Paying €320,000 for an old Ford Escort? Here’s why it’s not so crazy. It might sound hard to believe, but someone just paid this amount of money for a car that’s almost 50 years old, and it’s not a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. It’s a 1976 Ford Escort, a model that might seem pretty ordinary at first glance. This is not the first time a vintage car has been auctioned, but this particular Escort has a history that makes it one of a kind—and very valuable. So, let’s find out more about this car.
A “simple” car that became a legend
This model is the Ford Escort MK II RS1800, a sportier version of the regular Escort. Production started in 1975, and in 1976, the RS1800 version was introduced, built for rally competition. It didn’t look like a race car, but it came with a powerful 1.8-liter engine developed by Cosworth, and once it was tuned for racing, it could reach up to 240 horsepower.
Combined with its agility, rear-wheel drive, and a very precise chassis, it quickly became a favorite in the world of rally racing.
A rally champion
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Ford Escort RS1800 had great success in the World Rally Championship (WRC). Many legendary drivers raced with it, including Björn Waldegård, Hannu Mikkola, and Ari Vatanen. In fact, Vatanen won the WRC Drivers’ Championship in 1981 driving an Escort RS1800, proving how competitive the car still was years after its release. What a history this car has!
What makes this specific Escort so special?
Only 109 units of the RS1800 were ever produced. Out of those, just five were registered by Ford UK’s press department, meaning they were used only for media tests and reviews.
This particular Escort was first registered in 1976, and a year later, it was sold to a family that kept it until now. The car has never been used in racing, which is rare for a model like this, and it’s only done 39,000 kilometers since new. It also spent 35 years in storage, well preserved and untouched.
A carefully maintained restoration
In the late 1980s, the owner took the car to Colin Beverley, a specialist, to have it restored. The engine was removed and sent to Holbay for a rebuild. After that, the car and its newly rebuilt engine were stored for 35 years in a shed—the engine resting on a pallet right next to it.
Even though the car was well protected, time still took a toll. Eventually, it was restored again, once more by Colin Beverley, to bring it back to its original condition.
Auction and sale
The Ford Escort was transferred to the owners’ widow once he passed away. She decided to put it up for auction through Historics Auctioneer and it was finally sold for £278,848, which is close to €320,000. Maybe this price makes sense having in mind the car was in excellent condition, nearly like new, and it runs beautifully (according to what the auction house said).
A car with history
This Escort isn’t just an old car. It’s a rare piece of motorsport history, one of very few in the world in this condition. That’s why someone was willing to pay so much for it.
So, next time you see an old car and think it’s just a rusty piece of history, remember this Ford Escort. Behind its simple look is a story of speed, legends, and years of care that turned it into something truly special. It’s not always about how flashy or expensive a car looks, sometimes, the most valuable things are the ones with the best stories. Have you ever owned anything like this car?