Fast Ford once owned by Jeremy Clarkson which he dubbed his ‘all time favourite’ heads to auction
A FAST Ford once owned by Jeremy Clarkson and dubbed his "all-time favourite" is heading to auction within weeks.
The stunning motor is a limited edition version of an already super-rare classic, with only three like it ever made.
The Ford Escort RS Cosworth was, like many Fast Fords of its era, never really intended to be produced.
It only came about to allow a single version to race in the World Rally Championship between 1993 and 1998.
Under the championship's rules, at least 2,500 identical, road-legal versions of a car had to be produced over 12 consecutive months to qualify to enter.
And so, in 1993, Ford did just that by handing over the fifth-generation Escort to partner firm Cosworth to create the new car, affectionately known as a "cossie".
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However, from 1994, Ford responded to the massive demand for the model by producing extra road-going variants until 1996.
This particular Ford Escort RS Cosworth is extremely well known within Blue Oval circles
Charles Smalley
This particular cossie is extra special, though, as it is one of just three "pre-production" models that the manufacturer built in 1992.
It is rumoured to have cost £250,000 to produce at the time, equivalent to about £530,000 today.
The car even made a TV appearance with its celebrity owner, who wheeled it out for a drive through the Yorkshire Dales in an episode of Clarkson's Car Years.
During the trip, the ex-Top Gear host said: "One of my all-time favourite roads meets one of my all-time favourite cars, the cossie."
The spotless motor is set to be sold by Iconic Auctioneers at their event at Silverstone on August 24.
It features a pristine "Mallard Green" paint job, which a "Raven Hide" black leather interior.
A peek underneath the car reveals it to be in good health, with the original sealant from the Ford factory still in place, guarding against rust and corrosion.
Charles Smalley, specialist at Iconic, said: "This particular Ford Escort RS Cosworth is extremely well known within Blue Oval circles, not just because it was once Jeremy Clarkson's daily steed, but more importantly because it is one of just three Prototype pre-production, hand-built, examples that, at the time, were rumoured to have cost in excess of £250,000 to produce.
"More recently, the present long-term owner has carried out a full brake and suspension overhaul, fitted a brand new set of NOS genuine wheels and centre caps and improved the superb interior with a new headlining.
"With very minor mechanical enhancements the Escort RS is now ready to be enjoyed once again and ready for its next journey over that North Yorkshire Pass."
Despite its rarity and celebrity connection, the beloved cossie has a guide price of just £75,000, making it a real steal for Ford enthusiasts.
