SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMILAR WANTED
A fantastic Ford Escort RS1600i with only 46,115 miles and two owners.
EQUIPMENT
Colour coded bumpers with front and rear overriders, RS aerodynamic front and rear spoilers, front driving and fog lamps, laminated windscreen, RS1600i decals, fuel cut-off warning lights, RS 4-spoke leather trimmed steering wheel, tailgate wash wipe, tachometer, roof mounted digital clock, Ford P21 push button radio. Factory Options; Tinted glass, tilt/sliding sunroof, central door and boot locking, electrically operated front windows, electrically operated radio aerial, two rear seat belts. Dealer Accessories; Ford mud flaps, Ford rubber over mats.
EXTERIOR
This outstanding RS1600i is finished in Sunburst Red, (Code P 1), and boasts incredibly rare and verified first paint credentials. The completely original paintwork is in remarkable condition with a gorgeous bright shine and uniform finish. All factory fitted panels are pin straight and in fantastic order with absolutely no repair work evident nor required. The underside is clean and lacking any excess applied underseal to allow easy visual appreciation of the perfect structural integrity. Correct features of the RS1600i includes the shortened rear roof drip rail, front and rear spoilers as well as the distinctive decals which are factory application. There are light frontal stone chips and some pitting to the painted rear bumper which have all been left untreated to uphold total originality. Original light clusters, tinted glass and Ford main dealer number plates remain fitted. Outstanding Ford preservation and very difficult to find.
INTERIOR
Finished in Shark Grey Crushed Velour, (Code TC), the special RS seats and deep side bolsters have retained perfect structural integrity and the matching door cards and perforated headlining are in pristine condition. The carpets are in excellent order having been protected from new by genuine Ford rubber over mats. The original steering wheel displays no undue wear and the dashboard has no cracks. All interior equipment is functional including the fuel thrust cut-off warning lights and standard Ford P21 push button radio, although the clock display has partially failed. The boot area is spotlessly clean including the immaculate rear parcel shelf and the original colour code sticker to the inner rear panel. A preserved interior commensurate with two fastidious Ford enthusiast owners and just 46,115 miles from new.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Fitted with Fords transverse mounted 1600 OHC Compound Value angle Hemispherical chamber (CVH) unit producing 115 BHP. Mated to the Bosch K-Jetronic Fuel Injection System incorporating deceleration fuel shut-off, special alloy cylinder head and camshaft the car has a top speed of 118mph and achieves 0-60 in 8.7 seconds. The engine bay is very clean, original and correct to Ford specification with delicate labels still attached. The twin coil set-up and finned cast alloy rocker cover are proudly on display, as are original inner wings showing Ford emblem and date stamps as well as factory original VIN and body plates to the slam panel. The gear changes are light and a joy to use with the unique 0.83 fifth gear ratio fitted only to the RS1600i.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Correct cast alloy wheels with Ford Motorsport part number stampings to one spoke only are shod with Dunlop 195/50 VR15 tyres with masses of tread all round. Further originality is present with the factory supplied 1983 date marked Dunlop SP Sport Super D4 spare tyre. Diagonally split hydraulic circuits with tandem master cylinder, vacuum servo assistance and 9.4” ventilated discs up front bring the car to an adequate halt.
HISTORY FILE
Introduced in September 1981, this stunning RS1600i was built in June 1983, the penultimate month before final production in July 1983, one of 2,600 UK examples and one of 560 in Sunburst Red. (Source: RS Owners Club). Registered new on the 1st August 1983 by Ford Main Dealer, Stormont of Tunbridge Wells, the car has covered a verified 46,115 miles from new with just two owners. The first owner, Mr Thompson, eagerly awaited delivery of his car after carefully perusing the sales brochure, still in the history file, and highlighting the factory options he wanted! There are even pages from a December 1982 copy of Motoring News whereby the RS1600i was featured and kept in the history file! In May 1985 the car was sold to the only other registered owner, Mr Ritchie who continued to cherish the car with annual servicing before placing it in storage. A full complement of handbooks including the stamped service book are contained within the blue Stormont of Tunbridge Wells A5 folder. The comprehensive history folder dates back to the first owners V5 registration document and old MOT’s certificates from the very first in 1986 until it was placed in storage. A large collection of service and maintenance invoices leave in no doubt this rare Ford RS has been a cherished example and the superb performance of the car reflects this. A truly special Ford Rallye Sport.
HPI Clear.