Lot details
Registration No: J791EEE
Chassis No: WFOBXXGABMJ04597
Mot Expiry: June 2011

Introduced in November 1991, the Escort RS2000 MK5 was intended to recapture the spirit of its 1970s forebears. Based around a standard three-door monocoque bodyshell, it was equipped with Macpherson strut independent front suspension, a radius arm located torsion beam rear axle, four wheel disc brakes (disc / drums on later cars) and variable-ratio power assisted steering. Derived from the in-line unit fitted to the Sierra and Scorpio ranges, its 1998cc four-pot engine featured a bespoke chain-driven DOHC cylinder head. Credited with 150bhp and 140lbft of torque, it was mated to five-speed 'MTX75' transmission. Reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 8.3 seconds and 133mph, the model enjoyed its own race / rally series and even achieved moderate success in 'open' events - winning rallies in both Ireland and the Isle of Man. Visually distinguished by a modified front bumper (integral fog lights / revised grille etc), side skirts and rear spoiler, the hot Escort also boasted orange / red backlit instrumentation (as opposed to the glowing green dials normally found in Fords). A much underrated driver's car, the RS2000 MK5 is now becoming collectable.

Finished in white with grey cloth upholstery, this particular example is variously described by the vendor as being in "reasonable" (bodywork), "fair" (paintwork), "OK" (electrical equipment), "very reasonable" (interior trim) or "very good" (engine, five-speed manual gearbox) condition. Reportedly (a) showing an unwarranted 18,000 miles to its odometer and (b) accompanied by seven previous MOTs, 'J791 EEE' is further understood to have been "run for the last five years without any problems". Noting the need for some "slight cosmetic attention", the seller sums-up the Ford as "a true driver's car". MOT tested until June 2011, it is also taxed until December 2010.