What is the most sought after Ford Escort?
The Ford Escort RS Cosworth is widely regarded as the most coveted Escort.
Its blend of rally pedigree, rarity, and dramatic styling has made it the benchmark for what collectors and enthusiasts seek in a performance Ford from the era. Here is a detailed look at why this particular Escort stands out, and which other variants remain highly prized in the market.
Rally roots and rarity explain why it's coveted
What drives the desirability of the RS Cosworth is a combination of its competition lineage, limited production, and distinctive design that has endured in popular culture.
Performance and rally heritage
- Rally pedigree: Developed to meet homologation requirements for Group A rallying, giving it a storied motorsport background.
- Limited production: Built in relatively small numbers, making road-going examples rare today.
- Performance package: A 2.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with a four-wheel-drive layout, delivering strong acceleration and surefooted handling for its era.
- Distinctive styling: Large rear wing, broad fender flares, and a muscular silhouette that has become an unmistakable emblem of late-1990s Ford performance.
- Collector-market momentum: Well-preserved examples consistently attract attention at auctions and from private collectors, often commanding premium prices.
In sum, the RS Cosworth’s combination of race-derived engineering, rarity, and iconic looks cements its status at the top of Escort desirability.
Other notable Escort variants cherished by collectors
While the Cosworth leads the pack, several earlier RS models from the Mk1 and Mk2 generations are also highly valued for their scarcity and historical significance.
Early Mk1 RS models
- Ford Escort Mk1 RS1600: A landmark homologation special from the late 1970s, featuring a 1.6-liter twin-cam engine and a podium-worthy rally pedigree—highly prized by collectors.
- Ford Escort Mk1 RS2000: A later Mk1 performance version with a larger 2.0-liter engine and tuned chassis, sought after for its combination of usability and performance.
The Mk1 era laid the foundation for a culture of performance Escorts, and pristine examples from this period remain among the most desirable non-Cosworth Escorts.
Notable Mk2-era performance models
- Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000: An evolution of the Mk1’s performance formula, with incremental improvements and limited production runs that appeal to collectors seeking a bridge between the original RS line and the Cosworth era.
Together, these earlier models illustrate why Escorts built in the 1970s and 1980s continue to attract strong attention from enthusiasts, even as the Cosworth remains the single most sought-after variant.
Summary
The Ford Escort RS Cosworth stands out as the most sought-after Escort thanks to its rally-bred engineering, limited production, and iconic styling that defines a generation of performance Ford. While the Cosworth leads the market, rare Mk1 RS1600 and RS2000 variants from the 1970s and 1980s also hold substantial appeal for collectors eager to own a piece of Escort history. For buyers and collectors, authenticity, provenance, and condition are the keys to unlocking value in this celebrated lineage.
