Back in the day, Ford UK built Princess Diana a bespoke black RS Turbo. This is that car...
What cars spring to mind when you think of the Royals? Is it the Queen’s endless supply of green-on-cream Range Rovers? Or the cheese and wine powered Aston Martin DB5 Volante that Prince Charles loves to roll around in? Perhaps it’s the exquisitely optionedthat we featured on here last year. Either way, the Royals love to drive themselves about – preferably in something wallowy and built by a British manufacturer.
Princess Diana, though, did things a little differently. While the rest of the Royals were being ferried around in heavily armoured land yachts, she was tearing around Pall Mall in all manner of ‘normal’ things ranging fromCabriolets to a Ford Escort Ghia with a silver frog ornament on the bonnet. She was the People’s Princess, after all. What made her the coolest royal of the lot was that for a brief period her she rolled about in a Ford Escort RS Turbo.
So how on Earth did Lady Di dodge the luxury barges and get her hands on one of the hottest of hatches of the era? It all started with, you guessed it, another. The Royal Protection Group weren’t all that pleased that the wife of the next in line for the throne was driving about in a bright red Escort Cabrio with little to no privacy or protection. Presumably in the mood for something with a bit more punch, Diana requested an Escort RS Turbo Series 1 as a replacement.
Given that the Diana’s Escort Cabrio was a bit on the flash side, what with it being red and roofless, the white-only Series 1 RS Turbo meant she’d stick out like a sore thumb pulling out of Clarence House. Ford’s PR department decided it would be stealthier if they supplied Diana’s car in black – making it the only Series 1 to be produced in the colour. Surely there are better ways for a Royal to blend into the background than driving a one-of-one RS Turbo.
After clocking 6,800 miles between 1985 and 1988, the one-off RS Turbo was sent back to Ford where it was bought by the company’s Government Sales department Geoff King for his wife. Then, bizarrely, it was sold off to Kiss FM where it was given away as part of a competition in September 1993.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Here's How The Base Ford F-150 Lightning Pro Stacks Up Against A Well Equipped LariatHow does a base model F-150 Lightning Pro compare with a well-equipped Lariat? YouTube channel TFLnow decided to find out.
Read more »
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Happens To Be Thirsty In Bjørn Nyland's Range TestThe Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is another EV model that was range tested by Bjørn Nyland. The car has a decent range, but is lower than expected considering the battery size.
Read more »
NHTSA Is Investigating Ford Bronco Engine FailuresThe Bronco’s 2.7-liter engine is under investigation because of possible catastrophic failures. Here's what you need to know.
Read more »
Do Some 2021 Ford Bronco V-6 Engines Have a Fatal Flaw?A string of engine failures has some Bronco fans fuming.
Read more »
NHTSA Is Investigating Ford Bronco Engine FailuresThe Bronco’s 2.7-liter engine is under investigation because of possible catastrophic failures. Here's what you need to know.
Read more »
Used Ford GT for sale2022 '71' reg with 350 miles. Frozen White with Black Interior, Lightening Blue Stripes, Gloss Black 20'' Forged Rims, Blue Brembo Brake Calipers with Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Exterior Exposed Gloss Black Carbon, Dark Energy Interior Theme, Alcantara Covered Steering Wheel, 7 Point Harness Anchor Points, Stainless Steel Exhaust, 7 Speed Dual Clutch Automated Transmission, Front and Rear Independent Suspension with Variable Ride Height, Selectable Drive Mode. Main Dealer Prepared Cars at Specialist Prices
Read more »