At an undisclosed location somewhere in Europe, there are not one but two classic Ford Escort RS Cosworths slowly rotting away. They were featured in a recent YouTube video from The Bearded Explorer, and you don't have to be a Ford fan to feel the pain on this one. These cars have truly been abandoned.
The video opens with a "very long drive" to a rural location that is kept secret, as the property apparently is monitored and in use regularly according to the video description. There are actually several structures in the area; leading up to the Escorts we see a plethora of cars including a Porsche 928 that appears to have burned at one point. There's also a BMW E30 wagon sitting in the grass, a classic Mini Cooper S, and the skeleton of an airplane nearby.
But the Cossies hurt the worst. Registration stickers suggest they've been parked for at least 20 years. Both are absolutely covered in filth and moss, so much so that it's impossible for the camera to see through the windows. The Bearded Explorer is able to suss out a black leather interior in both, making this find even more bittersweet. And he cites anonymous sources that tell him one of the cars only has 12,500 miles. Ouch.
Even with such low mileage, it would take a full restoration to bring it back to life. Getting up close, the brakes on both cars are nothing but rust at this point. We never get a look under the hoods, but seals and hoses on the Cosworth 2.0-liter turbocharged engines are almost certainly destroyed. At least rust appears minimal—there's a little bit visible on the rear fender of the blue car, but we shudder to think of how the underside looks. Sitting on bare ground can lead to all kinds of moisture issues, and the problem is made worse by the barn having open sides.
Still, they're worth saving. In excellent condition, these cars can fetch over $100,000 but for many Ford fans, they're priceless. Sadly, these cars are likely to remain just as they are for the foreseeable future. The video states the current owner has no intention of selling them or taking any action to save them. It's a depressing end for two legendary cars.
