Thursday 2nd February 2012

Spotted: Ford Escort RS1600i...

...Immaculate, but boy will you have to pay for it...

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We're used to fast versions of Mk2 Ford Escorts commanding silly prices; the image of the car sliding and barking its way around muddy forests has seen to that. But the hotter versions of the front-drive Mk3 Escort? Surely they're more Southend seafront than Hafren Sweetlamb?

An RS-badged alternative to the XR3i, the Escort RS 1600i was built by 'Ze Germans' (rather than developed in Britain at Dunton) as a homologation special for Group A racing.

So as well as a limited run of 5000 units, the RS1600i was treated to Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection for its 1596cc CVH motor, trick cams and valve lifters and a higher compression ratio. The result was 115hp at 6,000rpm, 106lb ft at 5,250rpm, 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 115mph.

Underneath the nattily striped and foglighted body lay adjustable Koni dampers, springs that lowered the escort by 2 inches and chunkier wheels and tyres than on an XR3i. Whether that made it more hardcore than the Xr3i, or more nervous and less approachable is, we suppose a matter of taste. And a debate that could (and probably will) rage for hours.

As for prices, these days £3K upwards should (theoretically) net you a pretty tidy example. This RS1600i, for sale by North Yorks-based East Coast classics, but actually based in Essex (natch), doesn't exactly follow that pattern, however: the vendor wants a thumping £26K for it. OK, it's done just 1,914 miles from new so it doesn't even have a stamp in the service book and it is mind-hurtingly clean (just look at the underbody photo), but come on. £26,000? That's getting on for RS500 money.

But if you've got to have the tidiest, most original 'Scort Mk3 around, then maybe you'd be prepared to pay for it.*

*We wouldn't be prepared to pay for it

[davidcharles]

..thats one tidy motor...but hardly a "classic" to demand £26k...

thats as clean underneath as i have ever seen...

[T2R31]

Brings back the memories!!

Had one in my teens, dodgy car dealing/auction days!

Great torque steer!

Wanted another one for years, but a tad expensive @ £26k!

[Steamer]

Love 'em... but too rich for my blood at that price!

I can only just about get my head around the price explosion of MK1's & 2's - but not a Mk3.

[The Ferret]

er, no thank you.

[uuf361]

Lovely car, but £26K

[rs500database]

Quite simply the Best Rs1600i around , ideal to go into a private collection of fine Rs's and there are a few around Bonkers for one! , the very best rs cars are commanding very high premiums and selling even in the current fiscal climate.
Stunning car .
Darren Barber

[DanDC5]

Do all old Ford owners live in some sort of dream world. It's an old Escort ffs!

[160tim]

Did it really have steering wheel like THAT ?

[Corsair7]

rs500database said:

Quite simply the Best Rs1600i around , ideal to go into a private collection of fine Rs's and there are a few around Bonkers for one! , the very best rs cars are commanding very high premiums and selling even in the current fiscal climate.
Stunning car .
Darren Barber

Admit it, it's your advert, isn't it?

[Alias218]

I take offence to that Southend jibe! True though the stereotype may (unfortunately) be...

[MrKipling43]

It's nice, but silly money. Such a blatant 'collectors' item' for the sake of being a collectors' item, rather than it actually having any interesting provinence in the same was as an RS500, or even an Escort Cosworth.

As for the service history, I'd be worried that it hasn't been touched by a mechanic for, what, 23 years? Despite the mileage.

[VidalBaboon]

Bloody lovely. This or a bog spec VW Golf TDi


So what if it's RS500 money? That would have done a fair few miles more and wouldn't be in the same condition. Just sayin', like.

[matthias73]

DanDC5 said:

Do all old Ford owners live in some sort of dream world. It's an old Escort ffs!

SHUT UP!111 ITS A RALLYCAR LEGEND AND MOTORSPORT HERO! EVERYONE SHOUDL LOVE AND RESPECT DESE CARES THEY ARE THE BEST OF THE ERA1!

But it is in good condition, and I would say it is worth the money that one would orginally have to pay for it, taking into account inflation, as it has hardly been used, and is now far rarer.

[Johnboy Mac]

As an 'investment' you could hardly use it. If it was to be used, it's too expensive. Sorry, you Ford fanboys, there's better & nicer cars to be had for less.

[sinbaddio]

I may well be wrong but I thought the RS1600i was a hotter version of the XR3, pre injection?

[SmartVenom]

Good luck to whoever is selling this!

Crazy, crazy price.

Nice, but really think they are being very ambitious on the price. If you buy it you can't use it without wiping £20K off the price and I can't see many collectors buying an escort which lacks any real provenance.

[rs500database]

Corsair7 said:

Admit it, it's your advert, isn't it?

Why would it be my advert it's nothing to do with me what so ever

[gforceg]

I often wondered, but never bothered to find out, what the differences were between these and the XR3i. Now I know, thanks.

There used to be a lovely mid blue one with silver "graphics" where I lived in the 80/90s. Always liked these but never liked XR3s. Go figure.

[scorcher]

No Service History! No thanks. Next!

[Mike Holmes]

No thanks , thats Porsche 911 turbo money...........No contest