1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Custom

It was back in 1970 that Ford introduced their Rally Sport models - the RS range. Originally designed as a way of building limited numbers of homologation specials for serious competition use, 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 had grown to mean something quite special.

Unlike the Mk1 Escort which was designed by Ford of Great Britain, the Mk2 was a much more sophisticated design that was jointly developed with Ford of Germany. Based on a standard Mk2 two-door saloon shell, the RS2000 used the familiar 2-litre, inline four-cylinder, SOHC, Pinto engine mounted longitudinally in the bay driving the rear wheels. A single, twin-venturi 32/36 DGAV Weber carburettor was fitted with the option of a 'Group 1' dual Weber 40DCNF or IDF set up. The front suspension used independent MacPherson struts with an anti-roll bar and, at the rear, traditional leaf springs with telescopic dampers were utilised. Front-mounted discs and rear drums were used and 4-spoke alloy wheels came as standard. Its biggest distinguishing feature was a droop snoot polyurethane nose housing four headlamps which gave it a rather aggressive look. The new car was capable of 110mph with 0-60mph taking 8.9 seconds, not too shabby in 1976 and which, combined with the car's distinctive looks and that shiny RS badge, set Ford's showroom doors swinging.

In late 1978, the Custom Pack became an option and included the following:

Fishnet Recaro seats, full door cards, clock and pod centre console, 6J x 13" alloys, boot carpet, remote drivers door mirror and the back panel around the rear lights was painted black.

First registered on 13th February 1980, this final year of production car has been subjected to a three-year intensive restoration, making it one of the best RS2000s we've seen, finished to the highest OEM/OEM+ standards with meticulous attention to detail. Mechanically, the engine has been professionally rebuilt and features an FR30 high-torque cam, +0.020 re-bore with new pistons, and all-new components including a Piper stainless steel custom manifold with a full exhaust system, new carburettor, oversized alloy radiator, electronic ignition, and an electric fuel pump with pressure regulator and filter. The original-specification 4-speed Type-E gearbox has been retained and rebuilt with new seals and bearings, ensuring that the car remains intact, as a 5-speed unit would have required altering the tunnel. A new, single-piece prop shaft is mated to a rebuilt rear axle, complete with new bearings, seals, and an overhauled differential with the correct 3.54:1 ratio.

The suspension and handling have been improved with one inch lowering blocks at the rear, one inch lowering springs at the front, new rear leaf springs, Gaz adjustable shocks, shot-blasted and powder-coated NOS front struts, alloy front hubs, and a new 2.1 ratio steering rack with track-rod ends, all sitting on new JBW wheels shod in Yokohama tyres ensuring a responsive yet comfortable experience.

Cosmetically the car has benefited from a hugely expensive professional respray, correct rear light lenses and a bonnet line that impeccably aligns with the nose cone. Inside, the Aldridge interior has been retrimmed, including seats, carpet and underlay, door cards, and rear quarter trims. The dashboard has a new circuit board for dash clocks, LED bulbs and a rebuilt steering column. The underside has received the same level of care as the interior and topside. No underseal has been applied, every bracket/component has been meticulously cleaned, shot-blasted, primed and sprayed and all seals and bearings have been replaced with new ones.

The extensive rebuild is thoroughly documented with over 300 photos and a large folder of receipts, both keys and numerous original handbooks and Ford folders accompany this genuine RS2000 Custom.