1988 Ford Escort RS Turbo - Project

Continuing the success of the Series 1 RS Turbo, the Series 2 was sleeker and more refined. Finished in 'Diamond White', the car does appear to have been repainted at some point, and this has crazed over time, some of which has flaked off. Even so, this is a great base to start with and will certainly be a great project for any Ford enthusiast. The images are taken from a range of angles to show the car as you would see it in person, so please take the time to fully assess the high-resolution photos and videos before forming your own opinion of the paintwork. Walking around the RS Turbo, the bodywork appears to be in good condition, with no obvious signs or areas of corrosion. Even in the usual areas of concern, like the battery tray and inside the boot, they are in good order. Geoff has also spent some time under the car, and he tells us that the car hasn’t had any welding carried out in the past that he could see. Geoff told us there is corrosion in the inner sills at the rear, which will require attention. The panel gaps appear to be even, and no dings or dents were spotted. We’ve highlighted our observations in more detail through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take the time to review all media files to assess the car’s condition for yourself. The Mk4 dashboard is in good order, with no splits or cracks across the top. The instruments are working correctly, with the odometer showing ~63,552 miles. Pure 1980s theatre. With a slight amount of turbo lag, feel the boost build, but once past 3,000rpm, you’re away! A limited-slip differential in the Series 2 tames the front wheels, allowing you to put the power down more efficiently, but keep a hold of the wheel to steady the torque steer! Remember that feeling? There's a bit of work to do… But, oh, it will be worth it! The windows appear to be in good condition, with only some light age-related marks, as expected for their age. The window seals have started to show signs of age. All the lights appear to be in good condition, with no damage to the lenses. There does look to be some discolouration on the reflectors for the spotlights and headlights. A glass sunroof is fitted, but we didn’t try to open this because it has been closed for so many years. Please view the photos and video below to review the condition of the glass and trim for yourself. Fitted with the original “dog-leg” alloy wheels, these are in good condition for their age, with just a few minor age-related marks, and they don't appear to have been refurbished. The tyres have perished and split quite badly; they do, however, still hold air. Please take the time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels and tyres, so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn or over 10 years old. Fitted with the original Recaro seats, these are in very good condition with minimal signs of age, especially on the bolsters. The rear seat is also in good order, as are both door panels. The original carpets are in good condition, again with no real signs of heavy use throughout the car. Inside the boot, there is a spare alloy wheel, and you can clearly see the original condition of the boot floor, which is excellent. The 1.6-litre turbo fires up without hesitation. Geoff did start work on the car with essentials such as a new fuel tank, spark plugs, HT leads, a replacement metering head, timing belt, water pump and valve stem oil seals. The RS has a five-speed gearbox, and we moved it around the yard with no problems engaging the gears. Pretty much as it left the factory, the original head unit is in place; no doubt the speakers will have seen better days, but they are an easy replacement, and it is nice to see the original parcel shelf is there with no 6x9 speaker holes. Unfortunately, when Geoff got the car, it didn’t come with any paperwork other than the V5C, and, being off the road for so long, there is no real MOT history apart from two certificates. however what there is are two letters explaining the history of the car and it has been in the same family from new. Even with the lack of history, just look at the condition; it has pretty much been frozen in time. This is a fantastic base for taking on a fast Ford project for any enthusiast, which, depending on how much work you can do yourself, could be a very worthwhile investment. The car runs but couldn’t be driven and will require recovery to its new owner. We’ve carried out our usual seller checks, including photo ID and V5 verification, as well as a history check on the vehicle. This is a professional HPI check that will highlight if the car has previously been stolen, recorded as being involved in an accident or has any outstanding finance. Please note, this does not include a mileage history check. We’ve summarised our own view of the car based on information provided by the seller; however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video each car in high-resolution detail so you can make your own assessment from the comfort of your home. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time reviewing everything in this listing. Viewings are also welcomed on all our listings. Please get in touch to arrange a suitable time; we just need to speak to you first and receive valid photo ID before confirming. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, no matter how small, please ask the owner in the comments section before placing your bids, as bids cannot be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car, just like at a traditional auction house. As we mentioned, the car has been standing for ~20+ years; therefore, it will require some suspension and brake parts before being used on the road. The original steering wheel and gear knob are in good condition, with minimal signs of wear.