1978 Ford Escort RS 2000

Lot details
Registration No: AVO250T
Chassis No: GCATC010091
Mot Expiry: Feb 2011

In terms of accessibility, the RS2000 has some claim to being the performance flagship of the Escort MKII range (as a homologation special the RS1800 was never put into full-scale production). Developed in conjunction with Ford of Cologne and launched during January 1976, it was based around a two-door monocoque bodyshell equipped with independent MacPherson strut front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle, rack-and-pinion steering and disc / drum brakes. Powered by a longitudinally-mounted 1993cc SOHC four-cylinder engine allied to four-speed manual transmission, the RS2000 was credited with 110bhp and a 110mph plus top speed. Visually distinguished from its lesser brethren by an angled fibreglass snout housing quad headlamps, the model could be had in 'Custom' and - from 1978 onwards - 'Basic' guises; the latter doing without alloy wheels, tinted glass or a boot carpet etc. Great fun to drive with wonderfully chuckable handling, the MKII RS2000 has become increasingly collectible.

This particular example is understood to have been sympathetically modified by its previous keeper so as to make it into "a powerful yet tractable and reliable machine suitable for both road and trackday use". Extensively overhauled using Burton components, the engine boasts "a Piper cam with Vernier gears, Ashley manifold / exhaust system, Facet fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and twin Weber 45DCOE carburettors". Drive is taken to the rear wheels via "a heavy duty clutch, Type 9 five-speed gearbox and Quaife LSD", while the suspension has been enhanced by means of "Capri 2.8 front struts with Bilstein inserts and poly-bushed single leaf rear springs". Forest-style wheelarch extensions house "new 7x13 Superlite alloys shod with Yokohama tyres" and sharpened responses come from "a quick rack and Willwood 4-pot callipers gripping vented front discs". The interior is comparatively stock except for "a detachable Safety Devices rear rollcage". The vendor also informs us that "Although there are no receipts available for the vast expense incurred (he was worried that his wife might discover them), the way in which the RS2000 performs is proof enough of the money spent. As an indication of how well the car has been sorted, it will idle smoothly at tickover within a minute of starting and the original dashboard-mounted electric clock still works. It also has a nice registration (AVO) Advanced Vehicle Operation".