1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo

The Series 1 Escort RS Turbo was carefully developed by Ford’s talented Special Vehicle Engineering team whose other great successes include the Capri 2.8 Injection and the XR3.

The RS Turbo was designed to set new standards in Group N and Group A events, and quickly became the car to beat.

Ford initially planned to build just 5,000 units, the minimum number required for homologation in Group A, however a total of 8,604 were built due to increased demand and they were sold only through official Rallye Sport dealers.

Today, that following has amassed into obsession for many diehard Fast-Ford enthusiasts around the world and the old-adage applies that time has taken it’s toll on those that weren’t cared for well and it’s hard to find a good one.

Fitted with Ford’s famous 1.6L turbocharged Compound Valve Hemispherical chamber (CVH) unit, producing 132HP and mated to a Bosch KE Jetronic Fuel Injection System this seriously hot hatch devours the 0-100km/h sprint in a smile stimulating 8 seconds. The drive is sensational.

With all the Rallye trimmings as well, these cars received colour coded bumpers with front over riders, laminated windscreen and all round safety glass, RS aerodynamic front and rear spoilers, RS Turbo decals, Ford spot lamps, remote control colour coded door mirrors, colour coded ‘Orion’ radiator grille, RS 3 spoke steering wheel, cigar lighter, rear ashtrays, front door stowage bins, 3-speed heater fan, coin box, radio cassette, trip recorder, tachometer and a roof mounted digital clock.

Over and above that, you could also order a factory Custom Pack which included electric windows, central locking, tilt/slide glass sunroof and opening rear quarter-lite windows.

The superb car offered here is a 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo sold new by K.T. Dartford, Kent in August the same year and ordered with the collectable Custom Pack.

One of the best kept history files we’ve seen, accompanying this car is its original bill of sale, service booklet with a Ford factory service history up until 1999, Optional Warranty Plan manual, Laserline alarm manual, RS Owners club memberships and original keys.

All in very well-preserved condition, on the back page of the bill of sale are the details of the first owner’s trade-in, an earlier model Ford Escort!

The interior of this RS Turbo is perfect and pristine. Finished in original two-tone grey Monza crushed velour and RS Blue piping the seat pads and bolsters are very firm and show no sign of wear. The door cards and carpets are in remarkable showroom fresh condition and from the stereo to the switch gear, everything is perfectly in its place.

The exterior is much the same. Totally as per factory specification the RS and analogue decals are all present and accounted for, so to is the original selling dealer decal in the rear windscreen and original Carello light lenses. The panel gaps and correct Diamond White paint finish are in excellent order, the original 15 X 6 inch RS seven spoke alloy wheels are spotless and the correct factory stampings on the three spokes of each rim are clearly prominent, all tell tale signs of a very well preserved car.

Believed to be the only car of its kind in Australia and ready to drive off the showroom floor this rare, universally collectable and totally engaging to drive Fast Ford is the most exciting investment you’ll ever own.