1980 Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000

Description

Sympathetically restored over a 10-year period and lightly used since; 2.2 Pinto engine with various upgrades; Type 9 5-speed 'box; a rare Base Model RS2000 in super condition throughout

This fine-looking RS2000 Mk2 Base Model comes with a long letter from the previous owner explaining how he came to own the car, which he had admired from afar for some 35 years.

It was bought new from Tredegar Ford by a retired pharmacist in Brynmawr, Albert Price, who traded in his RS2000 Mk1 for the new model. Only certain Ford dealers were allocated RS models and Tredegar Ford was run by Malcolm Gibbs who was well-known in RS circles. The Mk3 had just come out in 1980 and we are told that this car was the last of six Mk2s that Tredegar had been allocated and is perhaps the last ever RS2000 Mk2 sold in Wales.

The previous owner kept seeing what he and his friends dubbed the “Salmon Pink RS2000” driving through his home town of Gilwern on a Sunday morning, being driven by an elderly gent in driving gloves and a cloth cap, his wife by his side. The car made a huge impression on him and when he turned 17 he was finally able to buy an Escort Mk2 of his own and try his hand at rallying.  

As the years went by, he continued to see the Salmon Pink car from time to time but then it disappeared. Scroll forward to 2005 and he spotted an RS2000 for sale on eBay which looked very familiar and was located in nearby Caerphilly. A quick call to the seller confirmed that this was indeed the exact same Albert Price car that had so obsessed his thoughts as a teenager and a deal was quickly struck.

By this point the car was complete but partially dismantled and in need of restoration. Over the next 10 years it was slowly transformed into the superb example you see today. Although there are no bills to show exactly what was done, the car speaks for itself and the restoration was clearly a labour of love. Being a rally driver, he naturally took the opportunity to upgrade certain aspects of the car while keeping the looks as standard as possible.

Notes on file outline the spec as follows: fully rebuilt 2.2 Pinto engine with Big Valve head, bronze guides, a mild road cam, vernier timing gear and twin Dellorto 45 carbs. The gearbox is a Type 9 5-speed with a quick shift kit. The steering has a quick rack and the suspension has Group One Bilstein shock absorbers. Brakes are standard RS2000 throughout and the exhaust is an Ashley System One.

The car rides on standard Base Model steel wheels which were refurbished and fitted with new Pirelli tyres. The interior has the standard Base Model Recaro seats in chocolate brown cloth. The GCAT RS shell is rust-free and finished in Signal Red. All the glass is original, the registration number still clearly etched into each window.

Our vendor acquired the car soon after the restoration had been completed in 2016 and has covered around 400 trouble-free miles in it since, mainly going to shows. He had it rolling road tuned in 2017 with dyno sheets showing 138.8bhp and 148.1lb/ft. Old MOTs show that the car has only covered 2,200 miles since 1998, the odometer currently showing 88,892 miles.

The original RS2000 Weber carb, manifold and air box are stored in a box in the boot and the car also comes with an original owner’s handbook, operating guide and Ford Accessories brochure.

As good an example as we have ever offered, this rare Base Model RS2000 has been starting promptly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on site.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com