HOW MUCH TO PAY

PROJECT: £8000 TO £14,000

Most ropey RS Mk1s have been stripped and scrapped or restored, but breakers in bits could dip down to £5k. A running car needing bodywork will be £10k, and tatty/high-mileage examples with MOT will top this budget.

GOOD: £14,000 TO £20,000

The bulk of RS Mk1s hover here, with price reflecting mileage and condition. Beware of rotters masquerading as minters, and bear in mind a repaired write-off is worth a third less than a non-Cat C/D/N/S equivalent.

CONCOURS: £20,000 TO £30,000-PLUS

Here you’ll want a standard car (or mild mods) with excellent original or restored bodywork and less than 40,000 miles. Thirty big ones will bag a sub-15,000-miler, while delivery-mileage RSs could command £40k or more.