1979 Ford Escort RS2000 Custom |

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1979 Ford Escort RS2000 Custom

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Sold Price

£45,580

Mileage~289 (Reset)
TransmissionManual
Engine2.1L
LocationBraintree

SOLD

1979 Ford Escort RS2000 Custom

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Dom Ginn

Professional Consigner

A full ground-up restoration brings this classic RS2000 back to a truly exceptional standard, take a look through the content to believe.

The squarer style second generation MKII Escort first appeared in January 1975, developed jointly between the UK and Ford of Germany, proving hugely popular with British buyers. Running the same mechanical configuration and core structure as the MKI Escort but with a revised underbody and additional performance, the long awaited MKII RS2000 was launched at the 1975 Earls Court show and for the time, was one of the most luxurious of the sporting Escorts and a real success in the performance car market.

This nut and bolt restored example was found in remarkable condition having been in storage for a long period of time, and in the past has been upgraded to a fast road spec. With original floorpans, original inner and outer sills, original inner and outer rear arches and original chassis plate, only a handful of very minor repairs were needed. It features a rebuilt 2.1L Pinto engine covering just ~289 miles since, the Escort has had a wealth of upgrades added which includes; a new machined Cosworth flywheel, Sachs racing clutch, Capri Bilstein suspension struts, diamond cut 7x13 Capri wheels, restored seats, door cards and headlining, it is a stunning car having had some ~£40,000 spent on restoration.

This listing was written from information supplied by Dom after meeting Martin 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

All the chassis components have been re-painted and look almost like new, it really is incredible looking over the detail and finish through the car.

The RS2000 arrived in the current owners hands after a bit of luck having won the car in a raffle "I've always wanted to own one of these cars and love the look and quality of it". The car was the result of the previous owners restoration work and has had a large amount of time invested in it over the past few years, enough for it to have been picked up and featured in Classic Ford magazine last year. Having covered only a few hundred miles since its project, the car has been largely dry stored over its life also.

Martin has managed to have a bit of fun in his short term ownership, but he thinks the car deserves to be used more than he will really get the chance to and so it comes to auction with us. He will do his best to answer questions about the car in the comments section below.

Martin

Vehicle Owner

Martin saved £8,100* when they
sold their Ford with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Bold and bright, the Signal Orange RS2000 is a proper head turner for all the right reasons.

Wheels and Tyres

Restored and diamond cut, the 4-spoke 13" Capri wheels look great. If we were being particularly picky, we noted a small sign of kerb rash on the offside rear wheel but this was a minor observation given the quality of the car.

Yokohama A510 tyres were fitted all round with a spec of 185/60 at the front, and a great level of tread. Rears show the same Yokohama's with a spec of 185/60, date coded 2013, again showing a great level of tread. Take a look over the exterior gallery section for a close up view of the wheels and tyres on the Escort.

Bodywork

A full restoration was completed by the previous owner, but keep in mind that the car was in remarkable condition and so a number of elements like floor pans and sills etc did not need replacing.GM Body Craft (ex-Ford bodywork technicians from the 80s - 90s) added a new roof skin to replace the 70's sunroof. Preparation for the bodywork included removing soft dents and stripping the car back to the metal to ensure the best levels of finish for future ownership. It presents in excellent condition.

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

Paint

The paintwork looks stunning around the car, the "Signal Orange" colour in an excellent condition with barely a mark on the panels on every angle. Paint coverage looks great with no sign of issue or concern that we noted on our visit. The RS2000 decals on the car looked great and showed a lovely level of detail. The car was resprayed in the colour it was found, but was originally cream, the previous owner commenting that it seemed a more appropriate colour for the fast road nature of this car.

Again, we have taken high resolution images and videos of the car for you to assess the condition of the bodywork for yourselves. The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

Windscreen, side windows, mirrors and lenses all appear in great condition. We could see no sign of scratching or chips on the glass. The trim and seals are all in place with Ford and relevant Escort badging and black plastic trim looking great.

Take a look through the exterior gallery and review video, we take you across all the areas of the car as if you were standing there for yourself. This way, you can see in greater detail what a lovely looking car the RS2000 really is.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

With a show stopping interior that looks almost as new, this is like taking a step back in time to a more straight forward era of motoring.

Seats and Carpets

What a place to be, the black interior looks fantastic and well suited to the set-up of the car. The seats show without rips, tears or real signs of wear or use having been fully restored. Aldridge foam and covers have been added, the seat base elastic upgraded and Recaro seat frames installed. The rear seat has been fully restored also using Aldridge covers.

Carpet sections show very well and without concern at all which reflects in the condition of the new headlining also. Aldridge front and rear door card leathers and carpet base sections show really nicely and makes the interior a very inviting place to be.

Dashboard

The upgraded leather dashboard shows the same level of standard as the rest of the interior and is in excellent condition. The centre console has been replaced for a new replica version. Most of the chrome has been deleted in the interior leaving a more performance feel to it.

This car being a Custom has the correct placement of the clock and pocket in the dash, the shell being correct to factory. Our interior gallery section takes you over some closer images of the Ford dashboard, head over and see the car's interior in finer detail.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel shows in a good condition without major wear. Looking in closer detail, the centre Ford badge of the 3 spoke wheel looked original and was a little faded. The gearstick showed without concern.

We've captured high-resolution photos for you to review and appreciate the condition of the interior in our gallery section.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Set-up as a fast road car, this RS2000 has a number of upgrades over what it would have come with from factory, but still feels an RS.

Engine and Gearbox

Having travelled just ~289 miles since its restoration, there is very little to fault with this new engine, starting, stopping, idling and revving without concern, as to be expected. The mechanical setup here is fully specced out to include; a 2.1L Pinto engine, Cosworth flywheel, Sachs racing clutch, Cosworth head gasket, Hiflow intake and Ashley 421 performance exhaust amongst other great upgrades.

Gear changes responded really well and had no issues when out in the car. A race catered gearbox showed solid, fast changes with a level of performance that presented no problems. Head over to the "Mechanical Review" video for an overview of the engine, here you can see the car start up from cold which turns over and idles without issue.

Suspension and Brakes

We noted no knocks or bangs or issue from the suspension when we were on then road in the car. The ride is a little firm given that it is set-up as a fast-road car with the suspension upgrades, but gave us no concerns in its performance or handling.

A full re-spec on the car has been given to the car with Capri Bilstein front struts, front compression strut kit, Leda adjustable rear dampers and a rear Panhard rod kit. Please view the mechanical review video and photographs to see close-up and underside images from around the Ford.

The Drive

A really sporty ride which is what you'd expect from a Ford RS. Built with the track and fast roads in mind, the RS2000 has no issues keeping up with newer cars when out and about, although is equally at home on standard roads at lower speeds. The build quality on show here after the restoration project is really something.

Electrics and Other

The setup is straightforward with no fuss in the RS2000, with a working clock on the dash area, heater function, hazard and light functions.

The electrics of the car are fully functional with no issues reported by Martin, it still has a functioning 90's immobiliser and showed no warning lights on the dash when we started up or ventured out in the Ford.

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History and Paperwork

A car as good as this is deserved of all the attention it gets, featured in Classic Ford September 2022, this fast-road RS2000 Custom had ~£40,000 spent on restoration.

The Ford Escort is a fine example of a very well kitted and restored RS. Race inspired, the car is geared towards a track focused setup with its nut and bolt rebuild. The car's spec has been upgraded in the past and includes; a 2.1 Pinto engine, Cosworth 9 Bolt crank, Cosworth flywheel (machined), Sachs racing clutch, Oversize pistons, Stage 3 head Kent cam, Quaife vernier pulley, YB cosworth cometic headgasket, Hiflow intake manifold, Webber 48's, Accuspark ignition, Red top facet pump, Filter king pressure regulator, 48mm alloy radiator and Ashley 421 performance exhaust system.

Transmission upgrades include; Alloy bellhousing RS2000 4sp box (new seals and synco's) and an Atlas rear axle and LSD. Suspension setup has also dramatically been improved with; Capri Bilstein front struts, Large hole top mounts, Leda adjustable rear dampers (rare), Rear anti tramp, Rear Panhard rod kit, Front compression strut kit and Quick rack install.

Also part of the restoration project was an addition to the stopping power, where the brakes have been upgraded with adjustable brake bias pedal box with twin master cylinders, braided fuel lines, a rear disc conversion and twin piston front brake conversion with cross drilled discs. The wheels have also been refined with restored (diamond cut) Capri 7x13 genuine wheels with Yokohama tyres.

To finish the car project off, the previous owner specced out the interior with; fully restored seats, Aldridge foam and covers, upgraded seat base elastics, Recaro seat frames, fully restored rear seat using Aldridge covers, Aldridge rear arch housing covers, Aldridge door cards front and rear, a new replica centre console, new head lining and sun visors finished in black, a new leather dash pad and new carpets and mat sets.

Martin will be more than happy to answer any questions you have about the car in the comments below.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on 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 a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house. Please note, the car may be in daily use, so the mileage may increase from that shown here - you can request an update check with us after you register your interest.

Key Details

ModelEscort RS2000 Custom
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date01.12.1978
CC1,993cc
Mileage~289 (Reset)
ColourSignal Orange
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimVinyl/Cloth
Chassis #GCATWU042060
Engine #WU04206
RestoredYes
Engine RebuildYes
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes
Former Keepers7
Tyre TreadGreat
Tyre BrandYokohama
Tyre Age2013
Security SysFord Immobiliser
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~4 months
Key FeatureFast-road set-up and full restoration costing ~£40,000
Auction ID1247

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Ask Questions

Seller : Martin Sale Date 12.04.2023

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

13 Comments

Kulraj Salh

Admin

1 year ago

Reserve Met – Good luck if you’re involved in the bidding. Best, Kulraj – Trade Classics

FDMCARS

1 year ago

Is the car on reserve if so what price?

Martin

Seller

FDMCARS

1 year ago

Yes the car is on reserve…….you’ll have to bid to find out 🙂

Towerhill

1 year ago

Hi Does the car come with the Avo Tag

Martin

Seller

Towerhill

1 year ago

Good morning, you will have to excuse my ignorance but what is an Avo Tag?

Barnfather

1 year ago

Does it have matching numbers and
What none standard modifications have you done.?

Martin

Seller

Barnfather

1 year ago

To the best of my knowledge it is all matching numbers. Full details of the mods made to the car can be found in the “history & paperwork” section of the write up on this website.

Barnfather

1 year ago

Are you going to answer?

Martin

Seller

Barnfather

1 year ago

I replied to your question yesterday. https://www.tradeclassics.com/auctions/ford/1979-ford-escort-rs2000-custom-2/#comment-14101

I said to the best of my knowledge it is all matching numbers and that full details of the mods can be found in the history & paperwork section of the auction listing.

Wrangler

1 year ago

Does the car have OE bronze tinted glass as it looks clear?
Did you change the interior colour? Just wondering as it should be chocolate or did it have beige recaro trim when the car was Beige so changed to Black?

Martin

Seller

Wrangler

1 year ago

I’ve just looked at the glass in my garage. Against my LED lighting there does seem to be a slight bronze tint to the side glass, however I wouldn’t want to mislead you by giving a definite yes. If it helps the following info comes from the glass…. SEKURIT – 1GB, D 446, DOT 27 M23 AS2, DGM 32171 VT, TP GS 78 240 002 TF, BS857.

With regard to the interior it was replaced when the car was worked on last year by the previous owner. The car hasn’t been beige for 30 years but I don’t know if it was another colour prior to this.

Harley

1 year ago

Does the car need immediate attention in any area. What is the plastic cover over the choke pull hole, does it serve any purpose?

Martin

Seller

Harley

1 year ago

As the car has no choke, I believe it is a blanking plate. Car is ready to jump in and drive, no immediate attention required. Restoration was completed in the last quarter of 2022, as shown in Classic Ford mag.

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Vehicle Location

Braintree

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