Escort RS1600i A403 JCE Graphite Grey
Build Date June 1983
Date of Registration 5th September 1983
Date of Purchase 19th December 1998
After a host of different RS1600i since my first Graphite Grey car that I purchased in August 1990 at the age of 18 and sold to make way for a Series one RS Turbo, it was time for me to find another Graphite Grey 16i and one which would be a very good base to make into A1 condition or if funds allowed perhaps
something that was already at that standard. Being an optional colour out of the 6 available, numbers were limited and my search extended north as far as Blackpool and west down to Cornwall but the right car seemed to be a little illusive. One Graphite car that has always stuck in my mind can be found in the Buyers Guide which appeared in Fast Ford Magazine, May 1997, at the time showing 40,000 miles and fitted with 6 of 9 options advertised at the now defunct used car dealer, the RS Specialist and sitting along side a slightly lesser desirable car and another white 16i showing only 1,100 miles and we all know about that car.
Build Date June 1983
Date of Registration 5th September 1983
Date of Purchase 19th December 1998
After a host of different RS1600i since my first Graphite Grey car that I purchased in August 1990 at the age of 18 and sold to make way for a Series one RS Turbo, it was time for me to find another Graphite Grey 16i and one which would be a very good base to make into A1 condition or if funds allowed perhaps
something that was already at that standard. Being an optional colour out of the 6 available, numbers were limited and my search extended north as far as Blackpool and west down to Cornwall but the right car seemed to be a little illusive. One Graphite car that has always stuck in my mind can be found in the Buyers Guide which appeared in Fast Ford Magazine, May 1997, at the time showing 40,000 miles and fitted with 6 of 9 options advertised at the now defunct used car dealer, the RS Specialist and sitting along side a slightly lesser desirable car and another white 16i showing only 1,100 miles and we all know about that car.
After a chance comment made to our model registra at the time Tony Fuller, that if this specific car would become available for sale that I would be interested in purchasing it. That chance comment was to be a blessing as one afternoon a phone call came from Tony to tell me that he had received his copy of Fast Ford by subscription,(hence a couple of days sooner than it landing on the shelf in a shop) that A403JCE was advertised for sale in Essex and fortunately within my budget. A viewing was promptly arranged which was conveniently at The Halfway House on the A127, the place where the Essex RSOC meet was held every month. So with the usual 16i crew and Tony there to assist with a viewing we waited in anticipation for the car to arrive but as the evening was drawing to a close and no arrival I though it was going to be a no show and the hunt would continue but just as I was walking to my car ready to leave, an unmistakable sight of lit square Hella front fog and an escort silhouette, the car appeared. Armed with a torch and search lamp we gave the car a looking over but it was agreed that a daytime viewing would be done the following weekend.
The weekend arrived and using the Taxi of Mum and Dad off to Colchester we went and after a viewing and the usual haggling, I became the proud owner of A403JCE. Now showing 49,906 miles, 50,000 miles would show on the homeward journey.
Six months and 600 miles later the car was placed on axle stands and the underside was stripped of all its parts to have a clean and component resto to bring the underside up inline with the condition of the topside of the car.
Well 10 years and 15,000 miles later, more magazine articles, along with numerous shows, spirited parade laps, even a few track sessions and used as my chosen mode of transport to the church on my wedding day in 2008 JCE has proved faultless other than regular servicing and maintenance. More recently to help keep mileage down and a few more 16i joining my stable (more info on these to follow)its taking a well earned rest having only covered 250 miles in the last three years but always being MOT’d and ready to go on the first turn of the key once taxed for some more enjoyable motoring.
The weekend arrived and using the Taxi of Mum and Dad off to Colchester we went and after a viewing and the usual haggling, I became the proud owner of A403JCE. Now showing 49,906 miles, 50,000 miles would show on the homeward journey.
Six months and 600 miles later the car was placed on axle stands and the underside was stripped of all its parts to have a clean and component resto to bring the underside up inline with the condition of the topside of the car.
Well 10 years and 15,000 miles later, more magazine articles, along with numerous shows, spirited parade laps, even a few track sessions and used as my chosen mode of transport to the church on my wedding day in 2008 JCE has proved faultless other than regular servicing and maintenance. More recently to help keep mileage down and a few more 16i joining my stable (more info on these to follow)its taking a well earned rest having only covered 250 miles in the last three years but always being MOT’d and ready to go on the first turn of the key once taxed for some more enjoyable motoring.
The RS1600i has proven to me what a great car it is and always has been ever since that first drive I took way back in 1989 of a friends 16i (early model, red, fitted with private plate 44PHU, I wonder if this car still exists.) causing me to change my mind from buying another mk2 escort instead the model becoming my hobby for over 20 years and owning over 20 16i. Unfortunately the RS1600i does seem to get overlooked and classed as a very underrated RS model something that I have always felt incorrect as it easy to maintain, reliable with performance and road holding along with being fitted with some superb features making the car something special.
Pricing does seem to be rising as good quality cars become more difficult to locate and numbers are falling as the dreaded tin worm takes hold making rebuilds that more difficult.
Kent and the Kent regional RSOC group have always had a good following of the 16i which is something that has no doubt helped keep my interest of the car going over the years, allowing me to meet some really good friends and have a helping hand in stripping and rebuilding some of the Kent cars that you have seen at shows over the years and still parked along side me today.
As is often the case the end of the story is about the thanks for people who have helped over the years and my RS1600i hobby is no exception. First and foremost my parents who have helped in every way possible from time, money and just shear interest in supporting me and my 16i’s. All the guys from Kent who have owned and still own RS1600i, I owe them thanks for all the fun and assistance in making shows and the journey to and from so entertaining.
Lee, Claire and Torsten for making RS1600i.net what it was and my wife Lisa and family for putting up with my 16i obsession.
Russell Driver, RSOC membership number 15727
Pricing does seem to be rising as good quality cars become more difficult to locate and numbers are falling as the dreaded tin worm takes hold making rebuilds that more difficult.
Kent and the Kent regional RSOC group have always had a good following of the 16i which is something that has no doubt helped keep my interest of the car going over the years, allowing me to meet some really good friends and have a helping hand in stripping and rebuilding some of the Kent cars that you have seen at shows over the years and still parked along side me today.
As is often the case the end of the story is about the thanks for people who have helped over the years and my RS1600i hobby is no exception. First and foremost my parents who have helped in every way possible from time, money and just shear interest in supporting me and my 16i’s. All the guys from Kent who have owned and still own RS1600i, I owe them thanks for all the fun and assistance in making shows and the journey to and from so entertaining.
Lee, Claire and Torsten for making RS1600i.net what it was and my wife Lisa and family for putting up with my 16i obsession.
Russell Driver, RSOC membership number 15727
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