RS - The Faster Fords Escort - Capri - RS200 - Sierra - Fiesta, Second Edition

The letters RS are much more than just an abbreviation for Rallye Sport. For over twenty years Ford have used the initials to designate some of their most exciting cars, those most closely linked to their motorsport ambitions. Some were developed principally to provide a homologated basis for the machines the works teams needed for success in international competition, others were more directly commercial in intention but incorporated technical feedback from rallying and racing to enhance their high performance capabilities. All illustrate Ford's commitment to motorsport as a forcing ground for product improvement, and it is the company's wide ranging success in the sport that has conferred on the RS badge such distinction. This book examines RS models in detail. These are the Escort RS1600; the Mexico Mk1 and Mk2; the RS2000 Mk1 and Mk2; the RS1800; RS1600i, two generations of Escort RS Turbo; two Capris, the RS2600 and RS3100; the rally supercar RS200; the Sierra Cosworth in four guises, the 1986 hatchback, the RS500 evolution car, the rear-drive Sapphire version and the 4x4 car and the Fiesta RS Turbo. The reason for each model's existence is explained, its development and production described and its competition career sketched. Where appropriate, the experiences of current owners are reported to illustrate what it is like to run these RS models on the road, either as regular transport or as high days, holidays and concours cars. Author Jeremy Walton has had direct contact with all these cars on road and track, sometimes in the heat of competition, experiences he gathers together in the final chapter. He begins, though, with a look at Ford of Britain's move into the enthusiast market in the 1960s, and continues with the stories of the two specialised units within the big company which have played a central role in the continuing RS saga, FAVO and SVE. Apart from the engineering and technical interests, some fascinating insights into the corporate workings of Ford the multinational company emerge. The story of the Cosworth Ford BDA engine and some of the other cars in which it has appeared is included, and there is a look at the history and organisation of the RS parts operation. Tabulated in the appendix are technical data, sales and performance figures, and useful addresses for the RS owner or would be owner.