1974 Ford Escort RS2000 MK1

• This is a genuine RS2000 first registered on 08/04/1974
• Offered from the stable of rock legend and Jamiroquai frontman, Jason Kay
• Well restored with a host of sensible upgrades
• Recently rebuilt 2.1 Pinto with alloy sump, Webers, phase-3 fast-road cam and a ported head
• 43,246 miles indicated (atoc), mechanically excellent and superbly presented

The Escort RS2000 was the last car to be introduced to Ford's 'Advanced Vehicle' range in June of 1973 and dovetailed nicely with its performance almost comparable to the more complex RS1600, but with the reliability and ease of maintenance of the Mexico. The car used the same Type 49 bodyshell as the Mexico and RS1600, however, there was a new engine in use at Ford, the 2-litre overhead cam, 100bhp, 'Pinto' design, which seemed, on paper, ideal for the RS. Ford then had the major problem of persuading the, less than slender, Pinto engine to fit into the engine bay, which was something it had never been designed to do. The only way of achieving this was by discarding the engine-driven cooling fan and replacing it with a thermostatically controlled Kenlowe unit. The most appropriate gearbox was the German 'E-box', which was totally different to the one fitted to the RS1600, and the final drive was 3.54:1. The car was launched in England on 11/11/1973 priced at ú1,586.

Offered from the amazing and varied stable of rock legend and Jamiroquai frontman, Jason Kay, this car was initially registered on 08/04/1974, and is an original Escort RS2000 supplied with a host of paperwork together with a V5c registration document and a current MOT test certificate. Finished in the instantly recognisable colours of Diamond White with blue stripes, this Escort has benefited from restoration and a host of upgrades including a strengthened bodyshell with a roll cage, jacking points for jack stands and steel bubble arches. Work includes a recently rebuilt 2.1 Pinto engine with alloy sump, Weber carburettors, Newland phase-three fast-road camshaft, ported cylinder head and a heat-wrapped, four branch exhaust manifold. Said to produce 165bhp, the car has a five-speed quick shift gearbox and quick steering rack. Further spec includes Cobra bucket seats with four-point Sabelt harnesses, front discs, anti-roll bar and anti-dive conversion, and a rear brake disc conversion using Sierra Cosworth brake calipers. More recently in January 2020, the car was fitted with new 4 link bushes and rose joints, as well as a rolling road set-up with carburettor tuning.

With an indicated 43,246 miles at the time of cataloguing, superbly presented, and the cachet of celebrity ownership, this little RS is offered turn-key and ready to go. In the mid-seventies, this would have been the car to be seen in and, in 2020, we think it has returned to that status.