Introduction
Dom Ginn
The Ford Escort RS Turbo remains one of the most iconic performance Fords ever produced.
Instantly recognisable, and synonymous with the golden era of hot hatchbacks, the RS Turbo combined everyday practicality with staggering performance - and remains one of the most sought-after Fords of its generation.
This 1990 Mk4 stands out not only for its condition - a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration was carried out by respected Ford specialists RS Essex- but also for its remarkable ownership history. With just two previous owners before Toby acquired the car around ten years ago, it benefits from a provenance that is rarely found today.
Originally supplied to a Ford director and specified with a number of desirable options, this Escort has enjoyed a particularly privileged life from new. The subsequent ownership by RS Essex saw the car undergo a complete restoration before eventually passing into Toby's care. Since then, it has continued to benefit from careful maintenance and sympathetic recommissioning, resulting in an example that feels every bit as special as its history suggests. It comes with a long MOT, valid until 14.05.2027.
This listing was written from information supplied by Dom after meeting Toby the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.
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*** RESERVE LOWERED*** Toby has reduced the reserve on this car ending this evening. Good luck, Adam – TC
Hi steve the paint work on the car is fantastic there’s no orange peel and has not had any repairs for there to be any sinking.
Toby
Hi Toby, sorry one last question. Is the paintwork as good in real life as it looks in the pictures.? I know it wont be factory finish but can I just check theres no orange peel, runs or areas that have sunk from repairs. Thanks
That’s great thanks
Hi Toby, have you got any photos or details of the restoration to the body and engine. Can you confirm when the engine work was done nd it’s last cambelt and service. Thanks Steve
Hi steve, i have loads of photos of the restoration, the body has never been welded and no panels have ever been changed.
The car was stripped to a bare shell and totally repainted underneath and topside, all the original underside sealant is still there.
The engine went through a basic rebuild that consisted of new piston rings, all bottom end bearings, a new oil pump, water pump, all new gaskets and top end rebuild, this also obviously included new belt tensioners and timing belt.
All the recommissioning work has been done this year, almost every single moving part on this vehicle is brand new or restored.
Hope this helps.
Thanks, appreciate response
Thanks Toby, when it was cold started took until 3rd try to start then it didn’t idle smoothly. It’s odd when the engine is immaculate and the car is lovely. Any thoughts? Last couple of things the plastic covering the posts on either side of the windscreen inside car look warped maybe from sun. Has the car been sitting outside on driveway for extended period until you started the recommissioning? Last thing does the radio and cassette and speakers play and not sure where outside Ariel is. Does it have one fitted and working, thanks
To answer the question about the cold start it had been running absolutely perfectly for the duration since recommending however on the day of the photo shoot and videos it momentarily misbehaved! later that day i discovered a very small split in one of the original boost pipes, a new one or speck has now been fitted and it’s in perfect working order.
this is a high spec escort rs turbo and was fitted with a factory ariel to the rear windscreen along with an ariel amplifier.
The stereo in the picture is not the original as it’s in for repair at the moment but yes it all wil work as it’s supposed to.
as for the trims on the post i can only assume this was from early in its life it’s been garaged since the mid 90s
Since 1994 it looks like the car has done 17 miles. Have you had it in dry storage past 10 years? And was it in dry storage the 22 before you bought it? Did you buy it as investment?
The previous owner took the car off the road in 1994-1995 with the intention of respraying the car in a colour of his choice, he stripped it to almost a bare shell and started rubbing down the paint, for various reasons he aborted the project and it remained garaged in this state till i purchased the car.
Since then i have had everything recommissioned on the car and a new paint job done this is the first year the cars been on the road since the mid 1990s
Vehicle Location
Hatfield
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