Fabulous Fords and more head to NEC Classic auction

Hits from the Blue Oval back-catalogue

The 2024 NEC Classic Motor Show takes place this weekend – and promises to be one of the UK’s biggest celebrations of retro motoring.

Alongside the hundreds of cars on show will be a litany of vehicles up for auction, including lots of legendary fast Fords. Iconic Auctioneers will host the NEC Classic sale, with cars crossing the auction block on Saturday 9 November 2024.

Ahead of the auction, we have nominated some of the top Fords up for grabs, along with a number of other impressive retro rides.

1989 Ford RS200

There are actually two Ford RS200s up for grabs at the NEC Classic sale, meaning you have twice the opportunity to own one of these rare, mid-engined homologation specials.

This is said to be the 100th of the 200 vehicles planned. It was specified with a full leather interior, and the iconic Ford Motorsport exterior decals. Like all RS200s, it makes use of a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine that drives all four wheels.

Having covered fewer than 1,800 miles from new, this RS200 even still wears its original Pirelli P6000 tyres. It has a pre-auction estimate of between £220,000 and £260,000.

1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

The Ford Sierra RS Cosworth is a true hero of 1980s motorsport. It became the dominant force in Group A touring car competitions throughout the decade.

Taken from the initial run of 5,000 homologation cars, this Sierra RS Cosworth is painted in desirable Moonstone Blue. Like all RS Cosworths, it makes use of a 204hp turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that powers the rear wheels.

The car’s five owners since 1987 all seemingly resisted the urge to drive the Cosworth too much. There are only 8,840 miles recorded on its odometer, making this an extremely well-preserved example.

Accordingly, it could achieve £100,000 to £120,000 on the auction block.

1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth

What could be more special than a Sierra RS Cosworth? An even rarer Sierra RS500 Cosworth, of course.

This evolution aimed to ensure that the Cosworth remained competitive on-track. The RS500’s engine was boosted to deliver 224hp, thanks to a larger turbocharger. Other tweaks included an extra rear spoiler and cooling ducts in place of front fog lights.

This particular example was a Ford press vehicle, and was later used by the Benetton Formula 1 team. It comes with a huge history file, which should help it achieve the guide price of £100,000 to £120,000.

1990 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Group A

This is a genuine piece of British motorsport history, being the Sierra RS500 Cosworth used by Tim Harvey during two seasons of the British Touring Car Championship.

Built by Andy Rouse Engineering, it wears the iconic Labatts livery, and took multiple class wins during the 1989 and 1990 seasons. The RS500 also achieved victory in the 1989 Guia touring car race, with Harvey at the wheel.

Now restored for historic motorsport competition, the RS500 has made appearances at the Silverstone Classic and Oulton Park Gold Cup, with Harvey back in the driver’s seat.

1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth Rouse Sport 304-R

Andy Rouse was a successful touring car driver in his own right, with multiple BTCC title victories. His Andy Rouse Engineering outfit was responsible for building many successful racing cars, including the previous RS500. However, the company, with Ford’s blessing, also turned its hand to making modified road-going Sierras.

A total of 78 examples of the four-wheel-drive 304R were produced, with 260hp extracted from the 2.0-litre turbo engine, plus a bespoke body kit. Larger tyres and an upgraded interior with new seats were also fitted, adding £4,600 to the list price.

This example has covered just 2,800 miles from new, making it perhaps the closest thing to a new Rouse Sport 304-R. A guide price of £70,000 to £80,000 reflects the rarity of this special Sierra.

1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4

Launched in 1990, the four-wheel-drive version of the Sapphire Cosworth was the final chapter in the Sierra RS story. All-wheel traction, plus a boost in power to 220hp, meant 0-60mph took just 5.6 seconds.

This particular example was first used as Ford’s press demonstrator, appearing in promotional material and evaluated by motoring journalists. Bought by the vendor in 1995, it has been kept garaged and scrupulously maintained ever since.

With a guide price of £28,000 to £32,000, it makes for a more affordable way into Sierra RS Cosworth ownership. But it still delivers plenty of fast Ford fun.

1969 Ford Escort Mk1 Twin-Cam

The link between the Ford Escort and performance began soon after the first-generation car was launched, with the Twin-Cam added to the range in 1968. It acted as a homologation vehicle for rallying, using a Lotus-engineered engine to deliver 110hp. Top speed was 110mph.

Only 883 examples of the Twin-Cam were made before it was replaced by the Escort RS1600. It makes early examples like this one rare and desirable, especially when the car was used to win multiple rallying championships.

Restored in 2017, this Twin-Cam features Bilstein suspension, Cibie spotlights and a renewal of its signature livery. It could achieve between £65,000 and £75,000 at auction.

1973 Ford Escort Mk1 RS2000

Following the RS1600, Ford released the RS2000 version of the Escort Mk1 in 1973. Intended to be easier to live with, the RS2000 featured a 2.0-litre Pinto engine that developed 100hp and 100lb ft of torque.

Kept in storage for many years, a complete bare-metal restoration was commissioned by the vendor. This included the bodyshell being dipped and repaired, with as many original parts used as possible.

Around £130,000 is said to have been spent on the restoration. It means a guide price of £80,000 to £100,000 could present good value.

1980 Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000 Custom

Launched in 1974, the Mk2 version of the Ford Escort retained the same platform as its predecessor beneath updated bodywork. Ford kept many of the same performance models, too, including a second generation of the RS2000.

This 1980 car comes with the desirable Custom pack, including the trademark ‘fishnet’ Recaro seats, four-spoke alloy wheels and extra gauges for the dashboard. Incredibly, it has had just two owners from new, with around 45,000 miles shown on the odometer.

Unrestored, the spare wheel is original, with the ashtray and cigar lighter both unused. Such a time-warp Escort could achieve £40,000 to £50,000.

1989 Ford Escort RS Turbo S2

A move to front-wheel drive for the third generation Ford Escort was a radical change, but that did not stem the flow of RS-branded models. Launched in late 1984, the Escort RS Turbo brought forced induction to Ford’s hot hatchback.

A Series 2 version of the RS Turbo was introduced with the updated Mk4 model, with the 1.6-litre engine now developing 132hp and 133lb ft of torque.

Fewer than 30,000 miles have been driven by this RS Turbo, which is noted as being in unrestored original condition. For a big slice of 1980s retro performance, budget on needing £30,000 to £35,000.

1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth Lux

Arguably the most famous Escort in Ford’s history, the RS Cosworth brought four-wheel-drive performance from the Sierra to a more compact bodyshell. Like its older brethren, it was designed for motorsport homologation, with this being one of the first 2,500 cars made for that purpose.

Finished in Diamond White, it comes equipped with the desirable Lux package. This means a full leather interior, electric sunroof, leather steering wheel and a heated front windscreen. Astonishingly, this Cosworth has covered just 2,221 miles from new.

Trailered to shows, the Cosworth has undergone some gentle preparation work before being auctioned. Being so original, it has a guide price of £80,000 to £100,000.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth

Demonstrating that not everything in the Iconic Auctioneers sale comes with a Ford badge, here’s a different take on Cosworth performance.

First developed with rallying in mind, the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v evolved into a touring car contender instead. A total of 185hp was extracted from the Cosworth-enhanced 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine, mated to a five-speed Getrag dog-leg gearbox.

This particular car was delivered to the Team Lotus Formula One team, then used by both management and drivers. Given the late Ayrton Senna was part of the team at that time, there is a very real chance he drove this 190E.

With a potential link to one of the greatest Formula One drivers, a guide price of £30,000 to £35,000 seems almost good value.

1993 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton

An executive saloon with a 377hp twin-turbocharged engine may seem unremarkable today, but in the early 1990s the Lotus Carlton created a storm. Famously, it was even mentioned during a parliamentary debate, after a campaign was launched to have the 177mph four-door banned.

This is one of the last of the 320 cars with Vauxhall (rather than Opel) badges, and has been carefully maintained since being acquired by its current vendor. The work included a respray in Imperial Green for the bodykit and bonnet.

Owning a legendary super saloon could require between £50,000 and £60,000.

1979 Volkswagen Golf Mk1 GTI 1.6

Volkswagen may have just launched the latest Mk8.5 version of its Golf GTI, but the NEC Classic sale features an example of the car that started it all.

This is one of the earliest right-hand-drive Mk1 Golf GTIs sold in the UK, powered by the 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. Painted in Mars Red, this GTI was kept by its first owner until 2019, having spent a number of years in storage.

A guide price of £25,000 to £30,000 should make this legendary GTI far cheaper than the latest model, too.

1994 Renault Clio Williams Phase One

Like many of the cars on this list, the Renault Clio Williams was developed as a homologation special. Intended to help Renault enter Group N rallying, a link with the Williams-Renault Formula One team gave this hot hatch extra credibility.

The combination of a 2.0-litre 150hp and upgraded suspension made for one of the most engaging front-wheel-drive cars ever. Painting it in Metallic Sports Blue, then adding 16-inch gold Speedline wheels, created a genuine legend.

As one of the first 2,500 ‘Phase One’ cars, this Clio Williams is even more desirable. Showing just 9,331 miles on its odometer, an extensive history file and even a pair of promotional jackets have pushed the guide price to between £40,000 and £50,000.

2002 BMW Z3 M Coupe

Can the Z3 M Coupe be classed as the ultimate hot hatch? A passion project by BMW engineers, it added a practical hatchback to the two-seat Z3 roadster.

Taken from later in the car’s production life, this Z3 M Coupe features the more powerful S54 engine, developing 321hp. A five-speed manual gearbox was mated to a limited-slip differential, responsible for sending all the power to the rear wheels.

Bought by the vendor’s late father, this rare Imola Red example comes with a low mileage. For a retro sports car that looks like nothing else, budget on winning bids of £60,000 to £70,000.

1980 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4

Middlesbrough-born musician Chris Rea has a longstanding association with Ferrari, having owned and raced many historic models. His love for the Italian marque even led to Rea producing the 1996 film La Passione, a tribute to the Ferrari 156.

Numerous examples of the Dino 308 GT4 have been owned by Rea, including race versions. This particular car is finished in a subtle combination of Grigio Ferro over Blu Dino Scurro, with its interior trimmed in Bordeaux Red leather.

Recently recommissioned, being linked to a true Ferrari aficionado will add to the desirability of this Dino. It comes with a guide price of between £40,000 and £50,000.

2011 Land Rover Defender 110 6.2 V8

Film producer Guy Ritchie did not want just any Land Rover Defender when he approached specialists Nene Overland in 2015. He wanted the ultimate Defender for use on his 1,100-acre estate, able to act as a work vehicle, but still comfortable to commute in.

The result was a Defender with a 430hp 6.2-litre Chevrolet V8, alongside an automatic six-speed transmission and adjustable air suspension. Larger brakes, 20-inch wheels and adjustable seats from a Range Rover were all included, too.

Ritchie has added less than 20,000 miles since the Defender conversion was finished, leaving it ready for more use. This comprehensive Land Rover restomod, combined with celebrity ownership, could achieve between £75,000 and £85,000 at the NEC.

1977 Jaguar XJC-R Restomod

The Iconic Auctioneers sale includes another restomod, this one being sold to raise money for the RNLI charity. Completed by Jaguar specialist Tom Lenthall, the car is named ‘Emma’ after his late friend who died of cancer.

Using a 1977 Jaguar XJ-C Coupe as a base, Lenthall added the supercharged 4.2-litre engine from a 1990s XJR. Extra fettling has resulted in 370hp, earning it the ‘XJC-R’ name. Brembo brakes and suspension subframes from the modern XJR have also been fitted to the classic coupe.

There is no guide price and no reserve given for this special Jaguar, as all proceeds from the sale will be donated to charity.

1999 Skoda Felicia Fun

We finish our list with a big yellow dose of fun. Literally. The Skoda Felicia Fun was made between 1997 and 2001, bringing a sense of silliness to the usually pragmatic Czech marque.

Its whimsical specification included Yellow Fun paintwork, a pair of slide-out rear seats and interior upholstery featuring a frog in a crown. Yes, really. Yellow dials, a yellow leather-trimmed steering wheel and a yellow gear lever were all part of the package, too.

A Truckman hardtop has been fitted on this particular Fun, which has covered around 38,800 miles from new. It comes with the apt personalised registration number included, and is offered without reserve.