to completely refurbish the underside with every nut and bolt removed, cleaned or replaced and zinc plated. The budget at this point had been thrown out the window and although not wanting to add up the man hours its estimated it would cost circa £60,000 to replicate the work luckily for our vendor this work was absolved within the restoration business that he owns indeed a restoration business with two world records under its belt and he and his team can feel proud of the result.

What we now have is a genuine, very low mileage standard example with history up to the point of storage and details from the restoration over the last year, a fabulous example therefore of an iconic 90's fast Ford. In essence a one owner car for almost all of its life and with under 18,000 miles from new viewing is highly recommended... as is buying! Consigned by Mathew Priddy