Full Description
SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMIALR WANTED
A stonking Strato Silver Ford Motorsport developed Escort RS1600i with 68,711 miles
EQUIPMENT
Colour coded bumpers with front and rear overriders, laminated windscreen and all round safety glass, RS aerodynamic front and rear spoilers, RS1600i decals, Ford spot lamps, remote control door mirrors, RS 4-spoke leather trimmed steering wheel, cassette holder, 2 speed plus intermittent wipers, tailgate wash wipe, head restraints, side window demisters, perforated headlining, coat hooks, vanity mirror on passenger sun visor, cigar lighter, rear ashtrays, 3-speed heater fan, coin box, trip recorder, tachometer, roof mounted digital clock. Factory options; Tinted glass, tilt/slide sunroof, rear seatbelts, RST21P radio cassette.
EXTERIOR
Introduced in September 1981, Ford intended on making just 5,000 RS1600i’s for homologation requirements, but the car sold so well that 8,659 cars were in fact built with just 2,000 for the UK market. The exterior of this example is finished in Ford Strato Silver (code V6), the equal rarest of colours along with Graphite Grey, only 250 of each being produced. (Source; RS Owners Club). The metallic paintwork has a striking uniform and polished finish, complimented by the correct RS1600i decals on the bonnet, boot lid and sides. The sunroof has minor outer edge discoloration and the driving and fog lamps have been changed for Ford items. The original rear spoiler is perfectly straight with no distortion issues and the front spoiler displays clearly the Motorsport logo and part number. All further exterior trim sections are in excellent order and the tinted glass is number plate etched. A superb and now very rare example of the first front wheel drive Ford ever to wear the RS badge!
INTERIOR
The interior of this RS1600i is in truly fantastic order. Finished in Shark Grey Crushed Velour (trim code TC), the seats and deep side bolsters have retained all structural integrity and the matching door cards and perforated headlining are in pristine condition. The deep grey carpets are clean and free from undue wear thanks to be protected by four genuine rubber floor mats. The dashboard has two minor cracks and all interior equipment is functional including the fuel thrust cut-off warning lights and optional Ford RST21P radio cassette. The RS 4-spoke leather trimmed steering wheel and special gearshift gaiter and knob defy their age. The boot area is spotlessly clean including the immaculate rear parcel shelf which has remained free from speaker holes. A Ford that gives you more.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Fitted with Fords 1600 Compound Value angle Hemispherical chamber (CVH) unit producing a manufacturer quoted 115 BHP. Mated to the Bosch K Jetronic Fuel Injection System and incorporating deceleration fuel shut off, the car has a top speed of 118mph and achieves 0-60 in 8.7 seconds. Purists will relish the original engine stickers still attached and date stamps to the inner wings along with the obvious twin coil set up. The gear changes are light and exact, a pleasure to operate.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
The original 15 X 6 inch RS seven spoke alloy wheels are unmarked and correct to the RS1600i model having only one spoke on each wheel stamped with the Ford emblem as opposed to the more common RS Turbo fitments with three stamped spokes. The wheels are shod with matching quality 195/50/R15 Uniroyal tyres all round and amazingly the spare is still a Dunlop D40 item as fitted new. Diagonally split hydraulic circuits with tandem master cylinder, vacuum servo assistance and 9.4” ventilated discs up front bring the car to a halt but far short of modern standards.
HISTORY FILE
Registered new on 23rd August 1983, this cherished example has covered just 68,847 miles from new. The comprehensive history file includes virtually every MOT certificate to easily and confidently validate the miles covered. Accompanying Ford main dealer invoices and a hand written diary further cement the provenance of this rare car. Artefacts such as the original Ford build sheet and kept tax discs neatly attached to most MOT certificates will please collectors. All handbooks as supplied when the car was new including the original service book stamped and owner certificate data page correctly filled are all present. A Ford RS1600i supplementary workshop manual is included. The last service was carried out at 68,711 miles and a cam-belt change at 68,296. Three keys are present including a working torch key which operates all locks and ignition.
A remarkably well preserved example of a rare car that is fast becoming highly desirable, most definitely one for the true enthusiast.
HPI Clear.
