Jeremy Clarkson’s Former Ford Escort RS Cosworth Sells For Record Amount

It sold for more than $88k at auction.

A 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth, once driven by television personality Jeremy Clarkson, has made headlines after selling for an impressive £67,500 (~$88,825) at the Silverstone Festival's Iconic Auctioneers event. The car, a high-performance hatchback, exceeded expectations, smashing its auction estimate.

This particular Escort RS Cosworth is not just any Ford. It’s a pre-production model, hand-built by Ford at an estimated cost of £250,000 (~$329,022). The car was originally loaned to a young Jeremy Clarkson, who drove it extensively, featuring it in multiple long-term tests. After Clarkson’s tenure, the car was given away in a competition by Top Gear Magazine, only for Clarkson to later revisit it during the BBC series "Clarkson's Car Years," where he named it one of his all-time favorite cars.

The Escort RS Cosworth has been well-maintained by subsequent owners over the years. Before going under the hammer, it underwent extensive maintenance and minor interior upgrades to ensure it remained in top condition while retaining its authentic appeal.

At the auction, a spirited bidding war ensued, with both in-person attendees and online bidders vying for the iconic car. Ultimately, the Escort sold for over $88k, a significant sum for a vehicle with such celebrity provenance.

Though the Escort RS Cosworth fetched a handsome price, it wasn’t the most expensive car at the Silverstone Festival. That title went to a 2001 Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 SE Coupe, which sold for a staggering $562,590. Meanwhile, other cars like a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E were more accessible, with the family saloon selling for a modest $7,475.