How many MK1 Escort RS1600 were made?
About 1,600 Mk1 Escort RS1600s were built for road use, with estimates commonly ranging up to around 2,000. Ford does not publish a single definitive number.
The Mk1 Escort RS1600, developed by Ford's Special Vehicle Division, emerged in the early 1970s to meet rally homologation requirements. Because the car was designed to support competition (and because several variants and revisions circulated during its production), exact totals have been the subject of fan registries and automotive historians for decades. This article pulls together the best-supported figures and explains why consensus is elusive.
What counts as the RS1600?
Before we dive into numbers, it's important to define what is included in production totals. The RS1600 label appears on early Mk1 Escorts with the 1.6-litre RS engine and certain road-going spec features. Some registries also include later "RS1600i" or other variants in lists, which can inflate totals if not carefully separated.
Production figures and sources
Below are the ranges most commonly cited by historians, registries and enthusiast clubs. The lack of an official Ford figure means estimates vary by whether they count early press-run test cars, prototypes, and dealer demonstrators.
- Common estimate: around 1,600 road-going Mk1 Escort RS1600s were built.
- Some credible counts place production closer to 2,000 units.
- Other registries quote roughly 1,800–1,900 examples, depending on inclusion criteria.
Regardless of the exact total, the RS1600 Mk1 remains a relatively rare machine in today’s market, with value and desirability rising in proportion to its scarcity.
Notes on the numbers
Numbers differ because Ford did not publish a single, consolidated figure and because enthusiasts sometimes include or exclude variants (such as certain 2-door or late-year revisions) in totals. Registry accuracy is also affected by record-keeping and the way examples are counted across markets.
Implications for collectors and enthusiasts
Rarity of the Mk1 RS1600 is a central driver of collector interest. Condition, originality, and documented history significantly influence value. Buyers should verify provenance through multiple sources, including club registries and archival material, to ensure alignment with the model’s official categorization.
Summary
The Mk1 Escort RS1600 was produced in limited numbers, with most credible estimates placing the total between about 1,600 and 2,000 road cars. The absence of a single official Ford figure has led to continued debate among historians and collectors. What remains clear is that the RS1600’s rarity is a key factor in its enduring appeal among classic Ford enthusiasts.
