The MK2 Escort RS2000 is a car that really needs no introduction, having already cemented itself as one of the all time greats among Ford enthusiasts. The model that so perfectly epitomises the fast Ford it showed the brand just how well the public would respond if you put a punchy performance driveline in a standard production car. Buyers found themselves fighting through the Ford forecourts to get their hands on what is perhaps one of the most significant cars of its era, and demand never really seems to have died down.
As with any fast Ford of the era, demand for good quality examples is soaring, but for those in the market for an MK2 RS2000 with a little bit more going on, this may just be the perfect car.
An older restoration, this 1979 RS2000 Custom stands today in exceptional condition and is an absolute head turner. Boasting some subtle, but effective modifications, whilst retaining a healthy dose of its originality, it screams of 1970s nostalgia and must surely be one of the best presented examples available for purchase today.21PlOzszKVHOtoat5vgNQEdeFDBa33nVclx4uGob.jpg741.37 KB
The History and Paperwork
First registered 20/09/1979
Historic restoration
Accompanied by a vast selection of previous MOT certificates
Current MOT valid with no advisories into April 2024
Tax exempt due to the car’s historic status and age
Small selection of invoices for more recent maintenance work undertaken on the car
V5 registration document is present with the vehicle
The Interior
Well preserved, clean cabin
Fishnet Recaro seats
RS Custom trim level
Presented in highly original order
Neat, clean, exceptionally well presented. Immediately after opening the doors one is presented with what is surely one of the better preserved examples of a MK2 RS2000 interior space. There are a few stand out points to note in here, perhaps most notably the impressively rare and highly desirable fishnet Recaro sports seats, but overall this is a solid, simple, very original RS2000 Custom cabin.
Quality black upholstery is the name of the game here, adorning the majority of the surfaces, including the aforementioned fishnet Recaros, which come draped in a wonderful two tone black upholstered setup. Well preserved, these look to have avoided more heavy and regular use and therefore lack the more commonly seen signs of age or excessive wear to the bolsters. It should be noted however that the tilting mechanism situated on the driver's seat is missing its lever and so cannot be tilted forward at present. The rest of the upholstery found throughout the car, including that of the rear bench seat is of a wonderful standard and presents in fine form.
Neat and simple door panels take precedence at the sides of the cabin, draped in black vinyl of a good clean standard, smartly detailed with chrome embellishments and neat door furniture, all of which is working correctly. Focusing on the front of the cabin, attention is immediately drawn to a wonderful three spoke RS steering wheel which looks to be in great clean form, alongside a simple, high quality black dash panel which appears to be lacking in signs of UV sun damage or cracking.
All of the interior trim and switchgear present in lovely clean order and appear to be in fine fettle, with everything understood to be working as it should. Moving to the rear we find ourselves looking at a simple, but well sized boot area, which holds the battery in a bespoke, billet style battery holder.
The Exterior
Beautifully presented with quality upgrades
Genuine Mexico front spoiler
Early front sport style quarter bumpers
Sporting more aggressive, angular looks than its MK1 Escort forebear, the MK2 Escort was already a high ranker in the aesthetic department in its standard guise, the example we have here though, sports some subtle tweaks and styling upgrades that turn everything looks wise, up to 11.
Finished in what we believe to be Ford’s Diamond white, the Escort presents in impeccable form from an aesthetic standpoint, boasting excellent quality paintwork, notably lacking in signs of wear, patina or age related marking, well embellished with contrasting black RS2000 decals and side striping. Despite being an older restoration, this is an outstandingly well preserved car and the good quality bodywork really highlights that.
There are some modifications and upgrades, from a styling point of view, that make this particular car stand out from the average MK2 Escort, namely at the front end. Here we find a genuine Mexico front spoiler, sport front quarter bumpers indicative of an earlier car finished in black and a set of excellent Cibie, quad rally style fog lights. Mix all of this together with the quality styling and trim that comes as standard, and you get an absolute head turner of a car.
Exterior trim, including the contrasting black bumpers, rear boot lip spoiler and external badging are all in fine fettle and present as such. At ground level we are presented with iconic 13” RS alloy wheels, all four of which are in great clean shape and work well with the rest of the car to give it incredible road presence. Panel gaps and shut lines all appear to be straight and consistent across the car as well.4EEVQcBpy6XDHWEeaG1bhsj6t7MG02ZrAgzFmAyy.jpg864.21 KB
Legendary, 2.0 litre Ford engine still resides in the front
5 speed gearbox conversion
Subtle mechanical upgrades to improve road holding and overall performance
Where any fast Ford really comes into its own…
Embellished with quality upgrades to improve general drivability, performance and road holding, this certainly isn't a standard RS2000, but still retains a good level of originality from a mechanical perspective, perhaps the perfect blend for a genuinely usable showpiece.
Under the bonnet we still find a legendary 2.0 litre four cylinder Ford engine, the very essence of what made this car so special. As we understand this hasn’t seen much, if anything in the way of modification but instead has been well maintained and refurbished throughout the years. The engine itself presents wonderfully well and fires into life quickly and comfortably before settling into a solid idle. The surrounding engine bay is of an equally clean standard and where we begin to see more notable modifications.
As denoted by the vendor we understand a World Cup cross member has been fitted, along with a double width anti roll bar kit and coilover front struts to improve the car’s dynamic capability. In the name of general performance, a four branch exhaust has also been installed. Perhaps the most notable and effective modification comes in the form of the transmission, with the somewhat underwhelming original box being swapped out for a far better five speed alternative to help better deal with the power and modern traffic speeds.
On the road the Escort provides a wonderful driving experience and it immediately becomes apparent why these cars come so highly respected. The MK2 provides solid power delivery and crisp gear changes, although it should be noted that the clutch is slightly on the lower side and may need adjustment. Underneath appears to be exceptionally clean and solid, yet another sign this has been a well cared for car post restoration.xxk8QTPiLaxbru84mrd16Nniw0QFUSAIQKItBJna.jpg799.35 KB
Summary
A subtly modified MK2 RS2000? There’s very little not to like here.
This is a truly excellent example of one of Ford’s most revered performance models, presented in fine form throughout, with high quality modifications. It beautifully blends subtle modification with honest originality to make what must surely be one of the finest and certainly most interesting examples of a MK2 available on the market today.
Notice to bidders
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