1978 Ford Escort RS 2000 X Pack (Mk2)

Lotus power might have made the Ford Lotus Cortina a fearsome touring car star, but its shell wasn’t up to the prodigious punishment of international rallying. The Escort, on the other hand, was designed from the off to be much stronger; with half an eye on competition set into its DNA.

That decision soon paid off with the Escort proving to be a winner right out of the blocks – taking the top laurels at the 1968 Circuit of Ireland Rally. There were about as many wins as there were subsequent go-faster Escorts, with Mk2s still winning rallies right up until the early 1980s.

Though the fact that a simple little rear-wheel drive Escort could still prove competitive – especially on tarmac – alongside the technically mighty Ur quattro, shows just how right Ford’s formula had always been.

This Mk2 RS2000 has been the subject of a nut and bolt professional restoration that cost the current owner an eye-watering £70,000.

He says:

‘On a warm spring weekend morning back in 1979, I was doing my homework as a nine year old. An unusual sound attracted me to my window – outside there she was a brand new RS2000 in yellow, that my neighbour’s dad had just bought.

‘I was instantly in love with the retro shape and the sound of it, although I didn’t like the colour. I went to have a peep inside and was again mesmerized by the cool Recaro sports seats. I knew instantly that not only did I have to have one, but I yearned for one, and this carried on all throughout my teens and adolescence.

‘I took a pop and milk round out at 13 just to get some money to buy a few toy versions of it. But all through my life, for one reason or another, I couldn’t afford an RS2000, especially as values have risen so much – and indeed keep on rising. That was until six or seven years ago, when I could finally buy one.

‘It wasn’t in my preferred colour – yellow – but the car, although it needed some work to take it to my required standards, was solid. My friend owned Blackwood Automotive, who at the time were doing huge amounts of car repair work for large insurance companies. Due to their standard of work I decided to give them the important job of restoring the Escort to my high standard of expectation. I could finally get an RS2000 exactly how I wanted one.

‘Today, going full circle, I now have a five year old son and we all know the cost of keeping them safe and fed. And with the rise in the cost of living, I’ve heartbreakingly decided to move on, as being a family man, they come first.’

Well, it’s immaculate, and without question finished to a much higher standard than Ford would have managed back in the late 1970s. The paint gleams, the fit and finish of the panels is superb and the wide Minilite style wheels are shod with excellent Toyo tyres.

The wheels (although the refurbished originals come with the car) and the LED lights in the front spoiler are the only deviations from standard X-Pack spec that we spotted.

The interior is standard too, and finding Recaro fishnet seats in this condition is a tricky and expensive game. They’re period perfect though, and in fine condition, as is every aspect of the cabin.

The only thing that threw us at first is the gearknob, which indicates a five speed gearbox is fitted – it is – a Sierra Type 9 unit. This is a major plus point that will make high speed cruising much less of a drag.

The little black box in front of the gearstick with Engine Guard written on it is a clever little device that delivers an audible warning if the engine starts overheating, allowing you to stop the car before damage occurs.

Inside the boot a Facet electric fuel pump sits surrounded by a sea of shiny white paint. The four spoke alloy spare wheel is almost a space saver, when compared with the huge wheels on the car.

We also note that the speedo isn't working and therefore presume the mileage indicator is also in-active.

Under the bonnet the 2.1-litre over-bored and tuned Pinto engine sits, with two hungry twin-choke sidedraught Webers jutting proudly from it on one side, and a beautifully made equal-length tubular manifold on the other.

There’s an alloy radiator, silicone coolant hoses, a Filter King fuel regulator with built in pressure gauge, and a generally excellent standard of build, finish and condition.

The only detractions we could see – and we had to look hard – were a tiny section of paint missing from the mounting flange of the cam cover, and a jet cover missing from the rear Weber carb. These are very minor issues, both easily sorted at minimal expense.

The car’s underside isn’t quite as beautiful as the outer bodywork, but it’s not far off, with just some thin surface corrosion on some of the steel suspension parts. The shell itself is rock solid.

This RS2000 has had a full nut and bolt restoration at a cost to the current owner of around £70,000, on top of what he paid for the car. There is a huge pile of bills with the car that corroborate this. The owner says:

‘The restoration has been done to the highest of standards. Ninety nine percent of this RS2000 is standard, and I have upgraded a few minor details to my personal specification, which I think have improved the car.

‘We took the already brilliant 2.1-litre Pinto engine, crated it up and sent it to Rawsport Motorsport and had the following done:

205 block with oversize pistons.

• Mahle pistons.
• Newman performance camshaft.
• Vernier cam pulley.
• Competition bearings.
• All acid dipped and painted.
• Competition head gasket.
• ARP fixings.
• All new gaskets and seals.
• Standard valves.
• Fully balanced.
• Lightened flywheel.
• Bigger sidedraught Weber carbs.
• Ford Sierra Type 9 five-speed reconditioned gearbox.
• Complete rear axle overhaul including new brakes, wheel bearings, brake cylinders etc.
• Stainless steel exhaust.
• Modern stereo system.

‘I have a full set of genuine, fully refurbished, like new X-PACK wheels, which are hard to source. They’re included in the sale, but I personally prefer the black wheels pictured on the car. [The originals are also in one of the pictures, sat next to the car.]

‘The sound of this car – especially after 60 mph – is like thunder, and unlike anything you have heard from a car.

‘I don’t believe there is an RS2000 in the country as far as I am aware like this, with this combination of the Rawsport engine, the X-Pack, the colour and the low mileage.

‘I can personally guarantee anybody that loves these cars and is in a position to buy one, that if they drive it above 60mph they will savour the incredible and exhilarating sound – it will make you feel like a ’70s child again!

‘Or you can drive it like a middle aged guy, at a leisurely speed without any dramas – the RS2000 is one of very few cars that can be loved by everybody and every age.’

Also with the car is a very recent bill for a cambelt change and full service, dated April this year.

Even Bodie and Doyle didn’t get an X-Pack on their RS2000. This is the top of the Mk2 RS Escort tree, and you’ll struggle to find a better example.

Our estimate for this car Is £45,000 - £55,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.