Mk3 RS1600i

From a through and through motorsport inspired RS1600i to a cracking road going version! This Mk3 looks amazing in red and is available from East Lancashire Classics. Looking nice and standard as if straight out of  the Thomas Motors showroom!

A beautiful 1983 Ford Motorsport developed Ford Escort RS1600i which has covered 75,694 miles from new. Following long term dry stored ownership of 19 years, the difficult decision was made to finally part with what was an excellent example of this highly regarded and collectable Fast Ford. Owning a body shop, the new owner wasn’t quite satisfied with a car that had picked up a few stone chips and storage marks throughout its years…hence he decided to to treat it to a fresh coat of its factory Sunburst Red paint and a general freshen up…the result is what you now see in the 90 plus photographs. It was then featured in the July 2015 issue of Classic Ford Magazine and subsequently found its new and current home of over 5 years. It has covered less than 1,300 dry miles since.

Still wearing all of its factory fitted body panels, it is needless to say that the panel gap is superb and the car sits perfectly on its correct Koni shock absorbers. It has never been chopped and mucked about with…just freshened up to bring it back to showroom standard. The unique front and rear spoilers are the correct and original factory fitted items and the Ford Motorsport logo and part number is clear for all to see. A quick look down both sides will confirm that it is arrow straight and ripple free. Plastic bumper corners and over riders are scuff free and the correct Hella driving and fog lights are original and still crystal clear. The factory fit tinted glass is excellent and the factory fitted tilt and slide glass sunroof is super smooth in its operation and the sunroof gutters are rust free… some light water marking can be seen in the sunroof glass. The unique RS1600i bonnet, side and tail gate graphics are superb. Original supplying dealer number plates front and rear and rear window sticker proudly display Thomas motors of Blackpool.

Internally is just beautiful. Personally, we have always been of the opinion that the RS1600i interior is one of, if not the nicest interiors that Ford have ever produced in a RS model. The Shark Grey Crushed Velour Sports Seats are truly exceptional and amongst the best that we have ever seen. The seats were professionally re-foamed and the original seat cloth was refitted…they really are exceptional! The soft touch dashboard that is prone to cracking is completely crack free…it is remarkable! Door cards front and rear, carpets and black perforated headlining are again superb. The correct factory optional electric aerial is fully operational along with the electric windows. The rear parcel shelf is completely straight and free from any speaker holes and the rear boot plastics are as new. When you sit inside this car, it really is a special place to be!

The 7 spoke RS alloys with the correct RS1600i casting marks have been refurbished and are all fitted with as new and matching tyres that have a similar tread pattern to the the original Dunlop Sport D4s. The immaculate boot floor houses the 5th correct alloy and is fitted with a Dunlop Sport D4 tyre that still has its sticker on. 4 additional Dunlop Sport D4 tyres with as new tread are also present. Please note that due to the age of these we would advise that these be used for show purposes only.

A beautifully clean engine bay awaits the lucky new owner and the correct and original twin coils are still in place…

for more photos have a look over on their website  – East Lancashire Classics