FOR SALE
A sensational Diamond White Ford Escort RS1600i with only 22,963 miles.
EQUIPMENT
Colour coded bumpers with front and rear overriders, RS aerodynamic front and rear spoilers, front driving and fog lamps, laminated windscreen, RS1600i decals, remote control door mirrors, RS 4-spoke leather trimmed steering wheel, 2 speed plus variable intermittent wipers, tailgate wash wipe, illuminated rocker switches, 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 incorporating fuel thrust cut-off warning light, roof mounted digital clock. Factory Options; Tilt/Slide glass sunroof, Ford RST21P radio stereo cassette. Dealer Accessories; Ford mudflaps, Ford rubber floor mats, cassette holder, RS1600i dash top protector.
EXTERIOR
This RS1600i is finished in iconic Ford Diamond White, (Code B 3), and has a faultless uniform shine across every factory fitted and date stamped panel. The distinctive original RS decals are perfect and the rear wing is straight with no distortion issues and the front spoiler displays clearly the Motorsport logo and part number. There is a tiny chip to the Ford front windscreen and a touched-in mark to the bonnet which has never been painted. The correct stance is instantly recognisable as this example still sits on the special Koni shock absorbers only fitted to the RS1600i lowering the car by two inches. All components are exactly as it left the Ford factory and the underside is spotlessly clean and fully detailed. A rare and desirable example of the first front wheel drive Ford ever to wear the RS badge.
INTERIOR
The interior of this RS1600i is in truly immaculate. Finished in Shark Grey Crushed Velour (Code TC), the special RS seats and deep side bolsters have retained perfect structural integrity with no sagging and the matching door cards and perforated headlining are in pristine condition. The deep grey carpets are spotless and free from undue wear and are protected by four genuine Ford waffle rubber floor mats. The dashboard has no cracks and all interior equipment is functional including the fuel thrust cut-off warning lights. The RS 4-spoke leather trimmed steering wheel and special gearshift gaiter and knob defy their age with minimal marks. The boot area is spotlessly clean including the immaculate rear parcel shelf and the colour code sticker is attached to the back panel. Incredibly the TC Key Number is still inscribed on the boot floor!
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 remarkably clean with even the delicate factory stickers being original. The twin coil set-up and finned cast alloy rocker cover are proudly on display ready for bonnet up exhibiting! The gear changes are light and a joy to use with the unique 0.83 fifth gear ratio fitted only to the RS1600i to close the gap between fourth and fifth gear.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Pristine cast aluminium wheels are unmarked with the Ford Motorsport logo on one spoke only and shod in Dunlop Sport Blue Response 195/50 R15 tyres. The manufacturer supplied Dunlop SP Sport Super D4 195/50 VR15 tyre remains in the boot as a spare. Diagonally split hydraulic circuits with tandem master cylinder, vacuum servo assistance and 9.4” ventilated discs with special calipers up front bring the car to an adequate halt.
HISTORY FILE
Introduced in September 1981, this stunning example was built in April 1983 and is one of 2,600 UK examples and just one of 530 in Diamond White. (Source: RS Owners Club). Registered new on the 26th May 1983 by the Ford Motor Co Ltd in Brentwood Essex, it had one private owner, Mr Rose until September 1984 when Mr Robbert Goddard purchased it. Mr Goddard paid £6,700 plus £100 for the warranty Care Car Plan, (the same price the car cost new over a year earlier!), from Tower Garage (Stokenchurch) Ltd. Incredibly, the Goddard family remained the cars custodians until 2019 after Geoff Goddard inherited the vehicle from his father in 2012. Mr Goddard seniors ownership is beautifully detailed by his son in writing explaining fully his life with the car during their 35 years of ownership. The car has since been owned by RS Owners enthusiasts including Mr Gary Ball who had five White performance Escorts from the Mk1 Twin Cam to the mighty Mk5 RS Cosworth, all making the front cover of Classic & Sports Car in December 2020, a copy of which is included in the history file. This example will please the most discerning collector wanting one of the very best examples.
MOT July 2025, HPI Clear.