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A totally unique and low-mileage Fast Ford from the nineties is set to go under the hammer later this month – and it has the potential to sell for a record high price.
The one-of-a-kind 1995 Escort RS Cosworth stands apart from the 7,144 others produced by Ford due to its distinctive Zinc Yellow paint – the single right-hand-drive example to roll off the production line in this tone.
Commissioned for a director at Cosworth – the car’s engine supplier – when new, it has a six-figure guide price that’s set to make it one of the most expensive versions of the hot hatch ever sold.
Far from mellow yellow Fast Ford: This 1995 Escort RS Cosworth is a totally unique example, which is why it is expected to sell at auction this month in excess of £100,000
If there’s one automotive commodity you can earmark for shooting-up in value in the last decade it’s Fast Fords from the seventies, eighties and nineties.
Low-volume, ultra-rare, high-performance models with the blue oval badge from this era have become incredibly desirable and highly collectible, which is why we’ve seen some change hands for bonkers prices, such as the low mileage Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth that sold for almost £600,000 in February 2023.
The highest figure ever paid at auction for an Escort RS Cosworth like the one seen here was achieved last year.
That example had covered just 76 miles from new and was snapped up for £163,125.
This one-off Zinc Yellow Cossie – registrations ‘N104 SVV’ – could get very close to that record amount when it goes to the bloc on 24 August at Iconic Auctioneers Silverstone Festival sale at the legendary race circuit in Northamptonshire.
The auction house is expecting frenzied bidding and for the lot winner to hand over a sum in the region of £100,000 to £140,000.
Should there be more than one collector looking to add it to their garage, there’s a very good chance it could sneak close to that £163,000 record.
Given the Escort RS Cosworth was sold new in showrooms for £19,500, this example is on course to sell for seven times its original value.
Of the 7,145 Ford Escort RS Cosworths produced between 1992 and 1996, this is the only right-hand-drive version finished in Zinc Yellow, making it hugely collectible
It was ordered in October 1995 through Ford’s Special Vehicle Operations by Cosworth Engineering for the sole use of its financial director at the time, Victor Smith
Cosworth then kept the car for the next 30 years or so, making this a cherished example of the nineties performance Ford
What makes this particular car enticing is its individuality.
It was ordered in October 1995 through Ford’s Special Vehicle Operations by Cosworth Engineering for the sole use of its financial director at the time, Victor Smith.
By the time it was delivered, this was one of the final Escort Cosworths produced, which could also make it even more appealing to enthusiasts.
Ordered in the mellow yellow shade of paint, it is the only right-hand drive example in this colour scheme to roll off the production line.
Cosworth went on to retain the Escort Cosworth for the next 30 or so years.
‘One look at the condition and it’s clear to see that it has led a very cherished life, remaining in outstanding condition throughout with just 29,034 miles recorded at the time of viewing,’ explains Charles Smalley, car specialist at Iconic.
‘Even the suppling dealer, E Ward (Wellingborough) Ltd dealer sticker and tax disc holder ae still in place.
‘Open the door, hatchback or the bonnet and the condition remains the same, taking you back to a time when the RS badge had real cachet, with its Raven leather Recaros, cassette player and sunroof.’
Because this is example was made after 1994, it means it has the smaller turbocharger meaning the 2.0-litre engine produces 214bhp (the earlier models produced 224bhp, which many argue had better balance and handling.
The highest figure ever paid at auction for an Escort RS Cosworth was achieved last year. That example had covered just 76 miles from new and was snapped up for £163,125
Iconic Auctioneers, which is responsible for selling the car on 24 August, reckons it could make between £100,000 and £140,000 when the hammer drops
Iconic says the 1995 car has ‘remaining in outstanding condition’ throughout its lifetime and shows as covering just 29,034 miles from new
Because this is example was made after 1994, it means it has the smaller turbocharger meaning the 2.0-litre engine produces 214bhp (the earlier models produced 224bhp, which many argue had better balance and handling
‘Given that it is in exceptional condition throughout and unique in its presentation, it is possibly one of the most collectible Escorts to come to market in recent years,’ Smalley added in the lot description.
The car has just been serviced in preparation for the sale including a cambelt and brake overhaul, and the original exhaust is available should the new owner wish to retain it.
With Iconic Auctioneers expecting a lot of interest in this car, there’s bound to be one or two collectors left disappointed if – or when – the bidding skyrockets.
But fear not, as there is another Escort Cossie up for grabs that’s almost as special.
That car currently has 82,500 miles on the clock and experts estimate it will sell for between £65,000 and £75,000.
The car has just been serviced in preparation for the sale including a cambelt and brake overhaul, and the original exhaust is available should the new owner wish to retain it
Given the Escort RS Cosworth was sold new in showrooms for £19,500, this example is on course to sell for seven times its original value
Ford built the Escort RS Cosworth to compete in Group A rallying. Incredibly, its engineers squeezed the workings of the Sierra Cosworth into the compact Escort bodyshell to create this incredible performance car
Introduced in 1992, the Escort RS Cosworth was a ‘homologation special’ (a road car that formed the basis for a racing machine) and its sole role was to incorporate parts that Ford planned to use in their ‘Group A’ rally cars to ensure success in the World Rally Championship.
The company’s Special Vehicle Engineering division squeezed the workings of the Sierra Cosworth into the compact Escort bodyshell to create this incredible performance car.
Each hand-made example was equipped with an enormous rear wing, front splitter and widened body panels, which were designed to assist the car at the high speeds it was expected to reach in rallying.
Production eventually ceased in 1996.
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