Unique yellow Ford Escort RS Cosworth could sell for new auction record of over £100,000

A totally unique, low-mileage Fast Ford from the 1990s is going under the hammer later this month, with a good chance of selling for a record price.

The one-off 1995 Escort RS Cosworth stands out from the 7,144 others produced by Ford with its signature Zinc Yellow paint. It is the only right-hand drive example to roll off the production line in this colour.

The car was commissioned by an executive at Cosworth, the engine supplier, and has a suggested retail price of six figures, making it likely to be one of the most expensive versions of the hot hatch ever sold.

If there is one automotive product whose value has increased dramatically over the past decade, it is the Fast Fords of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

Limited production, extremely rare and high performance models with the blue oval badge from that era are incredibly sought after and highly collectible. As a result, we’ve seen them sell for insane prices, such as the low-mileage Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth, which sold for almost £600,000 in February 2023.

Last year, the highest price ever paid at auction was for an Escort RS Cosworth like the one pictured here.

That example had covered just 76 miles since new and sold for £163,125.

This unique Zinc Yellow Cossie – registrations ‘N104 SVV’ – could come very close to that record price if it goes to the block August 24th during the Iconic Auctioneers Silverstone Festival auction at the legendary race circuit in Northamptonshire.

The auction house expects massive bidding, with the winner to hand over between £100,000 and £140,000.

Should more collectors wish to add one to their garage, there is a good chance it could fetch close to the record price of £163,000.

Considering the Escort RS Cosworth retailed for £19,500 when new in showrooms, this example is expected to sell for seven times its original value.

What makes this car so attractive is its individuality.

The car was ordered by Cosworth Engineering through Ford’s Special Vehicle Operations in October 1995, and was intended solely for Victor Smith, the Finance Director at the time.

When delivered, this was one of the last Escort Cosworths produced, which may make it even more attractive to enthusiasts.

It is the only right-hand drive example in this livery to roll off the production line and was delivered in the soft yellow colour.

Cosworth continued to own Escort Cosworth for another 30 years.

“One look at the condition of the car and it is clear that it has had a very cherished life and has always remained in excellent condition. At the time of viewing it had only 29,034 miles on the odometer,” explains Charles Smalley, automotive specialist at Iconic.

‘Even the supplier, E Ward (Wellingborough) Ltd, dealer sticker and tax disc holder are still on it.

‘Whether you open the door, the tailgate or the bonnet, the state is still the same. You feel like you’re in a time when the RS logo still had real cachet, with its Recaros with Raven leather, cassette player and sliding roof.’

Because this example was made after 1994, it has a smaller turbocharger. The 2.0-liter engine produces 214 hp (the earlier models produced 224 hp, which many said had better balance and handling).

“Given that it is in exceptional condition throughout and unique in its presentation, this is possibly one of the most collectible Escorts to come to market in recent years,” Smalley added in the lot description.

The car has recently been serviced in preparation for sale, including the timing belt and brakes being overhauled. The original exhaust is available should the new owner wish to retain it.

Iconic Auctioneers expects this car to generate a lot of interest. There will undoubtedly be one or two disappointed collectors if – or when – the bidding skyrockets.

But don’t worry, there is another Escort Cossie for sale that is almost as special.

It is one of the first Escort RS Cosworths to be made. It was a pre-production prototype from 1992 that was loaned to Jeremy Clarkson, who used it as his own model until 1993. The model was seen in an episode of Top Gear in the 1990s.

The car currently has 82,500 miles on the clock and experts estimate the car will sell for between £65,000 and £75,000.

The Escort RS Cosworth was introduced in 1992 as a ‘homologation special’ (a road car that formed the basis for a racing machine) and its sole function was to incorporate components that Ford wanted to use in their ‘Group A’ rally cars to ensure success in the World Rally Championship.

The company’s Special Vehicle Engineering department incorporated the technical features of the Sierra Cosworth into the compact Escort bodywork to create this incredible performance car.

Each hand-built example was fitted with a massive rear spoiler, a front splitter and wider body panels, designed to help the car cope with the high speeds it would have to reach during rallies.

Production eventually ceased in 1996.