1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth Rally Car

Highlights

• Fully rally spec Escort Cosworth, believed to be ex-works Group N M-Sport car 

• Reportedly built for McRae/Grist as a recce/practice car

• Used on Rally Argentina and Rally Australia

• Eligible for numerous historic events as of next year 

• The seller's research indicates that this is 1 of only 3 cars built to this specification and 1 of only 2 surviving

Overview

Group N regulations were introduced in 1982 by the FIA to replace the outgoing group 1 class, and was often referred to colloquially as the ‘showroom class’ as, compared to other classes, the cars remained much more visually similar to those that you could buy for street use. 

Homologated into Group N (and simultaneously, Group A) in 1993, the Escort Cosworth would go on to prove itself legendary across both classes, and cement itself in history as one of the rallying greats, thanks to the likes of McRae, Grist and Sainz. 

Reportedly built as a recce / practice car for McRae/Grist, this Escort RS utilises a genuine motorsport shell with T45 cage, has a fully guarded underside with Kevlar floors, and extensive engine and mechanical upgrades. We're told that the car saw use at Rally Australia and Rally Argentina, and was driven by both Sainz and Jimmy/Colin McRae in-period according to the paperwork and history. 

Next year it will be eligible for a variety of historic rallying events so if you'd like to add your name to the next chapter of this car's story, get your bid in now.

History and documentation

• Registered April 19th 1996

• Purchased by the current owner 14 years ago

• Period rallying paperwork including RAC Rally log book

• Old M-Sport limited V5, bearing signatures which are reported to be those of Colin and Jimmy McRae

• The seller tells us that it was originally built and maintained by GSE and later looked after by M-Sport

• 3 cars (all N-reg) were built to this specification, and only 2 survive, with the other written off by Carlos Sainz

• The seller notes that after Sainz wrote off his car, a number of the parts (with his name on) found their way into this example

• The seller shares the following anecdote about the car’s history: “ I met Jimmy at Shelsley Walsh hill climb with a tribute to thirty years Since Colin McRae won the World championship, he remembers borrowing the car and after a rough landing which broke the rear suspension - Malcolm Wilson who ran M Sport was not happy!”

• Valves and cylinder head refaced in 2007

• Engine rebuild carried out by Will Power

• The shell received new inner and outer wings and doors, and was then stripped, resprayed and waxoiled

• A full suspension rebuild has also been carried out in the current ownership

• Whilst in the care of our vendor, this iconic rally car has been used for show purposes and hill climb events

• Current MOT expires June 10th 2026 with advisories for an insecure battery and a minor exhaust gas leak

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

Interior

• Stripped-back competition spec interior

• The interior shows an expected level of wear-and-tear throughout, befitting of a competition vehicle that has been used and enjoyed

• The floor heel mats, side bar covers and carpets are heavily worn

• Other high-traffic areas such as the gearstick, steering wheel, switchgear and monitors exhibit a commensurate level of ageing and wear

• Sparco Atlas Carbon race seats with ‘McRae’ and ‘Grist’ embroidered in the headrests 

• Sabelt harnesses

• MOMO steering wheel

• It should be noted that the safety gear in the vehicle requires replacement prior to competition use as the seats, harnesses etc are out-of-date

• Full-size spare wheel in the rear of the cabin 

• No reported faults or issues 

Exterior

• Finished in Group N Valvoline livery

• A full respray has been carried out during the vendor’s ownership

• The front end of the car shows some expected ‘signs of life’

• The bumper was a quick release item but now is bolted on

• There is a large crack in the bodywork above the nearside front wheel 

• Numerous stone chips, light blemishes and signs of a life well-lived 

• External safety cut-off pulls

• The classic OZ wheels would benefit from refurbishment

• The seller also has the original set of OZ alloys in the garage, matching those in the rear of the car; they are refurbished and are fitted with an old set of gravel tyres

Mechanical

• Mountune turbocharged 2.0-litre ‘YBT inline-four race engine with Maram shaft turbo producing 287bhp

• Pectel management with ALS (anti-lag)

• Five-speed Quaife ‘big tooth’ manual gearbox with specific ratios for recce cars (different to the competition cars) 

• All-wheel drive with centre differential

• Upgraded Gartrac rear arms and front uprights

• WRC-spec steering arms

• Ohlins fully-adjustable suspension 

• No reported mechanical issues

Summary

Understood to be one of only two surviving (of three built) Group N recce cars from the period, this is an exceedingly rare opportunity for one lucky Ford, McRae or WRC collector or enthusiast to obtain a living, breathing piece of Ford Motorsport history, with the added benefit of potential for use in numerous historic rallying events as of January 2026, when the car turns 30, subject to updating the safety kit. There can be few cooler cars in which to hit the stages. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Stroud, Gloucestershire.