An unexpected classic
The Ford Escort RS Turbo is something of a classic. That said, however, it is hardly a supercar and not a model one would expect to hear mentioned in the same breath as a Ferrari, Porsche or even a Jaguar. So, why would someone pay £722,500 for a mass-produced, 37 year-old, used car? It's not a hypothetical question: a buyer in Cheshire did just that on Saturday 27th August 2022.
Intentionally discreet
The car, formerly owned by Diana, Princess of Wales, was sold by Silverstone Auctions. The black car is believed to be the only Series 1 Escort RS Turbo produced in any colour but white. It had a number of other additional features, largely specified with the Princess's security in mind. The car had an additional rear-view mirror for the protection officer who would always accompany the princess, and a two-way radio fitted in the glove compartment. The choice of black paint was reportedly to tone down the Escort's appearance and make it a little more discreet than its bright, white contemporaries. The fact that the car displayed an unremarkable, prefix registration number, C462 FHK, just completed the woman-of-the-people big picture.
Controversial wheels
Princess Diana's RS Turbo may well have been viewed with a certain amount of disapproval by some members of the royal family and its legion of officials. It could certainly have been seen as wanting in the tradition and dignity departments, but to the public it would seem to fit much better than a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce. The princess was, in both age and outlook, of a different generation from senior members of the royal family and from many of the officials and royal news correspondents who appointed themselves the arbiters of royal propriety. To the public, no doubt, a Ford Escort was far more befitting the woman who mingled happily with the people, rather than displaying the traditional, aloof demeanour of princesses and queens.
From Jaguar to Mercedes
Diana's first car was an Austin Mini Metro L. Later she drove a British Racing Green Jaguar XJ-SC V12, which she controversially traded for a Mercedes. As one might expect, even something as trivial as her driving a German car was enough to attract petty criticism from some quarters. Diana drove the Mercedes privately but was pressured into using a Jaguar for official engagements. Eventually she returned the Mercedes. In 1994 Diana received an Audi convertible but the old complaints soon resurfaced and that car also went back.
The popular choice
Amusingly, it is Diana's association with the relatively mundane Ford Escort that still seems to attract the most attention. In 2021, a 1981 Ford Escort Ghia Saloon which was a gift to Diana from Prince Charles, sold at auction for £52,000. The Escort Ghia, bearing original WEV 297W number plates, was given to Diana by the prince during their courtship. In contrast to the custom security features of her RS Turbo, the Ghia's notable piece of customisation was a silver frog bonnet mascot.
One of a kind
While we doubt there will ever be enough interest in another Ford Escort (even an RS Turbo) to command a price tag of nearly three quarters of a million pounds, we are certain that Princess Diana's popularity, and the world's fascination with everything about her, will live on.
We would have loved to provide Princess Diana with her own personal plates - if only security would have permitted it! Why not let us know what plates you would have chosen?
Image credit: Silverstone Auctions
