RS kickers: fast Fords star at NEC auction this week

The NEC Classic Motor Show Sale is fast approaching, with a variety of rare and intriguing vehicles listed for auction.

Run by Silverstone Auctions, the sale itself takes place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 November 2021.

Among the huge range of cars up for grabs, we have profiled some of the hottest performance Fords.

1971 Ford Escort Mk1 RS1600

It seems only right that we begin with the Escort RS1600: the car that kickstarted the Ford Rallye Sport brand. A Cosworth BDA engine, alongside tuned suspension and a strengthened bodyshell, made the RS1600 perfect for motorsport.

A total of 1,137 RS1600s were made by the Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations facility. This example was exported to Malta by its first owner, helping preserve its body from rust. It returned to the UK in 2005, then underwent an eight-year restoration. 

Still in the factory paint colour, and with its original engine and gearbox, it should fetch between £65,000 and £75,000 at auction.

1980 Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000 Custom

Instantly recognisable, the ‘droop snoot’ Mk2 Escort RS2000 added new styling and a larger engine to the Rallye Sport offering. Its tuned 2.0-litre Pinto engine produced 109hp, propelling the RS2000 to 60mph in 8.5 seconds.

The car up for auction is said to be in incredibly well-preserved condition. With only two owners recorded on the V5C, the Escort has covered 28,000 miles from new. Stored since 2014, even the cigar lighter and ashtray are unused.  

For such an original car, a pre-auction estimate suggests a price of £40,000 to £50,000.

1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

It would not be a fast Ford auction without a Sierra RS Cosworth. Developed to help the Blue Oval dominate Group A touring car racing, the RS Cosworth was a true homologation special.

The combination of Cosworth’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and some wild aerodynamic additions created a winner on the track. Ford produced over 5,500 examples, with this 1987 car being one of the later examples made. 

Finished in Diamond White, this RS Cosworth has three former keepers. It shows just 10,490 miles on the odometer, supported by extensive paperwork.

The legendary Ford is expected to sell for between £80,000 and £100,000.

1989 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500

Considered the Holy Grail of Sierra Cosworths, the limited-production RS500 is likely to be in major demand at the NEC sale. 

Built to help keep the RS Cosworth competitive on track, the RS500 brought a larger turbocharger and other engine enhancements to the party. An extra rear spoiler was added to the tailgate, with the front bumper swapping fog lights for brake cooling ducts. 

The black RS500 up for auction has covered 15,103 miles from new, and comes with what appear to be original tyres. Professionally stored since the late vendor took ownership in 2006, a pre-auction estimate suggests £100,000 to £120,000.

1991 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4×4

The final chapter in the Sierra Cosworth story, the 4×4 version of the Sapphire saloon brought extra traction to the RS package. 

Sold as an executive express, the combination of 220hp and four-wheel drive attracted plenty of attention in the UK. Not all of it was good, with the Cosworth 4×4 gaining fans among the criminal fraternity. 

Fortunately, this car appears to have escaped the underworld, with three previous owners from new. The 58,545 miles shown are supported by a long service history, plus all its MOT certificates. 

Compared with the other fast Fords up for auction, an estimate of £20,000 to £25,000 makes it a bargain, too.

2003 Ford Focus RS

Many of the cars listed above would be classed as ‘low-mileage’ examples, but this 2003 Ford Focus RS takes the ultimate prize. Kept from new by its original owner, it has covered a mere 335 miles.

Inspired by the contemporary World Rally Championship Focus, the RS came with a 215hp turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, but front-wheel drive. A Quaife torque-biasing differential was used to transfer power to the road. 

Stored after being driven for just one weekend, the Imperial Blue Focus RS comes with all its original manuals, service book and a fresh MOT. The price of the nearly-new Focus RS is estimated at £70,000 to £80,000.

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