In production from March 1975 to September 1977, the Mk2 Escort RS1800 can be considered as a BDA-powered Mk2 Mexico sharing the same heavy-duty body shell, brakes, suspension, split-propshaft, differential and rear axle.

Essentially a road-going version of Ford's highly successful rally car, it was powered by a powerful 1,835cc 16-valve Cosworth BDA and was intended primarily for motorsport not mass appeal, consequently selling in limited numbers with just 109 examples finding homes.

This particular car, #BBATRL08628, has been confirmed by the late Dave Robinson, RS1800 Registrar, as being one of the earliest examples produced in 1975 and almost certainly the first production example.

For many years it was believed to have been lost after a move to Malta when it was three years old however thankfully it resurfaced many years later and was repatriated back to the UK.

Unfortunately it was incorrectly registered by the DVLA and issued with a 'P' registration, something that was quic...