1995 Ford Escort Cosworth

Highlights

• Amazing example of iconic WRC homologation special
• Rare Dark Aubergine metallic
• £12k bodywork restoration in 2017
• Huge amount of mechanical and cosmetic maintenance in last three years
• Substantial history file and original wheels included

Overview

Here’s one for the true car nerds: what have the Chrysler Crossfire, Volkswagen Golf Convertible, Triumph TR6, and Nissan Micra C+C got in common with the Ford Escort Cosworth?

The answer is that they were all (at some stage) built in Osnabrück, by German coachbuilder and design house Karmann. And of the above, much as we like a hairy-chested Triumph TR, we know which one we’d choose. This one. One of the most iconic Group A rally car homologation specials ever made.

The Ford Escort Cosworth was built on Ford’s behalf by Karmann between 1992 and 1996, allowing the Blue Oval to compete on the world rally stage and achieve a total of 10 WRC victories. Under the skin, it had much more in common with the Ford Sierra than it did the Escort – but this was deliberate. Having recognised the length as the Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4x4’s biggest failing as a rally car, Ford’s motorsport engineers realised that they took a section out of the floorpan, they’d be left with a car more suited to compete with the short wheelbase Subaru Imprezas and Toyota Corollas that were enjoying rally success.

As a result, the Sierra platform was chopped down and a body that was a facsimile of the Mk5 Escort dropped on top, though in reality it was only the roof, windscreen, doors and rear light units that were the same as on the humdrum family hatchback. The rest was bespoke, hence why all were hand-built by one of the best coachbuilders in the business.

Today, the Escort Cosworth is spoken of in hushed tones by rally fans, Ford fanatics and car enthusiasts alike, and those who own them tend to tick all three of those boxes. The owner of this one certainly does, but having scratched his WRC itch he’s now bought a Lotus, meaning you can have the chance to buy what must be one of the best Escort Cosworths in the country, from an owner so fastidious that he walked away with the ‘Best Paint’ award in a recent local show and shine event. During his tenure the car has seen a huge amount of maintenance in addition to cosmetic care. Finished in rare and beautiful Dark Aubergine metallic, this is a great-looking example, and if you’d prefer it on the factory alloys there’s a superb set with fresh rubber included in the sale.

History and documentation

• UK V5C in the name of the vendor
• MOT May 2025
• Large file of invoices including one for £12,000 of bodywork restoration in 2017
• The clocks have been changed twice: once in 2007 at 94k miles (reset to zero) and again between the 2022 and 2023 MOT tests to cure a misbehaving rev counter; the total mileage is estimated to be around 110k miles
• Service book stamped at: 2,855 miles (1996, main dealer), 10,513 miles (1996, main dealer), 36,136 miles (1997, main dealer), 43,311 miles (1998, specialist), 46,000 miles (1998, main dealer), 63,522 miles (2000, specialist), 70,176 miles (2001 - specialist), 79,394 miles (specialist, 2002)
• Invoices for regular servicing work since then
• Old logbooks showing previous owners back to early 2000s
• Old MOT records
• Restored in 2017
• Large amount of mechanical and cosmetic maintenance by the current owner
• Toad ai 606 cat 1 immobiliser

Interior

• Refurbished thickly bolstered Recaro sports seats
• Genuine four-spoke RS steering wheel
• New old stock ashtray and Ford floor mats
• Correct Cosworth dashboard badge and supplementary dial gauge pack
• The car is equipped with air con but was degassed and belt removed (which was apparently common back in the day) and could be recommissioned with a different bottom pulley, belt and regas
• The interior fan stopped working last year and, with the forums advising that it’s a fuse board issue with dry joints, Odell motorsport refurbished the fuse board
• Genuine Cosworth tool kit, spare wheel and wheel cover
• Inner window door seals freshly renewed – very hard to find
• Alloy Cosworth pedals
• Alcantara headlining and gear lever gaiter
• Electric sunroof

Exterior

• Absolutely beautiful Dark Aubergine metallic paint
• Correct Cosworth body kit
• Carbon fibre front splitter
• Rear spoiler rubber seal, rear light clusters and full lock set replaced with OEM parts
• New side and front indicators
• Bonnet stay clip and rubber replaced
• Recent new windscreen wipers
• Compomotive 18-inch alloys (ordered direct from the manufacturer to ensure correct offset, with nuts and centre caps) fitted with Michelin Pilot rubber
• Original alloys also included in sale and in excellent condition
• Rear quarter window rubbers replaced as they had shrunk with second hand but OEM items
• Appears superb underneath
• No dents or evidence of previous damage
• Paint finish is truly lovely – one minor chip on bonnet and another on the very bottom corner of the driver’s door, but very difficult to see, otherwise stunning
• All correct Cosworth badges
• High downforce rear spoiler in superb order

Mechanical

• 2.0-litre Cosworth ‘YPB’ turbocharged 4cyl
• Five-speed Ferguson MT-75 heavy duty transmission
• 0-60mph in 5.7 secs and 224bhp as standard but is running a PJ Motorsport chip which would put it at a minimum of 260bhp
• Full set of adjustable Koni dampers and Graham Goode Racing uprated springs which lower the car by 12mm at the front 18mm at the rear
• Polybushes on rear
• Reyland large front disc conversion and running EBC Redstuff pads all round
• GGR idle control valve
• The vendor tells us that he has had installed a new cam belt, tensioner,bottom pulley and bolt, OEM thermostat (with front and rear housing) and water pump all sourced from Burtons and that it’s filled with Evans waterless coolant
• The following old stock new OEM parts have reportedly been replaced during the current owner’s tenure: throttle body, rear suspension drop links, coolant header tank
• Recent new front drive shafts
• Mongoose stainless steel exhaust with new oem rubber mounts
• Recent mechanical check and overhaul by well-known performance car specialist Odell Motorsport who replaced the spark plugs, engine oil and filter and changed the oil in the rear differential, gearbox and transfer box
• The ABS light is currently showing but the owner has ordered four ABS sensors which will be installed prior to the sale
• Once that is addressed, the car is being sold in what the vendor believes to be excellent mechanical order with no known faults or issues

Summary

Rally legends very quickly become collectible, as do Fast Fords. Combine the two and you have a truly desirable package.

But the Escort Cosworth isn’t just an object of yearning because of its badge and heritage; for it’s also a fantastic car to drive. Beautifully made, sharp handling and intoxicatingly fast, it’s a 1990s icon for a reason – and this one is an absolute gem. It won’t be cheap, but it’ll be worth every penny of what it sells for, both as a plaything for now and as a future investment.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Cambridgeshire.