Source: private party

A Ford Escort RS Cosworth once owned by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson is for sale on Auto Trader.

Described by the world’s most famous motoring journalist as ‘one of my all-time favourite cars’ and ‘the ultimate hot hatch’ the 1993 Cossie packs some serious punch.

Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, the standard Escort RS Cosworth produces 227bhp with power channelled through a five-speed manual gearbox.

This means the three-door hot hatch – which has 34 per cent power sent to the front wheels and 66 per cent to the rear – rockets from 0-60mph in a hair-raising 5.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 140mph.

And for those brave enough to remove the spoiler, the Cossie will hit 147mph.

Clarkson’s Ford is even quicker, benefiting from a bigger turbo, uprated fuel pump and a modified head gasket.

But it comes with a high insurance premium – the RS Cosworth is in group 20 out of 20.

Clarkson once had an insurance quote of £25,000 for the car – which cost £23,000 new.

The Mallard metallic green monster features a sporty bodykit, huge rear spoiler and 18-inch six spoke alloys.

Other features on the Ford include full black leather seats, electric windows, CD player and an alarm and immobiliser.

The Escort comes with masses of history, ten months MOT and has covered just 72,000 miles.

Now you can get your hands on Jezza’s old pride and joy – which he named Gary – for £16,989.

3 Doors, Manual 5 speed, Hatchback, Petrol, 72,732 miles, Metallic Green. THIS IS NOT YOUR STANDARD ESCORT COSWORTH, 1 OFF 3 FORD PROTO TYPE BIGGER TURBO MODEL/ HAND BUILT CARS WITH AN INVESTMENT OF £1.5 MILLION), PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY JEREMY CLARKSON WITH A FULL DOCUMENTED HISTORY, REG NO K38 FMC, MALLARD GREEN METALLIC, GENUINE 72732 MILES WITH A MASSIVE CATALOGUE OFF HISTORY, STAGE 3 PROFESSIONAL POWER UPGRADE CONVERSION, BIGGER TURBO, UPRATED FUEL PUMP, GREEN INJECTORS AND A MODIFIED HEADGASKET, FULL BLACK RECARO SPORTS LEATHER INTERIOR, POWER STEERING WITH A SRS SAFETY AIRBAG, REMOTE CENTRAL LOCKING WITH AN ALARM/IMMOBILISER, ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND MIRRORS, RDS CODED STEREO SYSTEM WITH A SEPERATE CD PLAYER, AS NEW 18 INCH SPOKED RONDELL ALLOYS WITH MEATY PIRELLI P ZERO TYRES ALL ROUND, DRILLED DISCS ALL ROUND, PERFORMANCE EXHAUST AND SUSPENSION, COLOUR CODED BUMPERS AND MIRRORS. MOT 10 MONTHS, TAX AVAILABLE. DEALER FACILITIES, FINANCE AND WARRANTYS OPTIONAL, INDOOR VIEWING. VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. FANTASTIC EXAMPLE OF THIS ESCORT COSWORTH LUX T3 WITH A MASSIVE PORTFOLIO IN A POPULAR COLOUR.