Clarkson's Escort Cosworth up for sale
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]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
stefan 5:31PM (9/02/2007)
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.
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Tony P 6:00PM (9/02/2007)
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 3:16PM (9/03/2007)
Cool Ford...hideous wing.
bestmacs 6:12PM (9/02/2007)
It'd be a great talking point, but I'll give it a miss. It's probably been given an absolute flogging by JC!
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Grant 6:15PM (9/02/2007)
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!!
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SPG 6:29PM (9/02/2007)
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.
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Mark Ryan Sallee 7:50PM (9/02/2007)
May be a good car, but what the hell is on the back?
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500 9:36PM (9/02/2007)
A Flux Capacitor. ;-)
Ryan 1:10PM (9/03/2007)
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 8:25PM (9/02/2007)
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?
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Nick 9:41PM (9/02/2007)
If they built this today, and sold it in the USA, I bet it would still do well selling against the WRX and Evo.
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Victor 1:05AM (9/03/2007)
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.
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Slidder 2:00AM (9/03/2007)
They do sell it.
www.northamericancosworthspecialists.com
cheers
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Samiha Esha 6:34AM (9/03/2007)
Great Post...:)
somewhere in...Blog..
www.somewhereinblog.net
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Rene Curry 7:40AM (9/03/2007)
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.
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Tsunami Racer 7:47PM (9/07/2007)
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 3:47PM (9/03/2007)
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.
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