chuckster

Nice article from the Torygraph.
Please note views printed are not my own blah blah blah and and aplenty!


Ford's launch of the Focus RS at the Motor Show also marks the 30th anniversary of the prestigious badge. Here are some of the greats...


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Our choice
Ford Capri RS3100

1973-74
£5,500

ALSO known as Conan the Oversteerer: the 3.1-litre, Essex V6 slides its tail out at the merest provocation. Good for 125mph, but make sure you buy the

VED-exempt pre-73 version, as you'll be lucky to get more than 20mpg on leaded.

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And a look at the competition ...
Ford Escort RS2000

1976-80
£4,500

WITH the front end style known as "droopsnoot", the Mark II, four-headlamp version pictured here was the best-ever selling RS model and was more comfortable and slightly softer than the 1973-74 Mk I. Its 1,993cc, single-cam, four-cylinder Pinto engine was very tuneable and the car had considerable rallying success. Good for 109mph and 25mpg on leaded fuel.

Ford Escort RS Turbo

1984-1986
£3,000

FORD nicknamed it "White Lightning", everyone else knew it as Terence the Torque Steerer. Ford's first turbo car was peaky, prone to runaway wheelspin and apt to ****** the wheel from your hands under hard acceleration. The 1.6-litre turbo motor was fast in a straight line, though - good for 128mph and 27mpg on leaded. Later versions were softened and given less lairy paintwork.

Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

1986-87
£8,500

FORERUNNER to the mighty Escort Cossie so loved by Jeremy Clarkson, the Cosworth Sierra was altogether more practical, stable and less "boy racer" - once you'd got the huge rear wing off. Its raucous two-litre turbo motor was good for 143mph and 20mpg, although that was with a standard 204bhp - they could be tuned to more than 500bhp! Most were stolen at least twice in their lives.

Ford RS 1600

1970-74
£7,000

THE original RS. Replaced the Escort twin-cam and fitted with an amazing (and expensive) Cosworth 120bhp BDA engine. Good for 113mph and around 22mpg, although the engine could be tuned until it burst at 2-0 litres and 260bhp! A bit naff inside, the Weber carburettors spat like a cat fight under the bonnet on cold starting and handling was very tail happy - but it was simply wonderful, and is now very rare.

Maybe they'll talk about our scoobies this way in 30 years time, and then again maybe not
Cheers
Chuck

CC

Hey my Sierras never been stolen, yet !

.....although someone has had a good go in the past .