My RWD Escort RS Cosworth nick named "The Widow Maker"
Discussion
Small update with no photos.
After a few miles on the rear tyres I now have grip in second  OK not on all surfaces etc. But much better than it was, it is now drivable in all gears so happy days on that.
Not managed to fix the front bumper yet, a mate has quoted me £70 to fix the bumper and the splitter, he has to get a price for paintwork on top of that so not the end of the world.
I have now bought a baby seat! We went for the Maxi Cosi Priorifix with the extra head pillow. Not my choice, the Mrs wanted this as it had a much better function of laying the seat back into a sleeping position than the Recaro seat. One thing I do know, it’s a ball ache to get my little girl in and out of the seat, not just this seat but all seats. If I had known this I would of got the seat that turns so it is facing the door when you need to un-belt them etc. I have not tried the seat yet with the belts in the back of the Cosworth but it should be fine.
One thing I would like to know, can you disable the passenger side airbag in an Escort Cosworth? I would prefer for my daughter to ride shotgun when it’s just me and her in the car but don’t want to with the airbag still on. Can anyone confirm if you have to disable the airbag for the front facing baby seats?
I took the car for a blast yesterday and had a few comments, first was from a guy who waved me down from his 4x4. I stopped and asked if I wanted to buy a Chainsaw!!! No thanks, he then moved onto the car, don’t see many of them he said, how much power does it have, is it fast etc
Then I had a guy who was cleaning cars in the car park I put her in ask if it was real, then went on to say you don’t see them anymore and it was good to see them being used. I couldn’t stop long but was happy enough to know this guy was clearly going to keep an eye on the car for me while it was parked 
I have to confess, I am finding myself looking in the Pistonheads classifieds again  never a good sign with me
After a few miles on the rear tyres I now have grip in second  OK not on all surfaces etc. But much better than it was, it is now drivable in all gears so happy days on that.
Not managed to fix the front bumper yet, a mate has quoted me £70 to fix the bumper and the splitter, he has to get a price for paintwork on top of that so not the end of the world.
I have now bought a baby seat! We went for the Maxi Cosi Priorifix with the extra head pillow. Not my choice, the Mrs wanted this as it had a much better function of laying the seat back into a sleeping position than the Recaro seat. One thing I do know, it’s a ball ache to get my little girl in and out of the seat, not just this seat but all seats. If I had known this I would of got the seat that turns so it is facing the door when you need to un-belt them etc. I have not tried the seat yet with the belts in the back of the Cosworth but it should be fine.
One thing I would like to know, can you disable the passenger side airbag in an Escort Cosworth? I would prefer for my daughter to ride shotgun when it’s just me and her in the car but don’t want to with the airbag still on. Can anyone confirm if you have to disable the airbag for the front facing baby seats?
I took the car for a blast yesterday and had a few comments, first was from a guy who waved me down from his 4x4. I stopped and asked if I wanted to buy a Chainsaw!!! No thanks, he then moved onto the car, don’t see many of them he said, how much power does it have, is it fast etc
Then I had a guy who was cleaning cars in the car park I put her in ask if it was real, then went on to say you don’t see them anymore and it was good to see them being used. I couldn’t stop long but was happy enough to know this guy was clearly going to keep an eye on the car for me while it was parked 
I have to confess, I am finding myself looking in the Pistonheads classifieds again  never a good sign with me
Lord, I am the same, the looks of it get me everytime. The sound is the next best thing to sex as well.
The thing with Cosworths, you just dont know what is under the bonnet, could be a standard 230 bhp or a 600 bhp RWD. Mine has enough power and RWD to play with most things on the road but bikes I dont really bother with unless 600 or under. Around town your never going to keep with anything in mine but when you get her out on the road so she can stretch her legs she really does go well. I went passed a 370Z the other day like he was going backwards (and yes he was trying as hard as he could) With mine not having parts of the 4x4 system anymore, the air con taken out and no heavy leather etc makes it a lightish car, especially for its power.
Part of me thinks, use her for a couple years like I am then take it out of everyday use, stick a cage in her, strip it, big brakes and turn the boost up and go track days or very fast road use or sell up within a year and buy something more family related like a M5 or something
The thing with Cosworths, you just dont know what is under the bonnet, could be a standard 230 bhp or a 600 bhp RWD. Mine has enough power and RWD to play with most things on the road but bikes I dont really bother with unless 600 or under. Around town your never going to keep with anything in mine but when you get her out on the road so she can stretch her legs she really does go well. I went passed a 370Z the other day like he was going backwards (and yes he was trying as hard as he could) With mine not having parts of the 4x4 system anymore, the air con taken out and no heavy leather etc makes it a lightish car, especially for its power.
Part of me thinks, use her for a couple years like I am then take it out of everyday use, stick a cage in her, strip it, big brakes and turn the boost up and go track days or very fast road use or sell up within a year and buy something more family related like a M5 or something
TheLordJohn said:
i'd keep it and limit it to road car with occasional track useage. the more trackdays you do the more chances of serious £20k+ investment in it, lol.
i can imagine it's a pretty quick beast like!
Yeah if I do track days then I will no doubt get addicted and start spending every penny I have on it. The engine/suspension would be good enough for track but a good £1000 on brakes, tyres etc will soon add up.i can imagine it's a pretty quick beast like!
Just been out in the works 1.4 Polo! It was one of them moments when you appreciate the power my car has lol
lol.95 fiesta si said:
last of the best RS's i reckon
Yes I agree with you on this, never driven a MK1/2 Focus RS but for me these really stood out, the reputation they have and the looks and respect they get. Nothing in its class from the same time has as much respect as a Cosworth in my eyesI have done nothing to the car over the last few weeks hence no updates, however my house is now starting to look like a house again
As soon as that has been finished then I shall have more money to throw away or at least enjoy.The car has started to get a little tight to get into 1st gear which I thought was alot worse than it is. Took her for a spin today and it still selects just a little stiffer than the rest of the gears. Anyone know how much a rebuild is on a T5? Or just replace 1st gear synchro?
I am surprised at how little attention this car gets on the road, most of my cars are constantly having someone try and push you out the way or egg you on. Not so with this car, seems very strange.
Had a MK2 Golf GTi pull up a long side this the otherday at the lights, I noticed the intercooler hanging off the front of it in my mirror and knew which car it was. Didnt bother to start with, got met with the normal waste gate flutter from the golf, in second I thought I would give it a squirt. The guy didnt want to know when you go passed with the ass twitching and the wheels spinning, I think he knew lol. I did notice the passanger was filming lol so expect that to be on Youtube soon.
Anyway, that is the update so fa. Not much will be done to the car now on the run up to Christmas and it is for sale so who knows it may find a new owner before my next update.
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