Sold by Iconic Auctioneers at the annual Silverstone Festival, the high-performance hatchback is a pre-production example, being hand-built by Ford at an estimated cost of £250,000.
However, Jeremy would later return to the driving seat of the car during the BBC series 'Clarkson's Car Years', where he would refer to it as one of his all time favourite cars.
A Classic Car With an Interesting History
Whilst it has been nearly 25 years since Jeremy Clarkson drove the Ford Escort auctioned at Silverstone, the model has still been extensively cherished by later owners.
Before being put up for sale, it underwent extensive maintenance and minor improvements to the interior to give it a much fresher yet still authentic appearance.
As a result, after a lengthy bidding war between drivers in the auction house above the International Paddock and online, the fast Ford sold for £67,500.
Not the Most Expensive Car at the Auction
Whilst the Escort RS Cosworth fetched a tidy sum when it went under the hammer, it was not the most expensive model that was sold by Iconic Auctioneers at Silverstone Festival.
A 2001 Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 SE Coupe with just 564 miles on the clock fetched a staggering £427,500 during the weekend event.
One of just 42 right-hand drive examples ever made, the Lamborghini uses the legendary 6.0-litre V12 engine that helps it to accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.95 seconds and a top speed of more than 200mph.
A Classic Merc on Sale
Nevertheless, motorists looking to buy their next set of wheels did not need deep pockets during the Silverstone Auction, with a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E selling for just £6,750.
Whilst the luxurious family saloon did not have any famous owners, it was in beautiful condition, with no rust and various changes to the mechanicals.
Having covered more than 80,000 miles, the Merc was by no means the lowest mileage car at the auction. However, with many examples being used as taxis to cover over 200,000 miles, the German classic has plenty of life left in it.
The Future of Classic Cars
The sale of Clarkson's Ford Escort is just one example of the growing popularity of classic cars. With the rise of online auctions and a growing number of enthusiasts, classic cars are becoming increasingly sought after by collectors and investors alike. It remains to be seen how the market for classic cars will develop in the future, but one thing is certain: classic cars are here to stay.
