1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Custom Sports Saloon, Registration no. XSF 770W Chassis no. GCHTAB032130
• Collectible top-of-the-range performance model
• Three owners
• Circa 31,713 miles from new
• Original and unmolested
• Recently re-commissioned following long-term storage
It was the Escort that really put Ford on the rallying map, proving capable of winning World Championship events from 1968 through to 1981. Ford customers could choose between GT and 1.6-litre Twin Cam or - later on - RS1600 and Mexico models. Both models had shortcomings: the Mexico being not fast enough for many, while the Cosworth-engined 'homologation special' RS1600, although very quick, was expensive to produce and required careful maintenance. The answer lay in a new model: the RS2000. Powered by the 2.0-litre single-overhead-camshaft 'Pinto' engine, the RS2000 was a huge success, proving quicker than the Mexico and easier to live with than the RS1600.
Ford was keen to build on the RS2000's success when the MkII Escort was launched in 1975. Boasting a radically styled front end completely different from that of the mainstream MkII Escort, the new RS2000 was one of the most dramatic-looking cars in the Ford range, while the RS2000's alloy wheels and all-black exterior trim made it stand out even more from its humbler brethren. The interior too, had been considerably improved over that of the MkI. Production of the MkII Escort ended in the summer of 1980, but before then the RS2000 had been revamped as two different models: a down-specified 'base' version and top-of-the-range Custom, the latter featuring Recaro-type front seats, bronze-tinted glass, and a remotely operated driver's mirror.
This RS2000 Custom was first registered on 14th August 1980 and was purchased by the previous owner on 6th December 1981 (at 9,581 miles) from Cityspeed of Gloucester, a renowned purveyor of performance and competition cars. Finished in light Beige, with its paint code label still present inside the rear panel. The Escort still retains the Cityspeed numberplates and tax disc holder, while Cityspeed's sales invoice is in the history file. 'XSF 770W' also comes with every MoT certificate dating from 1983 to 1993 when it was laid up showing 30,405 miles on the odometer. In 1997, the car was MoT'd again (at 30,514 miles), and in March 1998 was placed in dry storage showing the current mileage of 31,713 (the 1998 tax disc is till in place).
On 1st October 2016, the Escort was purchased by the current owner - a renowned enthusiast and collector of early Ford RS models - and since then has been sympathetically re-commissioned while remaining in dry storage. Representing a rare opportunity to own one of these collectible sporting Fords, this incredibly original and unmolested RS2000 is offered with a V5 registration document and extensive maintenance history testifying to how well it has been looked after, as well as its original Pirelli CN36 tyres.
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• Collectible top-of-the-range performance model
• Three owners
• Circa 31,713 miles from new
• Original and unmolested
• Recently re-commissioned following long-term storage
It was the Escort that really put Ford on the rallying map, proving capable of winning World Championship events from 1968 through to 1981. Ford customers could choose between GT and 1.6-litre Twin Cam or - later on - RS1600 and Mexico models. Both models had shortcomings: the Mexico being not fast enough for many, while the Cosworth-engined 'homologation special' RS1600, although very quick, was expensive to produce and required careful maintenance. The answer lay in a new model: the RS2000. Powered by the 2.0-litre single-overhead-camshaft 'Pinto' engine, the RS2000 was a huge success, proving quicker than the Mexico and easier to live with than the RS1600.
Ford was keen to build on the RS2000's success when the MkII Escort was launched in 1975. Boasting a radically styled front end completely different from that of the mainstream MkII Escort, the new RS2000 was one of the most dramatic-looking cars in the Ford range, while the RS2000's alloy wheels and all-black exterior trim made it stand out even more from its humbler brethren. The interior too, had been considerably improved over that of the MkI. Production of the MkII Escort ended in the summer of 1980, but before then the RS2000 had been revamped as two different models: a down-specified 'base' version and top-of-the-range Custom, the latter featuring Recaro-type front seats, bronze-tinted glass, and a remotely operated driver's mirror.
This RS2000 Custom was first registered on 14th August 1980 and was purchased by the previous owner on 6th December 1981 (at 9,581 miles) from Cityspeed of Gloucester, a renowned purveyor of performance and competition cars. Finished in light Beige, with its paint code label still present inside the rear panel. The Escort still retains the Cityspeed numberplates and tax disc holder, while Cityspeed's sales invoice is in the history file. 'XSF 770W' also comes with every MoT certificate dating from 1983 to 1993 when it was laid up showing 30,405 miles on the odometer. In 1997, the car was MoT'd again (at 30,514 miles), and in March 1998 was placed in dry storage showing the current mileage of 31,713 (the 1998 tax disc is till in place).
On 1st October 2016, the Escort was purchased by the current owner - a renowned enthusiast and collector of early Ford RS models - and since then has been sympathetically re-commissioned while remaining in dry storage. Representing a rare opportunity to own one of these collectible sporting Fords, this incredibly original and unmolested RS2000 is offered with a V5 registration document and extensive maintenance history testifying to how well it has been looked after, as well as its original Pirelli CN36 tyres.
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