Developed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Engineering department at Dunton, the Escort RS Turbo Series 1 was a genuine homologation special, a road-going performance model created to compete in 'Group A and Group N' motorsport.

The result was one of the most important performance Fords of the 1980s, combining advanced turbocharging technology, superb chassis balance and unmistakable Rallye Sport styling.
Ford originally planned to produce just 5,000 examples to meet FIA homologation requirements, but soaring demand saw a total of 8,604 cars built.

Every example (bar an infamous Black car) was finished in Diamond White and sold exclusively through official Rallye Sport dealerships.

Power came from a turbocharged and fuel-injected 1,597cc CVH engine producing 132bhp and 133lb/ft of torque, giving the RS Turbo serious pace for its time with 0–60mph in 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 128mph.

It was also the first front-wheel drive road-car in the world to use a viscous-coupling limited-slip d...