What to look for

First, you’ll need to decide what you want from a Fiesta. If you’re looking for an investment, choose an original and unmodified example - preferably low-mileage and unrestored, but bear in mind a rebuilt car could well be in better condition.

Most RS Turbos have been modified to some extent, and don’t hold value like a standard car – so a pre-tuned machine is a good idea if you plan more performance upgrades; for example, a Fiesta worth £2,500 stock would probably fetch only £3,000 with £2,000 of goodies…

Look for an RS with good- quality kit rather than eBay junk, which is all-too- often evident on the average bodged-up Fiesta Turbo. Ideally, you want to see some sort of reconditioned ( probably T3) turbo, an uprated intercooler and decent pipework, with the correct water and oil feeds and returns, plus a receipt for a chip from a respected tuner.

Whichever car you choose, you’ll need to make sure you’re buying a genuine RS Turbo rather than a tarted-up XR2i ( or even a boggo Fiesta with a bodykit and bigger engine). Check the chassis number on the V5 matches the codes on the car, stamped into the driver’s-side floorpan ( beneath a flap in the carpet) and VIN tag on the slam panel; the engine number ( if original) should match the last five digits. If anything looks like it’s been tampered with, then walk away.

Unfortunately, only vigilance will differentiate an RS Turbo from an XR2i, and even a basic Mk3 bodyshell is almost identical but for bodykit fixings. Look for details including bonnet vents, colourcoded rear spoiler, tinted glass ( all righthand- drive RS Turbos came with electric front windows, a glass sunroof and opening rear quarter windows as standard), 150mph speedometer and rear anti-roll bar. A heated front windscreen and ABS were options.