1978 Ford Escort RS2000

First registered on the 9th of October 1978, this wonderful Ford RS 2000 is finished in Diamond White on the outside and beautifully trimmed inside with the correct black Beta cloth.

An older restoration, it nonetheless presents very well indeed; described by our assessor, not a man known for hyperbole, as: “Historically restored to an excellent standard. Very clean and solid throughout – and just as clean and solid under the bonnet and the underside of the car.”

That’s quite the appraisal, isn’t it?

Finished in Diamond White, this iconic colour scheme allows the simplicity of the MKII Escort’s shape to shine – and unlike so many modern cars with sporting pretensions, the changes made to the RS2000 were relatively subtle.

Subtle they may be but they are important, which is why it’s good to see it still has its original boot spoiler, and accurate badging and pinstripes.

It is also fitted with the correct RS four-spoke alloy wheels. Tiny by modern standards, they are still in a very good condition with only the odd minor blemish (#23 and #151) marring the finish. They’re also fitted with a matching set of new 175/60R13 Yokohama A539 tyres, yet more proof that this is a car for whom the word ‘budget’ is an unknown.

The slant-fronted, twin headlamp design looks terrific too, and the body-coloured front spoiler is wonderfully discreet. The front and rear bumpers are elegantly simple, and authenticity aside, the coachwork’s overall condition is very, very good.

With straight panels, ripple-free flanks, and good swagelines acting in concert as a flawless canvas for the shiny white paintwork, this is an Escort that would be as much at home at a classic car show as it would howling through a Welsh forest stage.

Flaws, therefore, are few. There’s a small mark on the nearside of the front bumper (#67) and some delamination of the windscreen (e.g. #74, #75, and #80). That’s it.

The interior has been restored with the same painstaking attitude towards originality as the coachwork.

Trimmed with the correct Beta cloth and having the original roll-top seats, it is showing few signs of wear.

And, what seats they are! As supportive and comfortable as you could hope for in a car with the Escort’s propensity for sideways travel, they’re as much of a treat for your backside as they are for your eyes.

There’s a three-spoke steering wheel too, plus the classic five-dial instrument panel we all remember peeking at when we were kids, grubby little hands cupped around our face as we peered into the cabin of a car we didn’t think we’d ever be able to afford to own.

The black headlining is also excellent, as are the door cards and carpets. It’s so good, in fact, that it looks like it was completed only a few weeks ago.

Of course, being the sporting icon it is there’s no stereo or speakers – but then who needs instrumental music when you’ve got the engine to sing to you?

The boot is just as well trimmed as everywhere else, and lifting the carpets shows only solid metal supporting a matching alloy wheel.

Aside from the need to get that spare alloy wheel refurbished, we can’t see anyone finding anything to complain about in here other than the non-operational rev counter, some minor damage to the rear parcel shelf (#132) and offside C-pillar trim (#167), slightly rusty front seat subframes (#162 and #173), and missing a rubber brake pedal cover (#83).

Yes, the engine bay is every bit as good as the rest of the car but then that hasn’t come as a surprise, has it?

In fact, it’s almost certainly in a better condition than anything that left the Ford factory in period AND it’s got the correct air box.

Detailed to a very high standard as you can see, the accompanying video shows the Pinto engine starting, idling, and revving as it should, all the while making a glorious noise at both ends.

We’re also told its restoration included many new parts including front coilover suspension and rear disc brakes, additions that bring the RS2000 into the 21st century and make it ever so slightly easier to drive in modern traffic.

As is so often the case with older restorations, the paperwork in the history file is limited. However, there are some older invoices and bills, plus a few expired tax discs and MoT certificates, and a Haynes workshop manual.

The Escort doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

That said, it only expired in April of this year and it, like every one of its previous MoT passes, was free of advisory points, so we can’t imagine getting a new ticket would be too onerous.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

With a half-century’s presence, Ford’s RS brand continues to go from strength to strength and buying this one would be a great way to explore the blue oval’s motorsport heritage.

And, while there are plenty of examples out there that have been heavily modified for road and rally use - and even, heaven forbid, been given an engine transplant - this one remains reassuringly standard with only a couple of (largely hidden) modifications to help you better enjoy that rally-honed chassis.

Because, standard cars are where the long-term value is and given how well sporting Fords performed over the past few years, our guide price of between £30,000 and £40,000 seems very reasonable for what might just be the nicest RS2000 on offer in the United Kingdom today.

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’.