This is a fascinating post, as the seller apparently have several desirable 1980s-market European Fords for sale, with the centerpiece being this Ford Escort RS Turbo that was coated in Cosmoline and stuck into storage close to 20 years ago. The seller has repeatedly pulled the listing down and posted it back up for this Escort, owing to what he suspected was fake bidding. In Europe, “fast Fords” like this one are covered by enthusiasts, not entirely unlike our reaction to the Fox body here in the states. The seller has this Escort and several other desirable Fords for sale, all of which have clearly been in storage for years.
There’s a very devoted following for the turbocharged Ford Escort in Europe, more so than we ever saw with the limited offering of four-cylinder, turbo models sold stateside. The Ford Mustang SVO, Merkur XR4Ti, and others were formidable performance machines but the following for them was muted at best. After all, if you’re a die-hard Fox body Mustang enthusiast, are you going to stick with the tried and true V8 models or suddenly up and become a turbo guy? Not likely. However, in Europe, finding a car like this and wiping off the Cosmoline is one of the most incredible finds you can imagine.
The Escort RS was not tremendously powerful, clocking in at a modest 132 horsepower. But it also weighed a mere 2,000 pounds, so it certainly moved out well enough even with less than 150 horses. Hip-hugging Recaro seats came standard, along with a gorgeous three-spoke steering wheel. Of course, you get all the other boy-racer bits, like some aero enhancements, alloy wheels, auxiliary driving lamps on the bumper, and a few subtle badges. The Escort RS shown here is said to have gone into storage as a running car, but the history file from the UK shows some potential issues with structural concerns.
Still, we know that Carfax reports can present plenty of discrepancies, so hopefully there are no major rust issues lurking. The Escort is listed here on eBay, but that’s not all the seller has that has recently come out of long-term storage. This Fiesta RS Turbo has lots of active bidding and is currently sitting at £14,200. He also has a very tidy Ford Capri Laser, listed here on eBay, with bids to £7,100. These cars represent a very intriguing mix of collector-grade fast Fords, and likely the first time in years all of these cars have existed in the same place. Which one would you choose?
Meh, more about cosmoline. Cosmoline is an oily waxed based compound, used exclusively by the military as a rust inhibitor. Nasty stuff, and practically impossible to remove. I remember military Jeeps and motorcycles were “packed in cosmoline” and required military strength solvents to remove it. To coat a car with it seems a bit much. Escorts always seemed to live in the shadow of the Pinto, but were actually pretty good cars. In the 80s, just about everyone tried their darndest to satisfy the speed urge, with the turbocharger the almighty savior. Gas mileage was still very much the hot button, and seemed the turbo was the answer for the best for both worlds. Trouble was, people that had turbocharged motors drove them as such, and eventually fell out of favor.
Here’s a little known fact( Cliffy Claven) I was astonished to learn, of all the cars she could have had, Princess Diana had a black Escort Turbo RS just like this. It had a standard Escort grill to help the Princess keep a lower profile. 5 years before her death, the car was given away as a radio contest promotion. I believe it’s part of a collection in the UK who purchased it for $840,000. That would be the one to have, it seems.
Looks like dirty Escort with the steering wheel on the wrong side for me.
Wonder if they got any cosmoline into the parts and areas that are actually prone to corrosion, or if it’s just on the paint, glass, and plastic.
I have a thing for the earlier RWD (right wheel drive) twin cam Escorts.
The aftermarket parts industry for the old rear drive Escorts in the U.K. is so extensive and complete, that one outfit in Wales is making all new twin cam rear dive Escorts for sale at well over 6 figures.
This European Escort with front wheel drive of course replaced the previous generation rear drive Escorts sold in Europe. In the U.S. the Escort would replace the Pinto. The original intent was for one design to be used in both the U.S. and Europe with minor differences to accommodate local market preferences. From what I have read, by the time it was all said and done the Euro Escort and the American version shared just one part. Sorry, but I don’t recall from the story what that part was.
Re: removal of cosmoline: Years ago (80’s) I worked at a detail shop in the Seattle area. The shop had a contract with several Asian import dealers to prep their new cars. We used a product applied with a garden pressure sprayer. Applied in the shade on a cool car and after letting it sit for 20-30 minutes, once hit with a medium pressure jet of warm water it dissipated without a trace. Don’t recall what it was but it didn’t harm plastics either.
Years ago, brake discs came coated with cosmoline and I think it was kerosene that we used to remove it. Now, they’re brake rotors?
At least they didn’t Cosmoline the interior…
Fun cars – handle soooo much better than US Escorts per my Euro friends who had a lesser model.
Followed the links and to answer the question, Ford Capris Laser first. I had never heard of these things but love the style. Reminds me of something, Jensen maybe. The Fiesta second. Small I know but what a blast to drive.
The US Escorts were nothing like the English ones.
And I too,would love to have a “REAL” one,with RWD,
but can’t afford one now.
I drove my Cortina MKIII to look at this one in Gilroy,-
California many years ago.I should have bought it.
This is a Ml 1 Escort though, not a Mk 2.
I know it is (or was).Almost as easy to find for sale as a MKII
in the US.