Registration - SEH 949L

Chassis No. - BBATMD25822

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 04,684

If you’re hankering after an RS2000 but your budget won’t quite stretch to it, this could be the car for you. This Mk1 Escort has had just two previous keepers from new, with the second owning it for a remarkable 40 years. It has clearly provided a great deal of fun – not least when it was transformed from an 1100cc model into a RS2000 replica, in which guise it is now offered. ‘SEH 949L’ has been equipped with specification-appropriate 2-litre Pinto engine, flared steel front wings, period Cobra front seats, three-spoke RS steering wheel, original-specification RS wheels with brand new tyres, four-speed manual gearbox, six-dial dash, new brake callipers and 9” rear drum brakes. The RS2000 styling continues with the appropriate badges, plus Escort Mk1 RS2000 stripe kit for the Olympic blue paintwork. The current owner describes the engine, transmission, electrics, bodywork and paintwork as ‘good’ and the interior as ‘average’. We think that spending some time tidying up the interior would be time well spent – and, who knows, you could the proud owner for the next four decades!

Ford’s phenomenally successful Escort made its debut at the 1968 Brussels Motorshow. It was a direct replacement for the long running Anglia range and, while much of the mechanicals were carried over, the styling was far more contemporary. Power came from a choice of 1100 or 1300cc versions of the Crossflow ‘Kent’ engine, which drove through a slick four-speed manual gearbox or three-speed automatic unit and on to the rear wheels. Suspension was by MacPherson struts at the front and live axle mounted on leaf springs at the rear, while the Escort was the first Ford to feature rack and pinion steering. The 1300 GT version featured a mildly breathed on Weber-fed version of the 1300cc powerplant, uprated suspension and additional instrumentation. The Escort came to the attention of the motorsport world in some style when Hannu Mikkola won the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally – which led to the introduction of the performance-oriented Escort Mexico and the RS1600. But the ultimate sporting evolution of the Escort came with the RS2000, which proved to be enormously popular.

In summary:

· Just two previous keepers from new – and in its second ownership for 40 years

· Now presented in RS2000 guise, complete with 2-litre Pinto engine, flared steel wings, and RS wheels

· An ideal solution for those with RS2000 tastes but not an RS2000 budget