1979 Ford Escort RS2000 Custom

Finished in Signal Yellow, ‘FGY 508V’ is a fully restored Ford Escort RS2000 Custom that would be equally at home on the show circuit or sideways in a Welsh forest as an historic rally car.

The previous owner bought it in 2014 and wasted no time in pulling it to pieces. Clearly a talented man, he did the entire restoration himself, only farming out the paintwork.

Not that it needed a huge amount of bodywork doing to it because the only new panel he fitted was the offside door skin; a previous owner had previously replaced the nearside door skin and the offside front wing.

With the new door skin fitted and the rest of the shell prepared for paint, he dispatched it to the professionals and while they were weaving their magic, he turned his attentions to the huge pile of parts he’d removed.

The mechanical side of things saw the two-litre Pinto engine being fully rebuilt before being joined to a four-speed Type E gearbox and the standard rear axle (3.54:1).

Of course, the braking system was fully refurbished, as was the suspension with the latter receiving new paint in addition to bushes and joints.

The interior was re-trimmed with Aldridge Beta cloth, and the car was assembled with all new window seal rubbers plus a new windscreen.

As a top-of-the-line Custom, it also benefits from factory extras including four-spoke alloy wheels and a black panel around the rear lights, with the interior appointments being upgraded with Recaro ‘fishnet’ front seats, a centre console that holds a clock, and a carpeted boot.

A multiple concours winner – in the hands of its restorer it won a trophy at every event it was entered into – it was the subject of a five-page spread in the August 2021 edition of Retro Ford magazine where it was also featured on the cover.
 

The Escort’s previous owner might have been a talented chap, but he understood his limitations and was honest enough to realise that he needed to outsource the paintwork.

Which reaped the dividends you see here; with perfectly aligned panels and sleek, flaw-free Signal Yellow paintwork, it is still every inch the show-winning car it was when it was first finished.

But then the odometer shows it’s only covered 50 miles since 2017, so it’s been spared being peppered by road debris, soaked in road salt, and dinged by careless drivers at Tesco.

As we mentioned, it was reassembled with new window rubbers and door seals, and this diligent approach is also reflected in the bright and undamaged lamp lenses, the flawless badges and decals, and the ripple-free flanks.

The quad headlamps ensure that even non-car folk will recognise that this is no ordinary Escort, while the body-coloured front valance and black rear spoiler mark this out as an RS2000 for the cognoscenti.

The front and rear bumpers are free of scrapes and scuffs, as are the door mirrors; those fifty miles were clearly driven with great care.

Because the Custom’s four-spoke alloy wheels are also in fine fettle. A mixture of a painted and polished metal finish, they’re in great shape with o significant flaws or marks.

They are also fitted with a matching set of Pirelli P3000 tyres, whose diminutive dimensions might seem modest compared to cars of today but the 175/70R13 size is exactly the same as those fitted to other high-performance cars of the era like the VW Golf GTI.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

A pair of genuine Ford front fog lamps, which need fitting, are a nice touch, as is the sticker in the rear window for Dee’s of Croydon, whom we assume was the supplying dealer. We also spotted a reproduction car tax disc from 1979 and a service sticker on the driver’s door jamb.

If we’re being fussy – and at this price point you have every right to expect us to be – a couple of the rims have some historic rubbing marks, albeit trifling.

The rear spoiler has also started to degrade. It too is minor, and its overall condition is still way better than most you’ll see. 
 

The recovered Recaro ‘fishnet’ front seats look like new. Plump and firm, their side bolsters are solid, the Aldridge Beta cloth covers are taut, and the whole ensemble is as good now as it would have been when the Escort rolled out of Ford’s West German factory back in 1979.

The correct material was sourced for the rear seats too, and the installation of the new material was as painstaking as that of the seats in front of them. The previous owner installed them and he has every right to be proud of the job he did because getting them to fit this well is far harder than it sounds.  

The three-spoke RS steering wheel is excellent too, as is the gearknob. The Escort still has crisp white lettering to the switches and controls, plus a neat binnacle full of instruments that includes a 140mph speedometer and a 7,000rpm rev counter.

The rubber mats that protect the carpet underneath are like new still too, and both sit above Dynamat sound-insulation, which should help keep the interior noise down – assuming, that is, you’re going to be driving it.

Another nice touch is the period JVC radio/cassette player, which looks so much nicer than a modern headunit would. A pair of Radiomobile speakers have been fitted into the (very good) door cards, with another pair of pod-style speakers installed on the parcelshelf.

The top of the dashboard is free of cracks, fading and other sun damage, the ‘Custom’ badge sits proudly in the middle of the fascia, and the headlining is clean, taut, and free of damage.

The boot is as well-presented and clean as everywhere else. The boot lining, which was replaced when it was restored, is excellent and lifting it up reveals only solid, well-painted metalwork. A full-size and matching spare alloy wheel (fitted with a new and matching Pirelli P3000 tyre) is fitted on the nearside along with the tool kit.

All of which means there really isn’t anything for the new owner to get their teeth into other than to source and fit the piece of trim that sits underneath the steering column and shroud.
 

You’re going to struggle to find anything to do mechanically, either.

Because, as you can see, the two-litre, four-cylinder engine fires into life and settles into a good idle. The rev counter might be a little tardy, but it joins the party when the engine is revved, something the Pinto flourishes on.

The Escort’s MoT certificate is valid until May 2026, and, given our estimate, of which more anon, you’d be entitled to expect an advisory-free ticket.

Which is what it has, just like every single one that’s been issued since 2013.

We’d say the cosmetic condition of the engine bay is almost perfect – and the missing lid for the screenwash reservoir you think you’ve spotted isn’t; it’s just so clean it’s hard to see.

Feast your eyes also on delights such as the perfectly painted metalwork, the equally impressively finished engine, the undamaged black plastic trim that tidies up the bulkhead, and the many new parts that include a set of  Samco coolant hoses and a recent battery.

The underside is finished in a combination of Signal Yellow and grey paint. There’s evidence of much expenditure on components under here too, with lots of shiny paint and bright fasteners.

The exhaust system still looks virtually new, and, with the exception of one perished rubber exhaust hanger, we can’t spot anything awry.  

In fact, the only other thing the new owner might like to take a look at are the cracks that have developed in some areas of the finish. These are probably only superficial at the moment, but they will let water in if they’re left as they are.
 

First registered in September 1979, it was with its previous owner for seven years, with the first year being accounted for by the restoration.

He then entered it into several concours events, and the chaps from Retro Ford magazine did a five-page spread on it. A copy of the magazine is included with the car, along with another couple of magazines that have also featured it.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the Escort comes with three keys, two originals and one replacement.

The history file also includes a bunch of old MoT certificates, a handwritten guide to routine maintenance settings, what appears to be a complete book pack, and a thick wad of invoices for parts and work carried out. 
 

As much art as it is potent road and rally weapon, this Signal Yellow RS200 makes a splash wherever it goes.

Which means it’s not going to be cheap, but then anyone who is considering bidding on it will understand the difference between the cost of something and the value it represents.

And yes, interest rates are slowly creeping up, but your money could be nothing more than a series of ones and zeros online, or it could buy you this, one of the finest examples of the breed in the country today.

As for the value, frankly, who knows? A car like this is bound to draw an awful lot of interest, so our best guess is that the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £40,000 and £45,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.