When Americans think of the Ford Escort, they typically imagine a throwaway econobox with nearly zero redeeming qualities to enthusiasts. Things in Europe were and are quite different, though. Ford was hot on the heels of Volkswagen when the Golf GTi caused a sensation back in the '70s, starting the hot hatch trend.
Ford followed suit with a long line of fast Escorts, all of which were based on models far superior to the ones that wore the Escort nameplate in the US. Some were even sold as rally homologation specials. Now, it's for sale in Florida on trusty Bring a Trailer. Powered by a high-strung, turbocharged 1. Truth be told, it'd even give a contemporary Mustang GT a run for its money with its low weight and eagerness to fly down wooded B-roads.
Inside, you'll find a kilometer-per-hour speedometer and grey cloth Recaro bucket seats. Outside, the Escort RS certainly looks the part, with 15" aluminum wheels plenty big on a car this size , aggressive spoilers, red badging, and PIAA fog lights.
Covering just 34, kilometers in its life about 21, miles , it's clear that this Escort has lived a pampered existence.
With photographic proof of its squeaky-clean undercarriage and recent services, we'd say that this Escort RS makes for a good buy for the hot hatch enthusiast looking for something different. Bring a Trailer.
