Full Description
SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMILAR WANTED
An astonishing Ford Escort RS1600i with only 20,062 miles from new.
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 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. Dealer Accessories; Ford rubber mats.
EXTERIOR
This RS1600i is finished in rare Caspian Blue, (Code 3 3), and has a faultless uniform shine across every factory fitted and date stamped panel. The distinctive decals are perfect and the original rear spoiler is straight with no distortion issues and the front spoiler displays clearly the Motorsport logo and part number. 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 23mm. All components are exactly as it left the Ford factory and the underside is fully detailed. Such is the quality of this example it achieved Std. RS1600i 1st Place at the RS Owners Club National Day with its first outing. A very 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 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. Even the gear change hanger is present! 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! A Ford that gives you more.
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 a exhibitionists dream, immaculate in presentation and correct in every way. The twin coil set-up and finned cast alloy rocker cover are proudly on display and the engine stickers have been replaced. 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
Sensational cast alloy wheels are unmarked and are still shod with the manufacturer supplied Dunlop SP Sport Super D4 195/50 VR15 tyres. The matching spare has never been used. Massive tread and not cracked but replacement is advised due to age. 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 but fall short in comparison to modern standards.
HISTORY FILE
Introduced in September 1981, this stunning example was built in the final month of production in July 1983 and is one of 2,600 UK examples and just one of 290 in Caspian Blue. (Source: RS Owners Club). Registered new on the 31st August 1983 by Ford Rallye Sport Dealer, Nesham of Teeside, as a dealer car before transfer of ownership less than one month after on the 19th September 1983 to long-term custodian, Norman Settle. Mr Settle remained the first private owner for 31 years until June 2014. The car was his absolute pride and joy, garaged, cherished and purely used for Sunday best dry outings. The only other registered keeper is Mr Bryan Fallow. The car made the front cover of the November/December 2016 Rallye News, the exclusive magazine for RS Owners and took Std. RS1600i 1st Place at the RS Owners Club National Day in 2019, its first and only competitive entry. A full complement of handbooks are contained within the blue Nesham of Teeside A5 folder. This example will please the most discerning collector wanting one of the very best examples in existence.
HPI Clear.