Highlights
- Well known car in AVO circles being formerly campaigned by Andrew Smith
- Matching numbers car with its original Type 49 AVO shell and date stamped panels
- Benefits from a full engine rebuild and replacement gearbox
- Recently serviced and recommissioned
- Fantastic opportunity to own one of the classic world’s most desirable cars
The Appeal
Ford perfected the art of building race-winning cars that would help sell cars in showrooms. The firm’s hegemony on the world’s rally circuits proved so successful that its Halewood factory couldn’t cope with demand for the road-going RS1600.
A dedicated factory was then created at Aveley to build the race cars and the road cars and it was called Advance Vehicle Operations, or AVO for short. For a few short years between late 1970 and early 1975 AVO designed and built a range of high performance race and road Escorts that differed in key detail from their more humble brethren and are now amongst the most sought-after of all fast Fords.
The Escort RS2000 was designed to slot between the complex RS1600 and the Mexico to offer a simpler and easier to maintain option for buyers. Ford had to build 5,0000 for Group 1 homologation but the general consensus is that, despite achieving Homologation, only 3,500 were actually built.
This is quite clearly one of them. Well known to the enthusiastic AVO and RS owners clubs and with great provenance, this matching numbers car is a fantastic opportunity to own a piece of motoring art.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 4th April 1974
- VIN records confirm that this is a genuine AVO car built at Aveley
- Chassis shows it left the factory in March 1974, car number 248 built that month
- Current owner since 11th March 2023
- Owned by Andrew Smith between 1980 and 2010 and used regularly for historic and classic rallies
- Matching numbers car with correct Type 49 shell with date stamped panels showing 1974 date
- Chassis number correctly stamped into driver’s side suspension
- Features correct factory AVO modification including thicker floor and anti-tramp fitted holes in rear boot floor
- We are told that this car is well known in AVO and RS owners club circles
- Vendor states that the car has received a full engine rebuild and new gearbox
- Recently fitted with new tyres, exhaust and brakes and serviced
- History file includes old invoices and receipts for parts and evidence of the car’s AVO membership
The Interior
- Very original interior with some subtle upgrades
- AVO RS seats and headrests, which are unique to the RS2000
- Fittings in good condition with only light signs of use
- Passenger side door trim has a small area of damage
- Dashboard uncracked and well kept
- Lower dashboard upgraded with carbon-effect trim and some auxiliary switches
- Tinted glass
- Sabelt red racing harnesses
- Original 6 dial dashboard in good, lightly aged condition
The joy of the RS2000 is that it took the simplicity of the original Escort and added judicially placed sporting upgrades such as the ‘full set’ of dials. The result is an unadorned yet stylish interior that offers much for enthusiasts to find and spot to check the originality of any RS200 example.
This car ticks almost all of the originality boxes, including the AVO RS seats, including the headrests which are specific to the RS2000 model. They are in very good condition, just some very light wear visible on the braiding of the driver’s seat. Sabelt red harnesses are fitted.
Elsewhere the six dials are present and in good condition with only light signs of aging. The door cards are similarly well presented with only a small mark detracting from the passenger side.
The plastic dashboard is in very good condition appearing uncracked with full set of undamaged vents. The lower half appears to be fitted with carbon-effect wrap and there are a number of auxiliary switches.
The Exterior
- Attractively standard Type 49 bodyshell finished in Ford White with blue stripes and factory four-spoke Ronal wheels
- The paintwork and fixtures are in superb condition with no visible marks or damage
- Chromework is of a similar standard with good shine and no visible pitting
- Two spare wheels
- Four rally spotlights
- Headlight shields
- Battery in boot
- Original door mirrors
- Lower stone guard
- Underside reflects the high standard of the car with no visible deterioration
The ‘coke bottle’ styling of the original Escort naturally lent itself to enhancement and the makeover Ford executed for the RS2000 was simply done but highly effective. Ronal four spoke alloys, side stripes and discreet badges were all it took to elevate the RS2000 well above the more humble models.
It looks particularly good in the Ford White with blue stripes of this smart example. It has clearly been restored during its life - particularly bearing in mind that it was campaigned on historic and classic rallies for 20 years - and the work has been done to a high standard. The MOT records are sparse but indicate little use since 2015, including a spell in a showroom as part of a classic Ford collection.
The car is pleasingly standard with the addition of four rally spot lights and a pair of headlight shields.
The Mechanics
- 2litre Pinto OHC 4cyl Ford engine, which was new for the RS2000
- 4spd manual gearbox
- K&N filter
- Recently serviced
- New tyres, exhaust and brake recently fitted
- We are told that the engine has been fully rebuilt and the car is fitted with a recent gearbox
With the RS1600 and Mexico Escorts already catering for sporting-orientated buyers, Ford decided there was scope for a car to fit between, one that was mechanically more simple - and therefore easier to maintain - than the existing RS but more powerful than the Mexico.
Cue the RS2000, powered by Ford’s all-new 2litre Pinto engine with gusto sufficient to crack the all important 100bhp. Heady stuff for the early 70s, particularly given the lightweight, agile and rear wheel drive Escort shell.
We understand that this car is factory standard but with a rebuilt engine and recently replaced 4spd gearbox. It is equipped with a K&N filter and has been recently serviced. Tyres, exhaust and brakes have also recently been overhauled.
Summary
There have been many fast Fords but only a few were built by the short-lived, but long-reaching AVO unit at Aveley. The RS2000 was one of them and only 3,500 people were lucky enough to buy one.
Well known in AVO and RS circles and with great provenance, this enthusiast-owned RS2000 is the real deal. Don’t miss this opportunity to buy one of Ford’s rarest and most sought-after rally-to-road crossover successes.
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