1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Custom

In September 1978, Ford introduced the RS2000 'Custom' which came fitted with 'Fishnet' Recaro seats, full door cards, clock and pod, centre console, 6Jx13" alloys, boot carpet, remote driver's door mirror and a black panel around the rear lights. In 1980, an RS2000 Custom was an extremely aspirational purchase, with the distinctive polyurethane 'droop snoot' front end and air dam, distinguishing it from any other Escort.

Finished in Signal Red with a Chocolate Brown interior, this Escort RS2000 Custom was supplied new in June 1980 via the Ford main dealer E. Hodgson & Son Ltd. of Retford, Nottinghamshire to its original owner, a Mr Bentley of Sheffield. In July 1990 it was sold to its second keeper, a Mr Leathers of Alfreton, who had always wanted a 'new' or the 'best RS' but having never achieved this, sourced this one previous owner example from Sheffield. In 1991, Mr Leathers' desire for perfection meant that the car was fully stripped down, with new/genuine parts sourced, from as far away as Germany, whilst the body-shop worked on the car between jobs and at weekends. Two years passed before the bodyshell was fully completed and Mr Leathers took delivery of his 'rolling' project with the intention of finishing it, however other commitments resulted in it remaining unfinished for another 12 years before finally stalling. Our vendor heard, through a friend, about the RS and upon seeing the quality of the work done thus far, he just had to buy it. This was in August 2005, when it was moved into his sealed, dehumidified workshop and when time and monies allowed, it was painstakingly finished – this wasn’t until 2016 – but it was well worth the wait! It has been a regular attendee at RS Owners Club events and meets where it has garnered much admiration.

The car benefits from many new/old stock (NOS) parts and some of the usual period upgrades including a 5-speed gearbox (fully rebuilt) with a quick-shift gear selector, 7" Ronal alloy wheels, new back axle, NOS Ford rear drums, a one-piece prop, new brake & fuel lines, an NOS fuel tank, 'Group 1' Bilstein rear shocks, front NOS Capri 2.8i struts with 'Group 1' inserts, 2.8i vented discs/calipers, single leaf rear springs, braided brake hoses, NOS Weber carb, an Ashley exhaust manifold and system, new radiator and hoses, electronic ignition and a rebuilt dashboard (including circuit foils and voltage regulator). Its original matching numbers engine was fully rebuilt by specialist W.S. Bates Ltd. of Nottingham (re-bored, new pistons, shells, bearings, valves etc.) with a lightly gas-flowed head, plus a period Ford push-button radio, NOS window/screen rubbers, NOS rear boot spoiler and a new brake master cylinder.

Still proudly wearing its original registration number, and sporting its original interior, this two-previous-owners 1980s sports saloon is to be celebrated; these are great cars, with a proper following and deservedly so. The extensive rebuild is documented with photos and invoices, whilst the car drives and runs as well as you’d imagine. A genuine 'best-of-breed' RS2000 Custom, don’t miss it.