1974 Ford Escort RS2000 (Project) |

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1974 Ford Escort RS2000 (Project)

Sold Price

£23,852

Mileage~21,049 on clock
TransmissionManual
Engine2.0-litre
LocationBradford

SOLD

1974 Ford Escort RS2000 (Project)

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Paul Wright

Professional Consigner

1970s rear-wheel-drive high-performance motoring at its best.

The Mk1 Ford Escort was introduced in the UK at the end of 1967, debuting at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1968. It replaced the long-running and successful Anglia. The Escort quickly became a dominant force in rally racing, eventually earning a reputation as one of the most successful rally cars of all time. The Ford Works team was nearly unbeatable in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with perhaps the Escort's most notable victory being the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally, driven by Finnish legend Hannu Mikkola. This triumph inspired the creation of the Escort Mexico special-edition road versions.

In addition to the Mexico, Ford developed the RS1600, which featured a Kent engine block paired with a 16-valve Cosworth cylinder head. These models boasted higher-performance engines, sports suspension, and strengthened bodyshells, making them ideal for rallying. Ford also introduced the RS2000 model as a more reliable alternative to the RS1600. Equipped with a 2.0-litre Pinto engine, the RS2000 was a robust and high-performing vehicle.

Coming to market after just over 18 and a half years with our vendor, this 1974 example is being offered for recommissioning, as it has been standing for several years; however, the good news is that it did have an extensive restoration in the early 1990s.

This listing was written from information supplied by Paul after meeting Andy the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

Over the years, I’ve owned many Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts and always fancied another.

Andy purchased this 1974 Escort RS2000 back in 2007. Since he got the car, he never really took advantage of it due to various work and home commitments. Over the years, the car was stored in Andy’s garage, then in another storage unit, until more recently, where it now stays covered up outside.

It is leaving it outside that has made Andy decide to sell it, as he doesn’t have the time to recommission it and feels that, by leaving it outside, the car will just deteriorate, which would be a huge shame. Therefore, he would rather it go to an enthusiast who will carry out the necessary recommissioning and enjoy it.

Andy will be happy to answer any questions in the comments section below.

Andy

Vehicle Owner

Andy saved £4,140* when they
sold their Ford with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Does it get any better than a Mk1 Escort with four spots sitting up front for that iconic rally-inspired look?

Wheels and Tyres

Fitted with the original four-spoke RS alloys, these have some age-related tarnish on the polished lips, but it wouldn’t take much work to bring them back to their former glory.

The tyres are of a considerable age and have started to crack on the tread, so we would recommend replacing them before use.

Please take the time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

As mentioned earlier, the body was fully restored in the early 1990s, as shown in the paperwork section, which includes a photo album of the work carried out.

The body appears to be in good condition, with just a couple of corrosion blisters, mainly at the bottom of the rear window. The doors, boot, and bonnet align well, with visually even gaps, and no dings or dents were spotted.

We've highlighted our observations in more detail through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take the time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer and to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

Finished in the classic colour of 'Modena Green', the paintwork is generally in good condition, considering it hasn’t been touched for over ten years. There are some scratches that were picked up in storage over the years and have gone down to the primer in places.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these hi-resolution images and videos of the car and make up your own mind about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

All of the windows appear to be in good condition, with just a few minor age-related marks. Some of the window seals do show signs of perishing, but as you probably know, these are readily available from a number of suppliers.

The headlights are in good condition, with a bright finish to the reflectors. The rear lights are also in good condition, with no splits or damage to the lenses.

Please view the photos and video below to review the condition of the glass and trim for yourself.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Fitted with the original RS seats and steering wheel, you know straight away you’re sitting in something quite special.

Seats and Carpets

The original seats are finished in the factory RS fabric, with the logo mounted in the backrest. There are some signs of age to the seat bases, but they appear to be in good condition with no damage. The rear seat is also in good condition, as are both door panels.

Fitted with black carpets, these look to be original and don’t have any excessive wear.

Inside the boot is clean and tidy, and there is an RS spare wheel.

Dashboard

The black vinyl dashboard, for its age, is in very good condition. There is a tiny 1cm split between the two air vents, which could probably be repaired quite easily.

The wooden fascia is also in good condition, with minimal signs of age.

As the car was not running, we were unable to see if the instruments worked.

The odometer shows a reading of ~21,049 miles at the time of our visit.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

Fitted with the original RS three-spoke steering wheel, this is in good condition with just light patina.

The gearknob is the original four-speed item, but the gearbox is now actually a five-speed.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

An iconic 2.0-litre Pinto has been fettled nicely with some tasty improvements.

Engine and Gearbox

From looking through the paperwork, we know the RS2000 underwent an extensive restoration in the early 1990s, which included a fully blueprinted engine.

The engine rebuild received a lightened, balanced crank, Group 1 lightened conrods; a performance Piper 320 camshaft; upgraded Hepolite 93mm pistons; a high-compression cylinder head; and a single 38 DGAS carburettor, which should mean it will perform very well and, as stated in the letter, produce 130bhp at 6200rpm at the wheels.

As we said, the RS2000 does need recommissioning; therefore, we weren’t able to run the car during our visit.

The car was fitted with a five-speed gearbox during the restoration.

Suspension and Brakes

Having been rebuilt in the 1990s, the suspension and braking system were replaced. This has, however, been standing for several years, so it would need a full inspection and overhaul.

The Drive

The ultimate road-going version of the Mk1 Escort era: compact, rear-wheel drive, light, noisy, and wonderfully adjustable on a twisty road. Using a modified and improved 2.0-litre Pinto coupled to what is now a five-speed gearbox driving the rear wheels.

Imagine how much fun this car will be once you’ve carried out the necessary work to get it back up and running.

Electrics and Other

The switchgear does have some fading to the buttons, and, obviously, not being able to run the car, we could not test any of the electrical system.

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History and Paperwork

Photographs speak a thousand words, and the RS2000 has plenty.

There is a nice collection of photographs showing different stages of the restoration, along with a set of invoices that have stayed with the car, some from early in its life. One significant invoice lists the full spec of the engine, which is said to produce ~130 bhp at the wheels.

Although this 1974 RS2000 is a non-runner, we can see from the photos and overall condition that it does need some work, but it is more a recommission and tidy-up than a full restoration.

RS2000s are very thin on the ground nowadays, making this recommissioning project an ideal investment for any 'Fast Ford' fan.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks, including photo ID and V5 verification, and also carried out a history check on the vehicle. This is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has previously been stolen, recorded as being involved in an accident, or has any outstanding finance. Please note, this does not include a mileage-history check.

We've summarised our own view of the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above; however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail. This has been done so you can make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa, and take your time reviewing everything in this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time. We just need to speak to you first and receive valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, please first ask the owner in the comments section below before placing your bid(s), as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car, just like at a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
19.02.2013	MOT	21,019
09.05.2011	MOT	20,996
25.02.2010	MOT	20,967
23.02.2009	MOT	20,860
26.09.2007	MOT	20,782
19.08.2006	MOT	20,540
14.06.2005	MOT	20,263
22.02.2003	MOT	19,174
26.11.2001	MOT	18,878
13.11.2000	MOT	188,832 (Inaccurate Reading)
17.10.1998	MOT	13,321
22.03.1997	MOT	17,967
Late 1980s - early 1990s	Restoration
25.11.1989	MOT	25,039
06.06.1988	MOT	14,747
05.05.1987	MOT	4,504
02.05.1985	MOT	88,061

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Key Details

Year1974
ModelEscort RS2000
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date24.09.1974
CC2000
Mileage~21,049 on clock
ColourModena Green
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimFabric
Chassis #BFATPJ00159
Engine #PJ00159
RestoredYes
Engine RebuildYes
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes
Former Keepers17
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned19 Years
Key FeatureDesirable RS2000
Vehicle RegistrationSOW 146N
Driver’s SideRight
Fuel TypePetrol
Body TypeCoupe
Auction ID3656

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Ask Questions

Seller : AndyRS2000 Sale Date 28.05.2026

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

10 Comments

rs2000

15 days ago

Hi andy does the car have the original engine pls ?

AndyRS2000

Seller

rs2000

15 days ago

Hi there,
The car has matching numbers. the engine and chassis align with the V5C. The engine did have upgrades and work on it when it was restored by a previous owner (see paperwork in the advert), but it is still the original block.
Regards
Andy

Classics1

16 days ago

Morning Andy, apologies for another question. Does the car roll, are the brakes stuck on? Thank you.

AndyRS2000

Seller

Classics1

16 days ago

Hi There,
The car does roll the brakes are not stuck on.
Thanks

Classics1

19 days ago

Hi Andy, is this a matching numbers car ? Original engine etc. Thank you.

AndyRS2000

Seller

Classics1

19 days ago

Hi, just replied to your earlier message … it has matching collar and cuffs … sorry numbers!
Thanks

tjs

19 days ago

Hi Andy
What’s the issue with the engine not starting
Thanks

AndyRS2000

Seller

tjs

19 days ago

It has just been stored for some years and will just need a bit of fettleing. Carb cleaning, new plugs etc. The crank turns and compression is there… hope that is ok for you.

Classics1

19 days ago

Hi Andy, is this a numbers matching car? Thank you.

AndyRS2000

Seller

Classics1

19 days ago

Hi , Sorry for the late reply, just double checked. It is a numbers matching car.

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Vehicle Location

Bradford

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