FORD ESCORT RS1800

2-door 4-seater saloon.

Famous third-generation Escort 'homologation special', built in tiny (undisclosed) numbers. Basically as bread-and-butter Escorts, but with 1.8-litre/115bhp BDA 16-valve engine, special gearbox, firmer suspension and fat tyres. First few made at Halewood, most begin re-engined RS Mexicos (see below) imported from West Germany. In fully modified form (2-litres, ZF gearbox, big axle, four disc brakes, etc) a formidable rally car. As full house 'RS' it won World Rally Championship in 1979 and is still rallied around the world today. 110-112mph in standard form.