Collectors of classic cars and devoted Fast Ford enthusiasts will soon have a rare opportunity to acquire two of the most desirable Ford Escorts ever built. Next month, a pair of exceptional Mk2 RS1800s - among the finest examples known to exist - will go under the hammer, each expected to command around £250,000.
With only 109 units produced between March 1975 and September 1977, the RS1800 has achieved near-mythical status among Ford aficionados. Built as a homologation model for rallying, it combined the rugged Escort Mexico bodyshell with a 1.8-litre, 16-valve Cosworth engine, effectively translating Ford’s motorsport success into a road-legal machine.
The two cars being offered by Iconic Auctioneers at the NEC Classic Motor Show in Birmingham on 8 November represent both ends of the perfection spectrum: one, a painstakingly restored masterpiece; the other, an untouched time capsule.
The First of Its Kind: ‘KPR 111P’
The first car, registration KPR 111P, holds remarkable provenance as the very first production RS1800 built in 1975. Beyond its historical significance, it’s widely regarded as the best-restored example in existence.
Following a ten-year restoration, it now presents in flawless concours condition - the kind of perfection suitable for a museum exhibit. Every component has been returned to factory specification, from its period-correct Pirelli Cinturato tyres and Motorcraft battery to the fully functional original radio.
Its credentials are impeccable: more than 200 show awards, including Concours Car of the Show at the Ford RS Owners Club National Day 2022, and even a 1:43-scale Corgi model crafted in its likeness. Iconic Auctioneers anticipates a sale price in the region of £200,000–£250,000.
The Untouched Original: ‘SCE 383S’
Joining it on the auction block will be SCE 383S, a 1977 RS1800 that stands as a monument to originality. Unrestored and remarkably well preserved, it retains its factory-fitted bodyshell, drivetrain, interior, and even its PDI (pre-delivery inspection) stickers.
Showing just 34,811 miles, the car offers an authentic glimpse into what a brand-new RS1800 was like nearly fifty years ago. Kept in dehumidified storage by one of the UK’s most respected Ford collectors, it has been carefully maintained and only lightly driven.
“This car is the benchmark for authenticity - the reference point for all RS1800s,” said Iconic Auctioneers. Although no official guide price has been released, it is expected to achieve a similar figure to its restored counterpart.
Market Momentum
Interest in RS1800s shows no sign of slowing. Earlier this year, another 1976 example set a world record when it sold for £278,848 after a frenzied bidding war.
Rob Hubbard, Managing Director and Principal Auctioneer at Iconic Auctioneers, called the upcoming sale “an extraordinary privilege.”
“To have not one but two of the world’s most significant Ford Escort RS1800s in the same auction is remarkable,” he said. “Each represents a different kind of perfection - one restored to absolute concours standard, the other preserved in pure factory form. Together, they capture why Ford’s RS legacy continues to inspire such passion among collectors.”
