Limited edition Ford Escort dubbed ‘the car to beat’ to go to auction – with 130mph speeds and impressive racing history
A TRUE icon of the road and track, the limited edition Ford Escort RS Turbo S1 is set to go on the auction block.
Finished in its signature Diamond White the car can reach speeds of up to 128mph, accelerating from 0-62mph in just 8.2 seconds.
And with only 36,525 miles on the clock, the impressive motor powered by its 132bhp, 1,600cc turbocharged engine could be yours.
It’s set to go on auction in February for £55,000.
Designed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Engineering team, the model was built to dominate in ‘Group N’ and ‘Group A’ motorsport categories.
Initially, Ford planned to produce 5,000 units, but soaring demand saw 8,604 models rolled out, sold exclusively through Rallye Sport dealers.
Nicknamed “the car to beat” for its racing prowess, the RS Turbo S1 gained a reputation on circuits across Europe.
It was known for advanced 1986 engine management, including computerised fuel injection and boost control.
It was also the first car to use the ground-breaking viscous-coupling LSD, revolutionising front wheel drive handling.
The Escort RS Turbo S1 stands out with its sporty design: body-coloured front grille, aerodynamic aids, and a bold go faster stripe along the sides.
Inside, it combines Monza and Cashmere fabrics with Recaro LS bucket seats, creating an interior as functional as it is stylish.
This particular model was supplied new in 1986 and passed through three careful owners before its current vendor, a professional car body repairer, acquired it in 2020.
He undertook a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration, ensuring all original factory panels and components were retianed.
The engine rebuild included a reground crank, oversized forged pistons, a new Garrett Turbo, and more, leaving the car in show-stopping condition.
The RS Turbo will be auctioned by Iconic Auctioneers on Saturday, February, 2025, at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry.
The sale includes a detailed history file with service records, manuals, and invoices documenting the restoration.