1974 Ford Escort RS2000

We are delighted to be offering for sale a genuine RS2000. This is a far from ordinary example, having been converted many years ago into a rally/race car.

The car is well known on the amateur racing scene, having taken part we are told in classic touring car race meetings amongst others.

We are told the car has enjoyed much success too over the years.

Our seller bought the car only a few months ago, but as he already owns another race car (and many road cars), he has decided that he really needs to slim down his collection.

He tells us that the car is loud, noisy and very firmly sprung, all the things you might realistically expect.

The car is road legal, so could potentially be driven to a race meeting, campaigned, and then driven back home.

We find the thought of that quite exhausting, so perhaps trailering would make more sense.

We are told that everything is in date (seatbelts etc), so if you fancy yourself as a demon behind the wheel, this may well be the car in which to have a go.

Our seller bought the car from a long-term owner, and he raced the car over many years. We believe the car last competed in anger at Snetterton in 2019.

Our seller did ask us to make clear that this lovely RS2000 is no garage queen. It has been used, we hope never abused, so has no doubt had body repairs etc over the years.

The bright blue paint rather suits the simple Escort lines, and you will find imperfections on the bodywork, the signs of an exciting life well lived.

There’s a dent on the nearside front wing and there are various chips and marks elsewhere. We suggest a good look at our extensive pictures, or pop down to our HQ and have a look in person.

The silver RS alloys look in decent nick, (they were new in 2018), the tyres low on tread, but depending on your proposed use for the car, tyres will come down to a personal choice.

Let’s start with the fact that there is no sound deadening, a fact that precluded our seller from driving it on the public highway very often. It is not really the sort of car to pop out for a Sunday afternoon drive in.

The Cobra racing seat is a good order and as we have mentioned before the seat belts are in date if you intend to race the car competitively.

Falling easily to hand, is the delightful slick gearlever, topped with a Momo alloy knob.

Ahead of the driver sits an instrument panel containing oil pressure, battery and water temperature gauges, the speedometer and rev counter being located in the middle of the dash.

Switches for the fan, lights wipers etc are located on an aluminium panel, centrally located.

The boot houses the fuel tank and is in generally fair order.

Of course, the car comes with a built-in roll cage and strengthening to the door openings.

We have included plenty of pictures of the car’s underside, always tricky to get a good look at. The RS2000’s looks a little grubby from all the exciting action it has had, but there are plenty of mechanical parts to see, all looking in decent order.

We would be tempted to apply further underseal in key areas to help preserve this lovely old car.

We can see some signs of corrosion to the wheel arch areas, something that will need addressing in due course.

The under-bonnet area is undoubtedly the car’s show piece. That lovely 2.0-litre engine, twin Weber carbs, all ready to catapult you down the road at warp factor speed. The 2.0 pinto is running a “fast road cam” recently tuned on the rollers at Stanton Motorsport producing 150Hp.

There’s evidence aplenty of money invested here, after all there’s no point having a race car if it cannot perform when required.

We know this RS2000 has been championed on both the rally stage and racetrack. Many aficionados will no doubt have spotted WEY 57M over the years.

The car had a large amount of money spent on it in 2018, as can be seen from the parts invoices. The highlights include:

• New water pump

• New steering wheel and quick release hub

• New gauges

• Roll cage parts

• Alloy competition bell housing

• New battery

• New starter motor

• New alloy wheels

• 2 new Toyo race tyres

• 2 part worn race tyres

• New fuel hoses

This RS2000 represents an intriguing proposition. It may well appeal to someone who merely wants to take it to car shows and perhaps take it out for an occasional spin.

We do however think it more likely that the appeal will be to someone who wishes to try their hand at motorsport.

With the money spent quite recently and the car’s already proven track pedigree, it should be simple enough to register the car to compete.

Our seller thinks the car should prove to be reliable and whilst maybe not a race winner, it should prove to be a good middle order car.

Don’t expect it to be an immaculate show queen. This car has led a busy life in the hands of many owners and if only it could talk, would have lots tales to tell.

We expect it to sell for between £20,000 and £30,000. So maybe it is time to indulge a dormant racing passion and we can think of no finer car in which to do it.

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’