1974 Ford Escort RS2000 |

Sold

1974 Ford Escort RS2000

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£48,000

Mileage4 - Reset
TransmissionManual
Engine2.0L
LocationDroitwich, Worcestershire

SOLD

1974 Ford Escort RS2000

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Glyn Parry

Professional Consigner

This is the one you've been waiting for - a meticulously ground-up restored AVO RS2000 to an exceptional standard.

In the Ford hall of fame, the original MK1 RS2000 is one of the brands leading highlights. The car's reputation goes beyond the realms of just nostalgia and retro-soaked memories but best known as a formidable competition car. The AVO cars, built in South Ockendon were more than Escorts with side stripes. They were hand-built with strengthened bodyshells and highly tuned engines. While the main purpose of these cars was to aid Fords global marketing reach by successfully competing and winning rally competitions, the very same cars were also available for sale to the general public.

Several distinctive models were produced over the RS models original run, with the RS2000 being the pinnacle of the MK1 range. Fitted with the 2-litre Pinto engine mated to a German-built transmission, the RS2000 was always recognised as a specialist machine that never lost its lustre. On the back of the formidable reputation that these cars hold, the values of the RS Escort models have maintained some serious momentum in recent years.

This 1974 car has matching numbers to prove its heritage. It was bought as a solid road-going car by Ross, the owner, and he has restored what was already a very good car into something that reaches ultimate levels in Ford Escort circles. Make not mistake, this is the car to have and when you look at prices of '90s RS Cosworths, then it does also represent value for money and maybe a shrewd investment for the future. Whatever your reason for pining for this car, and we know you will be pining, you can be sure of one thing, "buy mint and you'll never be skint".

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Glyn after meeting Ross the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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.

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

My Dad owned one back in the day and even I had one too, so the MK1 Escort has always been in my blood - I'm a Ford man though and through and proud to have owned this very special car.

Ross bought the car six years ago with the intention of restoring it to the highest standards possible. The nostalgic experiences of his father's car, as well as his own 1300 Escort, fuelled his desire to buy what is arguably the most sought after MK1 Escort.

Due to the current situation Ross couldn't show the car last year as planned. He did have it booked in at both the AVO and NEC shows but they were cancelled. However, the car was used at an open day at a local Ford dealer and was also featured in the AVO magazine. So this will be a fresh car to the Ford show circuit that the new owner can take advantage of.

Ross gets his kicks from rebuilds and hunting for parts, so the car is being placed for sale as he's keen to invest his time and money into other just as special projects.

Ross

Vehicle Owner

Ross saved £8,640* when they
sold their Ford with us.

SELLING MADE EASY

We'll take the photos & create the listing.
We'll market it to our 62K buyers & online.
You'll keep your car until it's paid for.

PEACE OF MIND FOR BUYERS

They can fully review our cars online.
They can buy on our trusted platform.
They're able to buy without leaving home.

LEARN MORE

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

The bodywork is nothing short of perfection - it has been finished to an incredibly high standard.

Wheels and Tyres

The genuine Ford RS 4-spoke alloy wheels are shod with Bridgestone A330 tyres. The ensemble is in excellent condition, with no damage, or indeed evidence of any road use. The tyres are over 15 years old, but as the car isn't used for driving that becomes a moot point.

Bodywork

The car has been subject to a high-quality bare-metal restoration, so its safe to say that the metalwork is exceptional. There are no flaws to the structure or body panels, offering perfect alignment with even panel gaps and no evidence of surface rust to be seen.

Paint

The paint is flawless. With no actual signs of wear - the finish is literally like new and maybe better than what came out of the factory. A deep-dive inspection suggests that there are no scratches, chips or flaws that could be observed - please study all the media to see for yourselves. The quality of the paint is deep and even throughout with an incredibly pleasing lustre. This high level of finishing is continued not only inside the engine bay and boot but also underneath the car.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in excellent condition, as you'd expect. If we're being extra picky then there's a couple of slight blemishes on the rear screen.

All of the brightwork is in tip-top condition.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Originality runs deeps throughout the car - the interior is just as exceptional as the outside.

Seats and Carpets

The seats are in very good condition, with no signs of wear as they have been refurbished using original Ford beta cloth. The carpets are new and can't really be faulted.

The headlining and door cards can only be described as perfect. The car also comes with a pair of wood lacquered door cappings but this comes with a warning to the new owner, who will need to drill holes into the flawless paint and metal of the tops of the door to fit them.

Dashboard

The dashboard follows the same theme as the interior and is in excellent condition, with the wood finishing looking like new due to a replacement.

There are a couple of minor jobs that could give an excuse for the new owner to tinker with the car prior to the show season. The rev counter works intermittently, and there are a handful of items like a loose driver's lower shelf that would need attention.

The clock has been disconnected to reduce battery drain.

The original MW / LW stereo is also present.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel is in very good condition with no wear at all, the gear stick shows some signs of age, but certainly not enough to suggest a replacement.

VIEW ALL

'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The engine is literally as clean as the proverbial dinner plate - imagine opening that bonnet up at your favourite show, you'll be grinning from ear to ear.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine has been completely overhauled so the first impression of the engine bay is very positive. The owner, as a perfectionist, pointed out the light coating of surface rust on the manifold but that really was the extent of visible issues. The car, as it hasn't really been used in at least 6 months, struggled with the cold start - possibly due to a timing issue. Once running and warmed up the engine sounded good, with no issues to report. The ignition has been upgraded with an electronic system for the sake of reliability.

Update 07/03 - Ross has now had the car professionally tuned by Alan at Carbcare. Here are a couple of videos Ross supplied for you to see him at work and the end result - very impressive. Also we've added his invoice to the paperwork sections.
Video 1- https://youtu.be/j9Yu80US7YU
Video 2- https://youtu.be/_U1fco7xm5g
Video 3 - https://youtu.be/wZ0n7l1r9xI

Suspension and Brakes

As the car was subject to a meticulous restoration, the suspension and brake components have been renewed and as you might expect are in excellent condition. Just take a look at all the images and videos to see how good this car really is.

The Drive

The car is, with no argument, a show queen. The ultra-low mileage means that the car is not driven much, apart from the loading on to and off a trailer. The Escort RS2000 is a rally-bred car and many were used in active competition, but this one has been spared of the dirt tracks and dust. The RS2000 is a refined car to drive, offering a little plushness combined with that exhilarating performance.

Electrics and Other

With a couple of items on the dashboard notwithstanding, the electrics of the car are fully functional with no issues reported by Ross.

Please see pictures of the period correct jack and sack.

VIEW ALL

History and Paperwork

This Escort has seen around 60K spent on it, which puts it in a league as one the best and means you don't have to spend at all.

Originally sold as a genuine AVO car in Cheshire, the car has been owned by several notable Ford enthusiasts over the years. The car was bought by Ross in 2015, and subject to a total ground-up restoration. This involved overhaul and renewing the bodywork, as well as tracking down NOS parts from all over the world including Australia and Belgium. The engine was completely rebuilt and as result, Ross can lay the claim that the engine is new and therefore installed a new speedometer to reflect the cars 'second life'.

The car was in good solid shape when Ross bought it and had been looked after by its previous owners with evidence of low usage, but his intention was to go beyond the normal realms of the usual spruce-up. Using the skills of local but well experienced classic car restorers, the whole process was fully documented, with photographs and a stack of paperwork. While the car was being restored, Ross spent time contacting the DLVA to help him track down all of the car's ownership history, which gave him a rough indication of where the car spent its life and for how long.

With Ross' attention to detail and drive to get the car perfect, he estimates that around 22K was spent on the bodywork alone, with a total in excess of 60K accounted for the whole project. You will also see agreed valuation of £65k by Classicline via their thorough valuation process that required Ross to take images of the car and send to their valuation team.

We've actioned checks on: Seller ID, V5, HPi clear and visited the car at the owner's address.

Update 04/03 - Ross has been in touch and he's going to get the engine tuned on Monday, i.e. timing and carbs. He'll send us a video to publish of the car running sweetly post that work and we'll pop a link in the comments.