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 2026
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 4,500 miles since it was
imported, the odometer currently showing 60,564
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.
Contact
james.booth@brightwells.com