Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000

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It was back in 1970 that Ford introduced the Rally Sport models – the RS range. Originally designed as a way of making limited numbers of homologation specials for serious competition use, it soon grew into a major marketing opportunity, and one that Ford grabbed with both hands.

By 1976, when the RS 2000 MkII was launched, the term RS had grown to mean something a bit special. Unlike the MkI Escort which was designed by Ford of Great Britain, the MkII was a more sophisticated car that was jointly developed with Ford of Germany.

Based on a standard MkII two-door saloon shell, the RS2000 used the familiar 2-litre Pinto engine driving the rear wheels. A twin-choke Weber carburettor helped it to 110mph with the 0-60mph dash taking 8.9 seconds. Its biggest distinguishing feature was a ‘droop snoot’ polyurethane nose housing four headlamps which gave it a most aggressive look. Production ceased in July 1980.

A big hit with the ‘boy racer’ brigade, the RS2000 was also a firm favorite with ‘70s TV detectives, continual repeats of The Professionals and The Sweeney on digital TV no doubt adding to their cult status today.

This super-rare RS2000 comes from the earliest of production runs and was registered on August 1st 1976. Externally they were equipped with a black vinyl roof, a broad black stripe along the flanks and unique badging front and rear while on the inside, sports seating was by Scheel with a pair of ‘roll top’ reclining seats.

Well known to the RS Owners' Club, this Mk2 rolls on a set of highly desirable Ronal four spoke alloy wheels and the only deviations from original specification appear to be a K&N air filter, a quick-change five-speed gearbox and the boot lid badging. With those details attended to, this car would be correct in every detail and represents a hard to repeat opportunity to acquire the most sought after of Mk2 RS2000s. As if this weren’t enough, this car is true to the ‘Doyle car’ from the ‘70s hit TV programme ’The Professionals’ complete with vinyl roof on top of Diamond White paintwork.

A huge history file accompanies the car along with 22 old MOT certificates and no fewer than three original handbooks. A new timing belt was fitted in 2014 and it is MOTd until April 2016.

This entry comes from a small collection of performance Fords entered by Pete Tomlinson whose aim was to amass all the cars he dreamed of owning as a young man. The collection is being sold to make way for a building project.