Lot Ended
Description
Rock-solid Australian import; 5-speed gearbox; electric power
steering; long range fuel tank; adjustable suspension; ported big valve
head; tubular manifold; ss exhaust; electronic ignition; a fabulous example of
this sought-after Fast Ford
Ford introduced
the RS Rallye Sport models back in 1970. Originally designed as a way of making
limited numbers of homologation specials, it soon grew into a major marketing
opportunity, and one that Ford grabbed with both
hands.
By 1976, when the RS2000 Mk2 was
launched, the term RS was understood to mean something a bit special. Unlike the
Mk1 Escort which was developed by Ford of Britain, the Mk2 was a more
sophisticated car that was jointly developed with Ford
Germany.
Based on a standard Mk2 two-door saloon
shell, the RS2000 used the familiar 2-litre Pinto engine driving the rear wheels
via a 4-speed gearbox. Using a twin-choke Weber carb it was good for 110mph with
the 0-60mph dash taking 8.5 seconds. Its distinguishing feature was a ‘droop
snoot’ polyurethane nose housing four headlamps which gave it a pleasingly
sporty look.
In late 1978 the Custom Pack became
an option and included Recaro 'fishnet' seats, full door cards, pod centre
console, a clock, 6J x 13" alloys, boot carpet, remote driver’s door mirror and
a black painted panel around the rear lights.
Much in demand across the world, the Escort Mk2 was also assembled in
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and, somewhat bizarrely, in Israel too.
Production finally came to an end in July 1980.
This stunning RS2000 is one of 2,400 that were built at Ford’s
Homebush plant in Sydney in 1979/80, although that total included 880 four-door
models which were unique to the Australian market.
Virtually identical to the UK-built model, it had beefed up
suspension to cope with local road conditions, wider 6.5J alloys, an uprated
radiator and a long-range fuel tank with the filler cap concealed behind the
rear number plate – an essential modification in a vast country where petrol
stations could be a day’s drive apart.
The
all-black interior also had some minor trim differences and the doors had
additional side crash protection to meet tougher Australian safety
regulations.
Imported to the UK from Adelaide in
July 2016 and registered here as DBU 205V, it has had just two owners since, the
first keeping it until 2022 and spending much money improving and uprating the
car.
Invoices on file indicate that the work
included: rolling road engine tune; electric power
steering; Pro-Fuel pressure regulator; new head gasket; new water pump; Hi-Spec
brake kit; prop shaft balanced; steering alignment with new track rod ends and
rack gaiters; new front and rear windscreen rubbers and door seals; new cabin
heater; wiring loom replaced as required; high output alternator; high torque
starter motor; new o/s/r fog lamp; additional sound proofing; new zinc plated
door striker catches; speedo rebuilt and correlated to mileage at import plus
much else besides.
Other features include: K-Mac
adjustable suspension; tubular 4-into-1 exhaust manifold; stainless steel
exhaust; electronic ignition; aluminium windscreen washer bottle, oil catchment
tank and high capacity radiator; battery relocated to the boot; factory glass
sunroof; USB port on the centre console.
Our
vendor acquired the car in September 2022 and has improved it still further,
including having the big valve cylinder head ported and rebuilt with a new Kent
fast road camshaft. A mature gent who wanted the car for shows and cruising
rather than track days, he found the twin Webers too racy
for road use so they were replaced with a single Weber downdraught carb
which makes it more civilised in town traffic.
Classed as a Historic Vehicle on the V5C and thus MOT-exempt, it
nevertheless has an MOT until October 2025 with just one minor advisory ('n/s/r
shock absorber has light misting of oil’). Eight old MOTs show that it has
covered just under 4,000 miles since it was imported, the odometer currently
showing 59,943 miles.
As you can see in the
photos, this RS2000 looks absolutely wonderful and the bodywork appears
rock-solid and original thanks to spending its first 36 years in sunny
Australia. We are told that the only evidence of any welding carried out is
a small repair to the n/s/r suspension spring mounting and another small
repair to the bottom of the spare wheel well.
Although the yellow paintwork looks excellent in natural daylight,
under the unforgiving strip lights of our classic car barn there are traces of
microblistering here and there, principally on the roof but too fine to show in
photographs.
Said to drive beautifuly, this
pampered and judiciously modified RS2000 was driven to the sale from Hereford
and has been starting promptly and running very nicely indeed as we have moved
it around on site. Eminently tunable, it could be turned into a proper rally
weapon should the new owner feel so inclined.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – [email protected]