Estimated Price: £85,000 - £95,000

The much-revered Escort RS Turbo Series 1 was supplied in the distinctive Diamond White body colour only. The engine utilised was a 1,600 CVH unit modified to suit the higher loads and the application of a turbocharger, whilst also benefiting from computerised fuel injection and engine management incorporating boost control, producing a healthy 132bhp. It was the first front-wheel drive road car in the world to use a compact viscous-coupling design LSD instead of a normal mechanical LSD, which greatly improved cornering and drivability.

Aesthetically, the RS Turbo was given a distinctive sporty appearance with a body-coloured front grille, bumpers and aerodynamic aids. The interior was trimmed in a combination of Monza and Cashmere fabrics and Recaro LS bucket seats were fitted as standard. Production was limited to only 5,000 examples and few remain unscathed from winter commuting, modification and joy ridden damage. The best known fan of the Series RS Turbo was the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and we had the honour of selling her specially painted black car for an unbeatable world record price, and the market today still value low-mileage examples with detailed history files.

Supplied by Haynes Bros. Ltd. of Maidstone, Kent on the 3rd March 1986 to a Mr. Griffiths, the accompanying MOT Certificates confirm some 11,878 miles travelled under his ownership. The car was gifted to the second owner, Mr. Baker, in Mr. Griffiths' will in 2002, and registered to Mr. Baker's sister from 2004 to 2024. Correctly stored, the car had travelled less than a thousand miles yet was MOT'd every year, as confirmed by the certificates on file, the most recent of which was issued with no advisories on 9th April 2026 at 13,081 miles.

On test, the car drove as it should, with the window down on a sunny spring day, the rather pleasing discovery of a cassette tape in-situ provided nostalgic accompaniment to the gentle burble of the exhaust. Presented to auction with the aforementioned detailed history file that includes various RS Owners Club items, a valuation letter from 2017, and the book pack containing the owner manuals and original service book. This very special car offers a near unrepeatable opportunity to acquire as close to a factory correct as can be, never restored, original, and very well looked after by one family for nearly forty years.