This vehicle represents two pieces of history: it's an Escort Cosworth, which might as well have come out of a Harry Potter novel it was so wild; and this particular Cossie was owned by none other than Jeremy Clarkson. Yes, that Jeremy Clarkson. It was, in fact, one of his favorite cars. That's quite a complement coming from a man as difficult to please as Jezza. It isn't clear how long ago he owned it -- the article simply says "once owned by" -- but it is clear that he named it "Gary."
Besides the name, the only other aspect of the car that gives us pause is the color: Mallard metallic green. Only the British could come up with that. The verde monster has a 2.0-liter engine which someone, perhaps Clarkson, upgraded with a larger turbo, uprated fuel pump and modified head gasket. It should get more than the standard 227 bhp and get to sixty even faster than the "hair-raising 5.7 seconds." All this, and that can't-be-missed two story tail can be yours for just £16,989, and a huge insurance bill.
[Source: Auto Trader UK]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
stefan @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:31PM
The Escort Cosworth is one of the best ford's ever made, it wasnt actualy a escort at all. It was bild on the RWD ford sierra platform and got 4WD ford just made it look like a escort.
Tony P @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:00PM
Yeah, the rear quarter panels were slightly longer than a standard Escort to help the shell sit on the Sierra floorpan.
I love the Escort Cossie but I'd rather have a BDA-engined Mk1 Escort, or RS200.
Don @ Sep 3rd 2007 3:16PM
Cool Ford...hideous wing.
bestmacs @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:12PM
It'd be a great talking point, but I'll give it a miss. It's probably been given an absolute flogging by JC!
Grant @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:15PM
why can't we get all these cool cars in america?!?!!! i hate reading about all the stuff that we never get. i want a small car to supplement my big truck for gas mileage/commuting reasons, and i really only like some of the vw's right now. if ford and chevy would do something cool over hear for once, then i could better our economy by buying american, and save money, too!!
SPG @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:29PM
Wow, that's one hugely expensive car.
But... From what I know of them it's worth it.
I'd ATM that car, and I don't mean anything regarding a cash machine.
Mark Ryan Sallee @ Sep 2nd 2007 7:50PM
May be a good car, but what the hell is on the back?
500 @ Sep 2nd 2007 9:36PM
A Flux Capacitor. ;-)
Ryan @ Sep 3rd 2007 1:10PM
ya its ture, at first i thought it was just the most amazing wing id ever seen and was wondering how difficult it would be to make or how much itd cost, but then i realized its an flux capacitor. also ur jealous.
Simon @ Sep 2nd 2007 8:25PM
Isn't this the car Jeremy said he had a £20,000 insurance quote for, even though the car only cost him about £18,000?
Nick @ Sep 2nd 2007 9:41PM
If they built this today, and sold it in the USA, I bet it would still do well selling against the WRX and Evo.
Victor @ Sep 3rd 2007 1:05AM
They did sell this car in North American, well something like it based on the sierra frame. the German build Ford but sold it as the Merkur XR4Ti.
Slidder @ Sep 3rd 2007 2:00AM
They do sell it.
www.northamericancosworthspecialists.com
cheers
Samiha Esha @ Sep 3rd 2007 6:34AM
Great Post...:)
somewhere in...Blog..
www.somewhereinblog.net
Rene Curry @ Sep 3rd 2007 7:40AM
WOW, this would be an amazing car to own in the states.
Can you import a car like this to the states? (under the guise of race car only?) Could you register it & drive it on the road? (or cheat and buy a DOA escort?)
When I get my kid through college and pay off my house I want a project car. I would love to build a 63-64 Consul Capri with a Cosworth YB Turbo set-up and Merkur/Sierra suspension. Better yet an Escort 4WD set-up.
Tsunami Racer @ Sep 7th 2007 7:47PM
i've got one for sale in the USA if anyone's interested. titled and registered, in California even!!
www.geocities.com/johnnie_tsunami
1337 @ Sep 3rd 2007 3:47PM
I'm sure it's in great mechanical shape now that Clarkson has been driving it like a hooligan since it was new. He's probably selling it because the drivetrain is nearly incinerated.