1988 Ford Escort RS Turbo

This car has been with the vendor since, we think, 2010.

A previous owner, who clearly knew what to do with a spanner, fully rebuilt the engine in 2006, a project that involved the head being ported and polished, and a list of new items that included: piston rings, shells, head bolts, cam belt, clutch, water pump, alternator, gaskets, and a reconditioned gearbox.

Then the engine was stripped and rebuilt again in 2010.

The car we have with us today is fairly reasonable cosmetically and has benefitted from a new battery installed on delivery to us.

Finding an RS Turbo that hasn’t been modified or tweaked in some way is increasingly hard nowadays.

This car isn’t making that search any easier.

The paperwork alludes to or expressly states that it has had various tweaks given to it over the years – everything from a Demon Tweeks ‘Scorpion’ exhaust system to a chipped ECU and all manner of upgrades and enhancements courtesy of Jamsport of Northampton.

A Superchips print out (undated) shows that the car was good for 202bhp and 229lbft of torque.

Which is more than respectable.

The bodywork is free of any significant dents or dinks that we can see.

But there are some unusual features to contend with.

Firstly, the bonnet has been raised an inch or two proud of the bodywork at the rear.

This, we understand, is a thing that’s done in the service of aiding engine cooling.

Secondly, there are no locks on the doors. These were removed when the car was fitted with an aftermarket immobiliser at some point.

The red paint has held up pretty well in general.

The wheels are decent aside from one of two minor scuffs here and there.

The tyres are definitely a little long in the tooth, and there are some cracks and crazing in the sidewalls. We advise 4 new tyres would be required before carrying out any road use. 

There’s some bubbling in evidence on the sunroof surround, and some black rubber trim is cracked and/or missing under the passenger window, allowing a little corrosion to make itself known in the exposed metal underneath.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings look to be in good order.

The interior is good in parts, less so in others, and needs work elsewhere – depending on where you look.

The grey patterned fabric upholstery on the seats could do with being introduced to some decent cleaning products but is otherwise not too bad.

The same applies to the headlining, carpets and mats.

The Recaro seats at the front have retained their shape, comfort, support and functionality.

Those in the rear are a little shabby but by no means beyond redemption.

Somewhat bizarrely, the door card armrests have lost their padding and feel decidedly empty and deflated as a consequence.

The vinyl trim on the ‘A’ pillars has warped and buckled.

The dashboard plastics have resisted the temptation to fade or crack, but the housing around the instrument binnacle is loose, as is the plastic shroud around the steering column.

There is a partially attached - or partially detached - electronic gizmo of some description inside the glove compartment

The carpeting and trim inside the boot is not attached and there are various electrical wires dangling in space here and there.

Much of the boot is occupied by a mahoosive sub-woofer unit.

The engine bay looks a little dusty but otherwise fine to us, and everything appears to be clean, dry and in its right and proper place.

Whilst we haven't driven the car, the vendor has installed a new battery upon delivery to us, and started fired it up shortly after fitting. Since then the Immobiliser fitted won't play ball and therefore we have been unable to get the car running again. We suggest either complete removal or a newer system being installed will have the car fired up and running again in no time.

The undersides seem to be pretty well preserved and everything we can see appears to have a reassuring amount of structural integrity.

The car comes with a thick wad of invoices attesting to the amount of time and money spent on its maintenance, servicing, enhancement, repair and upgrading over the years.

It doesn’t currently have an MoT certificate, but it does have a recent, clear HPI report.

Fast Fords have always had a devoted following of often fanatical enthusiasts.

For them, the RS Turbo is up near the top of the ladder, just below the rung reserved for models wearing a Cosworth badge.

Yes, this car has its faults, but the absence of rot and the generally sound bodywork tell us that it has been kept warm and dry over the course of its life and, we think, is probably just a few jobs away from getting back to doing its fast Ford thing on the open road.

In August 2022 an Escort RS Turbo sold for £650,000.

Admittedly, that was a one-off car built for and driven by Princess Diana.

We confidently predict that you’ll be able to get your hands on this one for rather less money – and that you’re likely to get a good return on your investment if you spend a little on getting it properly sorted.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £13,000 - £16,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.