FORD ESCORT RS1600i Mk 3, 1983/A, ONE OF THE BEST, MOT MARCH 2015

The Ford Escort RS1600i was developed by Ford Motorsport in Germany to homologate the Mk3 Escort for Group A and Group N circuit racing. Launched in 1982 and built over a 2 year period there are thought to be less than 400 RHD survivors with far fewer in road going condition. Sharing the same block as other 1. 6 litre Escorts the RS features Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. the CVH engine's cylinder head features mechanical tappets. bored out inlet ports and a different cam profile. The engine is topped off by a finned aluminium 'Motorsport' cam cover and a four branch exhaust manifold. The RS also features a twin coiled. distributorless ignition system and a higher compression ratio to give 115 bhp leading to a top speed of 118mph and 0-60mph in 8. 7 secs. The suspension was also modified for it's intended circuit racer role with a rearranged front anti-roll bar. lowered ride height and Koni dampers all round. The interior features a four spoke RS steering wheel and Scheel front seats trimmed in grey velour. The exterior was treated to a quartet of auxillary lights. extensive striping and 7 spoke 15" alloy wheels.
The example we have for sale is a Series 2 car with body and suspension revisions and an enlarged fuel tank. It was rebuilt by an RS Owner's Club member back in 2007 and is known to the club. it has covered less than 3000 miles since. It has several folders with numerous receipts. photos and parts lists.
Amongst the work carried out in the rebuild was the fitting of a complete new exhaust. all new suspension. new Powerflex bushes. new arms. new steering rack. new front and rear brakes. new brake lines. new Roose hoses. new galvanised fuel tank. new sump. engine cosmetically restored. There are bills for new rear lights. new front wings. new front floor pans. new sills. new battery tray. new rear lower corner yet it is still on it's original wheel arches. There are also receipts for a new starter motor. new drive belt. headset. bolts. clutch and plugs.
Cosmetically the car is in beautiful condition. the paintwork has a lovely lustre to it. the decals have all been refreshed and are correct in position and size. The correct alloy wheels are flawless and the tyres are nearly new. The interior is very good the Scheel grey velour seats being in partcularly good condition. the glovebox is slightly warped but more importantly there are no cracks to the dashboard. It is fitted with a factory sunroof which opens correctly along with a sliding blind. the headlining fits properly and is in great condition.
The transmission has no synchro issues and all the forward gears are easy to engage. reverse occasionally needs holding in so probably needs a minor adjustment to the linkage. The box is nice and quiet with no rumblings. The brakes pull up true with no juddering and no leaks from the cylinders. it has the series 2 rear drums which offer a better pedal feel than earlier cars. The engine starts fine with no smoke and is nice and quiet apart from the rasp from the exhaust! This example benefits from a new set of coils. a common failure on these cars.
Overall this must be one of the best examples of the RS1600i in the UK. they very rarely come to the market and values have been climbing steadliy recently. It is a genuine RS Ford Motorsport homologation special with it's own place in Ford history.
Descriptions of condition on cars like this are subjective so we invite interested parties to come and have a look for themselves. we will be happy to send pics of specific areas if requested.
PLEASE CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO VIEW AS THE CAR IS LOCATED IN DRY STORAGE AT ONE OF OUR DIRECTOR'S HOUSES.
We are open to part exchanges and in addition to modern cars would consider a classic car. motorbike or even a Rolex watch!

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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