Owner submission by Joseph Gatt
WHAT IS IT?
The Escort Cosworth aka “Cossie” is a famous 1990’s homologation special. It was designed and built as an evolution to the hugely successful Sierra Cosworth race winning car to homologate for Group A / WRC rally championship competition. Originally 2500 were built to fulfill FIA homologation rules. The car did so well that Ford decided to build another 2500 cars. After that a limited run of “T25 / Smaller Turbo” cars were produced. These were designed to be more reliable & easier to drive with the same power output but less turbo lag and a newer engine management system.
TECH: The car was basically a Frankenstein design. Ford took the already proven chassis and drivetrain from the 4×4 Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, shortened it by a few centimeters, and placed the (modified) body of a Mk5/6 Escort on top. Cosworth famously built the 2L turbocharged motor which gave 227ps in stock form giving the Cossie a 0-62mph or 5.7 secs and a top speed of 150mph. Supercar territory back in the 90’s. In WRC spec these cars produced about 350hp and have been known to be tuned to over 600hp!!
DESIGN: The car was designed by (the famous) Ian Callum & John Wheeler of Ford Europe’s SVO department. Steven Harper was mainly responsible for design and aero and John Bull (chief engineer).
NUMBERS: Of the 7k made in total between 1992 and 1995 it is rumored that only about 2k still exist in the world. There are about 25 here in the USA (or were…)
FAMOUSLY: The Cossie is the first mass produced car to produce actual front and rear aero downforce. Also, it was the very first F1 safety car trialed during the 1992 season.
WHY THIS ONE HAS BEST ONE ON THE PLANET CHOPS
My car was born Dec 1st, 1995 at the Karmann facility in Rheine, Germany. Then in January 1996 it was imported into the USA by Sun International and has been here ever since. 6 owners from new and 60k miles. I have owned the car since October 2021. This is one of my dream cars. I have lusted after a Cossie since I was a kid. I didn’t realize I’d have to wait 30 years and move counties before I’d have one of my own… and now I love it.
Like me, the car is a TV celebrity. It was featured on the show “Wheeler Dealers” where it was famously refurbished and given a third wing. The story being that during the cars inception and design it was originally supposed to have a third wing for extra downforce but budgets meant this never happened. A fun myth to sell the episode but all totally manufactured as the original and real designers will tell you. I saw the car on the show and then saw it for sale at a dealership. Unfortunately someone else beat me to it at that time. I was gutted but had faith that everything happened for a reason. Later that year a bunch of friends (who all knew I was looking for an EsCos) messaged me pictures of this car while enjoying Monterey Car week. I recognized it as the car from the dealership and one of my friends tracked the new owner on FB. I friended him and we became friends through our connection. He was also a British expat living in the Bay Area. A few months later, the stars all aligned, and I needed up buying the car off him. And for a much better price than he paid the dealer. Anyway, after finally getting the car the hard work of restoring the car and taking it to “OEM+” began. It’s now close to perfect. The body was already pretty good so I got that corrected and PPF’d. I’ve replaced the suspension with coilers and put on a modern big brake kit replacing the OEM ones. All rubber bits have been replaced and wiring repaired and replaced as needed. It has a chipped ECU, uprated fuel pump, updated harness wiring, refurbished injectors, and runs like a dream. It’s never once left me stranded or failed to start. I was even daily driving it for a few months while waiting for the Pajero Evolution to arrive and get the paperwork done on that. It’s currently running 20psi of boost (about 1.3 bar) giving about 300ps and 390lb ft in a car that weight about 2600lbs! It flys and makes the best noises!!
Everywhere I take the Cossie people can’t believe what they’re seeing, because most people have only seen one of these in video games. And any others that may be around rarely get driven. Only in LA can you show up to a cars & coffee and see countless Ferrari’s, Lambo’s, Macca’s, Bugattis etc….. but only ONE Escort Cosworth. And I love it to bits.
I’m hoping that one day I’ll have my other dream car, a Ferrari Testarossa, to sit next to it in a garage!
Recently times have been very tough financially and I’ve considered selling the Cossie. But I simply can’t bring myself to do so. And if it wasn’t for the many people and shops supporting me and my Cossie by allowing me to use their spaces, buy doing work for free, or by sponsoring me with parts, I wouldn’t still have it. So I thank those folks so much.
FYI: The car is also featured in two major video games as the model and sounds for the game.
This car has had quite the life so far and deserves its recognition as the best one on the planet if only for the fact that it’s brought me and so many other people so many smiles. The fact that it’s gorgeous and sounds incredible helps its case.
This is one of my dream cars. I have lusted after a Cossie since I was a kid.
Owner’s Instagram Page:Â https://www.instagram.com/calicossie/
Thank you, Joseph, for submitting your car to our site! It’s fantastic and we’re huge fans of rare and interesting cars. This certainly qualifies and looks like a ton of fun to drive as well!
Full disclosure: Joe is a friend. Also full disclosure: I’m smitten every time I see Cossie in person. This is an exceptional example and such a rarity that it deserves all the adulation—the hype is real.
Wow, stunning example of peak hot hatch homologation special. As close to perfect as imaginable. And, photographed up on The Crest too.
Even though these have been legal in the U.S. for quite some time, it’s still rare to see one here. The others that I’ve seen have been well-used with clearly not great accident repairs. This one looks like the business. I’d love to see some interior shots.
I don’t know enough about the RS Cosworths to say if this is Best on the Planet, but it is undoubtedly a gem. I love the color, the wheels, and the fact that you take it out and share it with the world. Kudos on making your dream car a reality!!
Never seen one before but those twilights really tricked me, looks like they are straight off of a BMW.
How to win cars and coffee – show up in this
Normally it takes years and costs thousands of lives to get a car like this registered in California, how the owner did it, I have no idea. But good on ya for fighting the good fight. Those Oz wheels? – chef’s kiss –