1974 FORD ESCORT (MK1) RS2000

This Ford Escort Mk1 RS2000 is a totally rebuilt example of an iconic ‘Rallye Sport’ model presented in stunning condition, which has been converted to a motorsport specification that would be ideal for top level historic rallies, hill climbs or track days. It is powered by a 2.0-litre inline-four engine, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. The car has covered less than 100 miles since completion, so remains in superb order throughout.

First registered in August 1974, this RS2000 has just 10 previous registered keepers on the log book, covering a 43-year period. It has been registered to the current owner for the last three years.

This bespoke build was managed by RSR Historic Engineering (Vintage Car Radiator Co.), based at the storied Bicester Heritage site. Central to the project was their acquisition of a fresh bare shell built by Gartrac, which was the original fabricator for Ford’s works programmes through the 1970s and 1980s. While the shell was completed in 2004, it was dry stored and kept in as-new condition until being purchased for this build.

The shell was given a soft bead blast, before a ‘dry build’ process took place at RSR to ensure that all of the apertures were correct and that body trims and fixtures sat correctly before paint. It was then sent off to the paint shop where a full seam seal was completed and it was finished in Ford Frozen White.

New rubber seals were sourced and fitted around the windows and door shuts, along with moulded mud flaps, classic style number plates, and the correct chromed bumpers front and rear. There is a Lucas reversing lamp installed, along with PIAA headlamps and spotlights at the front, and 13-inch eight-spoke Compomotive wheels with steel inserts. Today, the paintwork remains in beautiful condition, and in 2017 it was finished with Gtechniq Crystal Serum that comes with a five-year guarantee.

Its engine was commissioned to be the ultimate build that still remained within historic rallying regulations, and was put together by John Read Racing Engines (JRE). The 2.0-litre dry-sump unit runs Weber 48 carburettors, and is coupled to a stainless steel exhaust system with a polished and welded manifold that was built onto the car by Ryan Edwards Exhausts, also based at Bicester Heritage. The dynamometer readout carried out at Northampton Motorsport following the build showed 210bhp and 147lb-ft of torque on the rolling road. The photographs of the remarkably clean and tidy engine bay also speak volumes about the build’s attention to the detail and the quality of components used.

The transmission’s quick-release bell housing contains a hydraulically operated AP Racing twin-paddle clutch coupled via the correct RS2000 four-speed ‘Rocket’ gearbox with a quick-shift selector. The unit was crack-tested and built by Quaife Engineering with Pro Kit internals. A single-piece propshaft drives the rear axle, which was sourced from Rally & Competition Equipment in Stoke-on-Trent, and comprises a fully floating Atlas Axle with 5:1 ratio ZF limited-slip differential.

Its rear suspension is the period-correct five-point system with short link bars, with multi-leaf slipper springs and vertical Bilstein shock absorbers. At the front, there are wedged struts and Bilstein shock absorbers, with roller tops and narrow adjustable springs. AP Racing brakes are fitted at the front and rear combined with Mintex brake pads. An Escort Twin Cam anti-roll bar is also installed.

Inside, the car has been largely stripped out, with the white painted shell visible throughout. It retains original style door cards, but has a 13-point Safety Devices roll cage finished in black, as well as Sparco bucket seats - which are still in date - and an OMP steering wheel. The seats are equipped with in-date TRS safety harnesses. Its dashboard has been modified, with a more contemporary set of Stack instrument gauges ahead of the driver, and with the centre console accommodating toggles for the external lights, ignition and fuel pumps among other things. The cowling ahead of the passenger incorporates toggle switches for various internal lights, as well as the intercom, radio and a camera if connected. There is also a Monit G-200 rally computer.

There are Perspex winding windows, an electrically heated front windscreen, and an electrically operated plumbed-in fire extinguisher system with cylinders that have recently been serviced and which remain in date. The attention to the detail of the plumbing and the wiring systems is superb, professionally routed and shrouded to make it stand out among less well-finished rally cars. The raised passenger foot rest and driver’s floor plate are removable to allow cleaning to all areas. At the rear, the boot space is fitted out to a superb standard, including a twin spare wheel tower, dry cell battery, central fuel tank with twin fuel pumps, dry sump tank, and a quick-lift Bilstein jack.

Since completion, the car has covered around 79 miles, including a suspension test at the Bicester Heritage track and two trailered and short road runs to classic car shows. It was last put through an MOT test on 15 September 2018, when it had covered 36 miles since the rebuild, which unsurprisingly resulted in a first-time pass with no advisories whatsoever. The vendor advises a new MOT certificate will be applied to the car before handover to any new owner. The Compomotive alloy wheels - including the spare - are shod in 225/45 R13 Pirelli Corsa Classic tyres in the D5 medium compound.

Accompanying this car is a Motor Sports Association Vehicle Passport, valid until April 2027, as well as a Motorsport UK Historic Rally Vehicle Identity Form. There is also a full Valuation Report carried out following the rebuild, which enabled an agreed valuation insurance premium to be purchased. Readers of Classic Ford Magazine may also recall that this car was featured favourably in a 2018 article.

This Ford Escort Mk1 RS2000 is a concours-quality bespoke competition build, fitted out with a raft of high-grade components, engineered and assembled by some of the best names in the business. It would make a wonderful entrant to a wide range of historic tarmac rallies, sprints and hill climbs, but could also be used as a thrilling road car. This striking Rallye Sport model was evidently put together with a no-expense-spared approach, and it would make an exciting addition to any collection.

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