1979 Ford Escort RS2000

A true icon of the fast Ford era, the RS2000 blends timeless styling, engaging performance, and enduring collector appeal. The rare 'Calypso Green' finish is undoubtably a stand out colour, has good coverage and shows real presence on the road. There were a few signs of marks to the paint finish and some wear noted on the drivers side door and passenger side front wheel arch. There were several areas where the paint had started to crack or blister, most notably the drivers door has an area of micro-blistering and the passenger door has some rust, particularly around the corner edges. Overall though, these areas weren't of significant concern on a nice usable classic, but may benefit from a respray just to bring the standards up higher; if the new owner desires. The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there yourself. Please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car to form your own opinion about the condition of the paint. The Ford's bodywork is in good condition after the restoration works completed in 1996. Looking around the car, there was a ding noted on the passenger side front wheel arch, and a small ding on the driver side rear quarter. As part of the original restoration, the front panel, scuttle panel, rear lower valence and boot-wells were all replaced, while necessary chassis repairs etc. were carried out.?During the 2013 refresh, new inner wing assemblies, heater bowl, outer sills and rear wheel arches were fitted. The front wings were changed too - these were standard wings and the fabricator modified them to RS2000 specification. Shut lines are visually equal and matching, as is the bonnet, and both doors. The bonnet and boot sections both opened and closed well. 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 dashboard is covered in a black vinyl finish and presents five dials in front of the driver, The odometer displayed ~28,819 miles at the time of our visit. The gauges, switches, and controls are well presented, just some signs of age. All faces look clean, clear and they show no fogging or scratching and without any warning lights. Wayne, the current owner, let us know that he suspected the speedometer was slightly out of sync. Our interior gallery section takes you through some closer images of the Ford's dashboard - head over and see the car's cabin in finer detail. The Escort RS2000 delivers a driving experience that perfectly captures the spirit of classic Ford performance. Light, responsive, and wonderfully engaging, it rewards the driver with direct steering, sharp handling, and a level of road feel that modern cars often struggle to replicate. Out on the road, the Escort feels eager and full of character. Whether enjoying a spirited drive on a winding B-road or simply cruising through the countryside, it offers a raw and involving experience that reminds you why these cars have become such icons among enthusiasts. What makes the RS2000 particularly appealing is its simplicity. There are no electronic aids or driving modes to distract from the experience - just a willing engine, balanced chassis, and a direct connection between car and driver. All of the glass sections around the Ford looked great. Windscreen, windows, mirrors, lights and lenses, all appeared in a good condition with no cracks, chips or significant scratching that we observed on our visit, other than the folding mechanism on the driver’s door mirror, which has failed and the mirror is currently being held in the normal position with some tape. The body trim and badges all showed well. The headlining showed with good levels of presentation and interior trim sections displayed well, just some minor wear to the rear sections here. We've taken you around the car in greater detail in our exterior review video, please take the time to look over the video and see how the glass and trim look from different perspectives. The 13" 4-spoke RS wheels, finished in silver and black, look great on this example - well presented. The wheels are fitted with Firestone tyres, with a spec of 175/70 to the front and rear. Please take 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 black / grey fabric. There are signs of age to the seat bases, backs, and some holes to the finish. Rear seats fair better, with less notes of wear. Overall, the seats appear to be in reasonable condition considering the Ford's ~46 years on the road, although a re-trim would be of benefit. The black carpets in the cabin show well, without any excessive wear. Looking over the boot section, this area displayed well and is tidy with a spare wheel. We've captured high-resolution photos and a full interior video tour through the car. This covers off the angles inside the car for you to review and appreciate the condition of what's on offer here in our interior review section. As mentioned, the RS2000 underwent a restoration in 1996, which included an upgraded 2.1L engine from a 1980's Sierra. The engine rebuild also received a clutch update and has been mated to a Sierra Type-9 5-speed gearbox. The original engine's location is not known and therefore is not included. On the day of our visit, we started the car without issue, and it performed well on the road - the engine pulled nicely, idled smoothly, and ran without fault. Take a look at the mechanical video to see the car starting from cold, driving around, and for a closer look underneath the Escort RS2000 and its smart engine bay. The Ford features a cassette player with multi-CD changer positioned in the central dash area. The multi-CD player unit is located in the glovebox with rear parcel shelf speakers. The car is finished with 2 sets of keys and a spare wheel located in the boot - although this will require a new tyre. Wayne, the current owner, let us know that he suspected the speedometer was slightly out of calibration, but confirmed everything else is in working order other than the rear window de-mister whose connection pad has detached from one side of the window, and the wipers which seem a little slow and stop slightly short of the “park” position. The Ford Escort RS2000 has been the subject of a comprehensive restoration, completed in 1996 as a true labour of love. While not restored to original factory specification, the car was rebuilt with an emphasis on preserving its character and driving enjoyment. During its restorations, extensive bodywork was undertaken, including replacement of the front panel, scuttle panel, rear valence, boot-wells, inner wing assemblies, heater bowl, outer sills and repairs to sections of the chassis. New rear wheel arches were also fitted, while non-RS2000 front wings were modified to RS2000 specification. Mechanically, the car has been upgraded with a 2.1-litre Ford engine and 5-speed gearbox sourced from a 1980s Sierra, providing enhanced performance and driveability over the original units. The suspension has also been improved with the addition of front coil overs and lowered rear springs, further sharpening the driving experience. Today, the car presents as a well-sorted and enthusiast-built example, reflecting decades of care and enjoyment. While it no longer retains its original wheels and is not a concours-correct restoration, it stands as a distinctive and characterful RS2000 that has been thoughtfully restored and enjoyed with a low reserve set. We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check. We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on 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 a valid photo ID before confirming. If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house. We noted no knocks, bangs or other issues from the suspension when we were driving, and it gave us no concerns in its performance or handling. The front of the RS2000 has been upgraded with coil-over suspension. The front of the Escort is fitted with drilled discs to the front and drum brakes to the rear. The brakes felt to have no pull or vibrations that stood out to us when on the journey, and brought the car to a stop without a problem. We did note a very slight whining noise, from what we suspect to be the rear differential, when out on the road, although this didn't appear to pose any issues but may require investigation at some stage. Overall the car performed as to be expected with no other concerns out on the road. Please take a look over the mechanical videos and photographs to see close-up images from under the car. A black 3-spoke black Ford steering wheel is fitted to the RS2000, nothing of significant concern was observed here, just a few signs of patina. The black gear stick showed in respectable condition, just some signs of wear to the finish. The handbrake presented in good condition with no significant issues. We've captured high-resolution photos for you to review and appreciate the condition of the interior in our gallery section.