1996 Ford Escort RS 2000

Lot details
Registration No: N978KNK
Chassis No: WF0BXXGCABTG38696
Mot Expiry: April 2012

Ford's proud RS (Rallye Sport) heritage dates back to November 1970, when Graham Hill drove the first AVO-built RS1600 off the production line at South Ockenden, Essex. Since then the famous moniker has adorned some nineteen high performance road cars. The first RS2000 left the production line in July 1973. Based on the MKI Escort, it was intended to exploit the gap between the relatively benign Kent-engined Mexico and the unashamedly competition-orientated BDA-engined RS1600. Instantly recognisable by the broad stripes on their flanks, these 2000cc Pinto-engined Escorts quickly achieved success in rallying and racing and good examples are now keenly sought. Come the end of MKI Escort production, the famous AVO line was disbanded and all subsequent RS2000s built in the main factories. First up was the distinctive `droopsnoot' MKII of 1976 - another model to have achieved collectors' status. There was then effectively a hiatus until the Escort MKV and VI-based RS2000s of the 1990s. Determined to make the latest variant a worthy successor to the much vaunted MKI/IIs, Ford launched the newcomer via a dedicated race/rally series. It was powered by a 150bhp 16-valve version of the 1998cc DOHC engine used in the Sierra and Scorpio and could sprint to 60mph in 8.3 seconds and to a top speed of 130mph. Suspension was by MacPherson struts at the front and torsion beam axle and trailing arms at the rear. Steering was by rack and pinion and braking by discs - vented at the front. Production of the RS2000 line finally ceased in June 1996, leaving it the last Escort to wear the iconic RS badge and the last RS-badged car of any sort to be built before the arrival of the RS Focus in 2002.

Road registered during the final month of RS2000 production, `N978 KNK' is finished in Red with a Grey cloth interior. It sports a factory fitted sunroof, stereo and alloy wheels and comes with service book and an MOT into April next year. The vendor believes but does not warrant the indicated mileage of 31,600 to be genuine and considers the bodywork, paintwork, trim, engine and gearbox to be all "good".