THE EXPERTS
THE LONG-TERM OWNER PAUL THATCHER
Cosworth Drivers’ Club main man
Paul has owned his Crystal Blue Sapphire for 26 years, taking it from standard to RS500-engined
Fast Ford feature car. Paul began his fast Ford fascination with a Lotus Cortina at the age of 19, and now 66, Paul has been around the scene long enough to be part of the nostalgia… Paul also owns a Mk3 Focus RS Red Edition too.
THE SPECIALIST PAUL LINFOOT , NORTH YORKSHIRE RS SPARES
Widely regarded at the authority on the RS500 Cosworth, Paul runs North Yorkshire RS Spares, which specialises in the sale and restoration of RS Cosworths. Paul’s a shrewd investor with his own desirable (and often-changing) collection of fast Fords, ranging from Mk2 Escorts to genuine RS500 touring cars. He’s also owned his share of modern RS models, and knows his market intimately: “I once sold a white RS500 42 minutes after advertising it,” he says.
THE DEALER RICHARD BEEL, APPRECIATING CLASSICS
Appreciating Classics is a specialist dealer with a committed interest in fast Fords, regularly selling top-rate examples of Cosworth and Focus RS models, and having a database of customers awaiting the right car. Richard says, “We have a passion for fast Fords. Since we started seven years ago their values have increased heavily. If we have a Cosworth in I tend to use it – because I love driving them.”
THE COLLECTOR CHRIS HUTCHINGS, MORES MOTOR COMPANY
A collector and a dealer – running specialist Mores Motor Company – Chris has been gathering an enviable stash of his own personal Fords for two decades. His collection includes a pair of Escort Cosworths, two three-door Cosworths, a Mk1 Focus RS, a couple of RS1600is, a Mk3 Escort Ghia, Mk3 XR3i, ex-Mark Lovell Series One RS Turbo, Mk3 Escort Cabriolet SE, Mk3 Escort 1.6i Cabriolet, Orion Ghia Injection, Cortina 2.3 Ghia estate, 500-mile Mk2 Focus RS and Mk3 Focus RS with 375 kit.
THE AUCTION MANAGER HARRY WHALE, SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS
Harry Whale is sales manager for Silverstone Auctions, a specialist auction house for classics, supercars and competition machines. It’s here where the majority of high-profile big-value fast Fords make their money. Silverstone’s sister company Classic Car Auctions sees many Fords through the doors, and recently sold a recordpriced Capri RS3100 for £53,280. Refreshingly, Harry isn’t ultra-concerned with mileage: “Cars are made to be used and well maintained.”