1974 Ford Escort RS2000 (Project)

1970s rear-wheel-drive high-performance motoring at its best. Finished in the classic colour of 'Modena Green', the paintwork is generally in good condition, considering it hasn’t been touched for over ten years. There are some scratches that were picked up in storage over the years and have gone down to the primer in places. The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these hi-resolution images and videos of the car and make up your own mind about the condition of the paint. As mentioned earlier, the body was fully restored in the early 1990s, as shown in the paperwork section, which includes a photo album of the work carried out. The body appears to be in good condition, with just a couple of corrosion blisters, mainly at the bottom of the rear window. The doors, boot, and bonnet align well, with visually even gaps, and no dings or dents were spotted. We've highlighted our observations in more detail through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take the time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer and to assess the condition of the car for yourselves. The black vinyl dashboard, for its age, is in very good condition. There is a tiny 1cm split between the two air vents, which could probably be repaired quite easily. The wooden fascia is also in good condition, with minimal signs of age. As the car was not running, we were unable to see if the instruments worked. The odometer shows a reading of ~21,049 miles at the time of our visit. The ultimate road-going version of the Mk1 Escort era: compact, rear-wheel drive, light, noisy, and wonderfully adjustable on a twisty road. Using a modified and improved 2.0-litre Pinto coupled to what is now a five-speed gearbox driving the rear wheels. Imagine how much fun this car will be once you’ve carried out the necessary work to get it back up and running. All of the windows appear to be in good condition, with just a few minor age-related marks. Some of the window seals do show signs of perishing, but as you probably know, these are readily available from a number of suppliers. The headlights are in good condition, with a bright finish to the reflectors. The rear lights are also in good condition, with no splits or damage to the lenses. Please view the photos and video below to review the condition of the glass and trim for yourself. Fitted with the original four-spoke RS alloys, these have some age-related tarnish on the polished lips, but it wouldn’t take much work to bring them back to their former glory. The tyres are of a considerable age and have started to crack on the tread, so we would recommend replacing them before use. Please take the time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old. The original seats are finished in the factory RS fabric, with the logo mounted in the backrest. There are some signs of age to the seat bases, but they appear to be in good condition with no damage. The rear seat is also in good condition, as are both door panels. Fitted with black carpets, these look to be original and don’t have any excessive wear. Inside the boot is clean and tidy, and there is an RS spare wheel. From looking through the paperwork, we know the RS2000 underwent an extensive restoration in the early 1990s, which included a fully blueprinted engine. The engine rebuild received a lightened, balanced crank, Group 1 lightened conrods; a performance Piper 320 camshaft; upgraded Hepolite 93mm pistons; a high-compression cylinder head; and a single 38 DGAS carburettor, which should mean it will perform very well and, as stated in the letter, produce 130bhp at 6200rpm at the wheels. As we said, the RS2000 does need recommissioning; therefore, we weren’t able to run the car during our visit. The car was fitted with a five-speed gearbox during the restoration. The switchgear does have some fading to the buttons, and, obviously, not being able to run the car, we could not test any of the electrical system. There is a nice collection of photographs showing different stages of the restoration, along with a set of invoices that have stayed with the car, some from early in its life. One significant invoice lists the full spec of the engine, which is said to produce ~130 bhp at the wheels. Although this 1974 RS2000 is a non-runner, we can see from the photos and overall condition that it does need some work, but it is more a recommission and tidy-up than a full restoration. RS2000s are very thin on the ground nowadays, making this recommissioning project an ideal investment for any 'Fast Ford' fan. We’ve done all our usual seller checks, including photo ID and V5 verification, and also carried out a history check on the vehicle. This is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has previously been stolen, recorded as being involved in an accident, or has any outstanding finance. Please note, this does not include a mileage-history check. We've summarised our own view of the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above; however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail. This has been done so you can make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa, and take your time reviewing everything in this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time. We just need to speak to you first and receive valid photo ID before confirming. If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, please first ask the owner in the comments section below before placing your bid(s), as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car, just like at a traditional auction house. Having been rebuilt in the 1990s, the suspension and braking system were replaced. This has, however, been standing for several years, so it would need a full inspection and overhaul. Fitted with the original RS three-spoke steering wheel, this is in good condition with just light patina. The gearknob is the original four-speed item, but the gearbox is now actually a five-speed.