1974 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1

The Escort RS2000 was the last car to be introduced to Ford's Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) 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 11th November 1973 priced at £1,586. The RS2000 once again proved to be a quick and delightful car to drive, whilst being more accessible to buy and still offering customers a great choice in terms of colours and options.

The car presented here is one of the original 5,334 Mk1 RS2000s built and was first registered in April 1974. It's finished in the seldom seen but undeniably striking Sebring Red and is offered directly from an out and out Ford perfectionist who had spent years searching for the most 'perfect' RS2000 to add to their Collection of stunning Fords. Ford did not keep detailed production records broken down by colours, so the exact number of Sebring Red RS2000s produced is not well documented, however it is considered one of the rarer colour combinations as Olympic Blue and Diamond White were more popular at the time, which only serves to benefit this car, standing out for the right reasons.

The car offered here is a genuine, matching numbers AVO example that benefited from a full ground-up restoration in 2015, carried out with meticulous attention to detail and a clear passion for authenticity. The restoration made use of numerous new/old stock (NOS) parts, carefully sourced from around the world including Australia and Belgium, ensuring that no compromise was made in returning the car to its highest glory. The history file reads like a novel, being exceptionally comprehensive in detailing the restoration costs, photographs and history of the cars previous ownership.

The engine was fully rebuilt as part of the process, with the work thoroughly documented in a dedicated file containing photographs within the history file, with c.£22,000 being invested in the bodywork alone, it is fair to say the results speak for themselves.

Inside, the car remains faithful to its factory specification, with the seats professionally refurbished using original Ford Beta cloth. New carpets have been fitted and the headlining and door cards present in excellent condition. A pair of wood-lacquered door cappings are also included and await fitting.

Mechanically, the car remains true to its period-correct character, including the intermittent rev counter functionality, a known quirk of the era. The clock has been intentionally disconnected to prevent battery drain when not in regular use.

In June 2022, five new 175/70VR13 Pirelli Cinturato CN36 tyres were fitted, reinforcing the car’s attention to correct and high quality detail. The original MW/LW stereo remains in place, a charming nod to the car’s 1970s heritage and it also comes complete with a period correct jack and tool sack.

A genuine, matching numbers, Sebring Red AVO car with such superb provenance, history and thoughtful restoration, this example represents a fabulous opportunity to own one of the finest presenting RS2000s we’ve ever seen.