Description
1996 MK6 Ford Escort RS2000 4x4
It is a rare 4x4. Reputedly only 500 were built, with only 350 making it for road use, the rest being allocated for competition.
N359 CNC was purchased and registered in the UK, but spent most of its early life in the South of France where the owner had moved to work and live at that time. The dry weather there has most likely played a large part in its preservation. It has a full service history from 1996 until 2002 covering 70, 000 miles for that period, mainly from a Ford dealership in Nice. Although the V5 shows one previous owner, it was actually a one owner car as he had transferred it from himself to his company (all documented).
The vehicle came back to the UK in 2002 and was used sparingly for a year. lt was MOT’d in the summer of 2003 at 72, 000 miles and shortly afterwards parked in a private and dry residential garage in London.
N359 CNC remained in the London garage until I was lucky enough to purchase it as part of a deceased estate in February 2019. A true barn (or garage) find.
After the car was transported home a new battery was fitted and over the coming months was mechanically recommissioned, serviced with replacement filters and fluids refreshed. The car was soon running sweetly and sailed through a new MOT picking up no advisories.
Although totally rust free, with all straight panels, spending the best part of 16 years in the garage took its toll on the paintwork as there was widespread cracking of the paint lacquer. As a result, I had the vehicle undergo a full professional respray in its original Ash black which looks splendid against its unmarked standard alloy wheels.
The vehicle is totally original with no modifications (still has the original Ford 5000 stereo and unmolested parcel shelf). It has never been welded. The car would benefit from fresh underseal treatment but have left this for now so that prospective purchasers can see its originality with no cover ups.
The interior is in great condition with factory Recaro seats, tilt and slide sunroof, air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors and all fully functioning.
It has until now been part of my small private collection, but due to a recent new acquisition and in order to free up some space and funds, after much consideration I have decided to sell. A decision I may live to regret as prices of these rare models are set to rise.
It has recently been put through a fresh MOT (No advisories) and received a fresh set of Pirelli tyres all round.
Comes complete with a comprehensive history, stamped service book, invoices, bills, Mot’s, original handbooks and HPI report available.
