Nope, not a typo. Sixty thousand British Pounds was paid at Silverstone auctions for this series 1 Ford Escort RS Turbo this week. Now, we’re not averse to paying firm prices for a decent classic car, and something is worth what someone else is prepared to pay, but this really isn’t a decent classic car to us MotorPunks. Here are some pics; Before frothing Ford fans fill our inbox with an angry defence of this most wildly over-priced example of their marque, lets consider what usually makes an old car into a classic, one worth paying £60k for. Things such as; Motorsport success (the MKIII Escort has barely any), technical innovation (it has a turbo but it’s otherwise utterly normal), exclusivity (nope), outstanding performance (it was quick enough for it’s time, I suppose), styling (it’s a mass-produced hatchback with go-faster bolt-ons), celebrity appeal (Lady Diana owned one, pfft), an iconic engine (CVH!), handling (FWD, as standard they were OK, no 205Gti though) and reliability (watch it rot). It’s nice enough but, £60k? Really?! OK, so this particular example is old, clean and original – but so is my Granny. We MotorPunks grew up in the ’80s. We get the appeal of owning modern classics, “car club 18-30” kinda cars, and we can even understand why you might pay a little over the odds for something that stirs some daft teenage nostalgia (see above for some of that) – but sixty grand for this is surely fifty-five too far. It’s over the twice the price of this immaculate Sierra Cosworth, for flip’s sake! This price isn’t an isolated case of lunacy from a single ‘money no object’ collector at auction, either, there were eighteen people bidding on this car until the hammer fell. Can anyone explain the appeal to us? Pics and info from here. 18 Responses Daz Smith November 21, 2015 I agree, but you’re still gonna be found murdered to death in a Dagenham lay-by. “The only clue Police have is the thick cloud of blue smoke left by the suspects” Reply Kev November 21, 2015 Were the auctioneers giving out free drugs to the bidders before and during the auction? Reply Steve McD November 24, 2015 A £60k Escort you say? Nope. Can’t help you. Don’t get it either. Reply Tim Lloyd November 26, 2015 Pure speculation, I reckon. As ‘classic’ Ford prices continue to climb, someone’s probably taking a (very) long view on this. What would be funny however, is if this was a confused overseas bidder thinking they’d bought a mk1 Escort. Reply Ted Andrews April 12, 2017 Lads,its fine you don’t get it, and can’t join us hard working collectors buying cars at this level. But don’t worry there are loads of uber cool Allegro’s and and Austin Princesses under 5k out there for you guys. Reply Rich Duisberg May 3, 2017 Hard working? We hate hard work. And overpriced cars. Tipex December 26, 2015 As already mentioned, I think there is a bit of speculation going on here and I can see why, look at earlier Escorts, how many can you find? Mk1 & 2’s are very rare and command silly prices, simply because there are none left, even ones that aren’t Mexicos go for big money, the mk3 is the next logical step and the S1 RS Turbo is considered the daddy of the mk3, they are also getting increasingly rare these days, sadly this one willprobably never see a public road again, it’ll sit in an air conditioned garage until some time in the future when someone with more money than sense decides they want to own it. Reply Rich Duisberg December 26, 2015 What we don’t understand, though, is the appeal of the car. The mk1 and 2 had rally credentials, RWD, and retro looks. What makes this model “£60k special?” Reply Tipex December 30, 2015 I’m not sure it is £60k special, as you say, it has no stand out feature, but while not as retro as a mk1 or 2, it is still retro. We are the generation that would love to have owned one when we were 17 but could not afford it, now we’re at an age when our mortgages are all but paid off and we have some disposable income, we want to relive our youth, for my generation the mk3 holds more appeal than a mk1 surprisingly, simply because I couldn’t have one back then, being pretty rare now if you want one, you’re going to have to pay for it, think of it as a £60k mid life crisis rather than a £60k Escort. Brian February 13, 2017 60k is ridiculous…but 20k all day long. Mk2 escorts rare??? Hardly…..mass produced worldwide…..series one rs turbo really rare….just remind me of working as a petrol pump attendant and hearing that fuel pump buzz. Colour ai t nothing special but when in sun over that bodykit….beautiful. lots could be said about certain cars commanding huge figures because owners believe they are iconic/historic….but do they ever sell?? Differnt strokes for different folks. Whatever you are into is your personal choice Reply Dom August 22, 2018 “but this really isn’t a decent classic car to us MotorPunks” One of the most iconic cars of the 80s First edition (Mk3) Very low mileage Incredible condition Nostalgic appeal to millions of people First FWD production car to be fitted with a Limited Slip Diff I’m not even a Ford fan but not difficult to see the appeal of this car. Reply Rich Duisberg September 3, 2018 Each to their own, and all that, but look at that price again and see what else it gets you. Reply Glenn Edwards September 21, 2020 Lovely car, just look at it. Real stance and presence. In my opinion should only have been made in white full stop. However its like any appreciating classic if there’s real passion and the numbers are fast declining then why not? Personally I wouldn’t thank you for a split screen vw camper but they have a huge following. Reply Rich Duisberg September 22, 2020 It has the stance and presence of a MK3 Ford Escort. Each to their own! PS – Agree on the VW van, though! 🙂 Reply Ed November 14, 2020 Stunning car not many left and supply and demand command high prices. It’s an RS and rare and AB icon from the 80s. Beautiful thing. Buy one now for about 20k look after it the values are only going North like all classic RS Fords Reply Michael April 12, 2021 You lot are drips in my opinion one of the best 80s cars full stop and to have one that clean these days it’s worth that doe if a Sierra cossi is 100k why not just as iconic Reply Phil September 11, 2022 A friend of mine has one squirreled away. He paid very little for it in the late 90s. Really crude, really noisy and whenever I was a passenger in it I felt as sick as a dog. I bet he would get £30k for it. Reply Malvern Jones February 23, 2023 I think Les Lenard Cars in Builth Wells may have a great example if anyone is interested. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Current ye@r * Leave this field empty
Daz Smith November 21, 2015 I agree, but you’re still gonna be found murdered to death in a Dagenham lay-by. “The only clue Police have is the thick cloud of blue smoke left by the suspects” Reply
Kev November 21, 2015 Were the auctioneers giving out free drugs to the bidders before and during the auction? Reply
Tim Lloyd November 26, 2015 Pure speculation, I reckon. As ‘classic’ Ford prices continue to climb, someone’s probably taking a (very) long view on this. What would be funny however, is if this was a confused overseas bidder thinking they’d bought a mk1 Escort. Reply
Ted Andrews April 12, 2017 Lads,its fine you don’t get it, and can’t join us hard working collectors buying cars at this level. But don’t worry there are loads of uber cool Allegro’s and and Austin Princesses under 5k out there for you guys. Reply
Tipex December 26, 2015 As already mentioned, I think there is a bit of speculation going on here and I can see why, look at earlier Escorts, how many can you find? Mk1 & 2’s are very rare and command silly prices, simply because there are none left, even ones that aren’t Mexicos go for big money, the mk3 is the next logical step and the S1 RS Turbo is considered the daddy of the mk3, they are also getting increasingly rare these days, sadly this one willprobably never see a public road again, it’ll sit in an air conditioned garage until some time in the future when someone with more money than sense decides they want to own it. Reply
Rich Duisberg December 26, 2015 What we don’t understand, though, is the appeal of the car. The mk1 and 2 had rally credentials, RWD, and retro looks. What makes this model “£60k special?” Reply
Tipex December 30, 2015 I’m not sure it is £60k special, as you say, it has no stand out feature, but while not as retro as a mk1 or 2, it is still retro. We are the generation that would love to have owned one when we were 17 but could not afford it, now we’re at an age when our mortgages are all but paid off and we have some disposable income, we want to relive our youth, for my generation the mk3 holds more appeal than a mk1 surprisingly, simply because I couldn’t have one back then, being pretty rare now if you want one, you’re going to have to pay for it, think of it as a £60k mid life crisis rather than a £60k Escort.
Brian February 13, 2017 60k is ridiculous…but 20k all day long. Mk2 escorts rare??? Hardly…..mass produced worldwide…..series one rs turbo really rare….just remind me of working as a petrol pump attendant and hearing that fuel pump buzz. Colour ai t nothing special but when in sun over that bodykit….beautiful. lots could be said about certain cars commanding huge figures because owners believe they are iconic/historic….but do they ever sell?? Differnt strokes for different folks. Whatever you are into is your personal choice Reply
Dom August 22, 2018 “but this really isn’t a decent classic car to us MotorPunks” One of the most iconic cars of the 80s First edition (Mk3) Very low mileage Incredible condition Nostalgic appeal to millions of people First FWD production car to be fitted with a Limited Slip Diff I’m not even a Ford fan but not difficult to see the appeal of this car. Reply
Rich Duisberg September 3, 2018 Each to their own, and all that, but look at that price again and see what else it gets you. Reply
Glenn Edwards September 21, 2020 Lovely car, just look at it. Real stance and presence. In my opinion should only have been made in white full stop. However its like any appreciating classic if there’s real passion and the numbers are fast declining then why not? Personally I wouldn’t thank you for a split screen vw camper but they have a huge following. Reply
Rich Duisberg September 22, 2020 It has the stance and presence of a MK3 Ford Escort. Each to their own! PS – Agree on the VW van, though! 🙂 Reply
Ed November 14, 2020 Stunning car not many left and supply and demand command high prices. It’s an RS and rare and AB icon from the 80s. Beautiful thing. Buy one now for about 20k look after it the values are only going North like all classic RS Fords Reply
Michael April 12, 2021 You lot are drips in my opinion one of the best 80s cars full stop and to have one that clean these days it’s worth that doe if a Sierra cossi is 100k why not just as iconic Reply
Phil September 11, 2022 A friend of mine has one squirreled away. He paid very little for it in the late 90s. Really crude, really noisy and whenever I was a passenger in it I felt as sick as a dog. I bet he would get £30k for it. Reply
Malvern Jones February 23, 2023 I think Les Lenard Cars in Builth Wells may have a great example if anyone is interested. Reply
