1991 Ford Fiesta RS Turbo
Very original car with only 71,000 miles from new

Registration No: H436 BTU
Chassis No: SFABXXBAFBMK15155
MOT: April 2024

• Very original car with circa 71,610 miles from new
• Single owner from 1996 until 2022
• Recent mechanical expenditure to the brakes and cooling system
• Original 'Radiant Red' paint
• History file includes original book pack

In 1990, Ford introduced what would become arguably one of the finest hot hatches they’ve ever produced. After the massive success of the XR2i released the year before, Ford decided to turn the heat up a bit by taking the essential parts of the acclaimed XR2i, and adding a turbocharged engine, hiking the power up to 133bhp. The engine was in essence the same unit as used in the Escort RS Turbo, released in 1986, which itself was an update of the earlier Escort RS Turbo from 1984. Instead of the earlier fuel injection which used a Bosch KE system, Ford used their own EEC IV system as used in the XR2i, making the car much more tuneable without having to use 5th injectors and allows for more accurate air flow readings. Driving the Fiesta RS Turbo daily was by no means a chore, the thrill of the ride was complemented by a full Recaro interior, as fitted in the Cosworths and Escort RS Turbos. The steering wheel is leather covered and embossed with the Turbo logo which was complimented by a leather gear knob and the car also features electric windows, sunroof and a Ford radio cassette. Ford made the Fiesta RS for two years until 1992 when new emission standards were being brought in, which meant that major revisions to the RS had to occur if it were to remain in production and comply. Instead, production was stopped and the RS Turbo was replaced with the RS1800 Fiesta. The RS Turbo remained the fastest Fiesta until the release of the ST150.

First registered on 25th January 1991, ‘H436 BTU’ was sold to a Mr A. Francis of Wirral, Merseyside by J. Blake & Co of Liverpool. The car stayed around the area and service stamps are shown at 1,513, 6000, 12,000, 17,400 at J. Blake & Co, then 24,662 at Fairway Motors of Liverpool and the last stamp at 29,601 miles at Quicks of Chester. We understand that the car was purchased by the late previous owner in 1996 from Fylde Motor Company of Kirkham who part exchanged his Ford Escort XR3i to buy it and at this time the car had 64,700 miles on the odometer. The car then stayed with him until his unfortunate passing in 2017 when it was transferred into his wife's name and then was offered for sale to the vendor in 2022 as he was a very close friend of the family. The car has only covered just over 71,600 miles to date that we believe genuine, from the MOTs on file.

Upon inspection, it is evident that this very original car has been well looked after throughout its life and today it still presents very well in its original Radiant Red paintwork - which has stood the test of time well with only minor blemishes that are to be expected of a car this age. The car fired up very easily at the time of consignment and the vendor reports that it is fantastic to drive, feeling very tight and obvious that it has never been taken apart to restore. The vendor has recently overhauled the brakes and there is an invoice on file to suggest that the water pump and the cambelt have been recently changed. The original Recaro interior presents very well with no signs of sagging across the seats, although the driver's bolster has a small amount of wear on the piping. The electric windows operate remarkably smoothly given their age.

Due to the overall condition of this now very rare car, we are confident that it will look at home in the collection of any fast Ford or hot hatch collector and it is surely deserving of new, long-term custodianship.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430