Registration No: KAJ 163N
Chassis No: BBATPA79227
MOT: July 2023

• RS2000 evocation, using an original two-door shell
• Benefitting from much improvement since entering into current ownership including a bare metal respray
• Fitted with a 2.1-litre Pinto engine allied to a 5-speed type 9 gearbox
• Discovered by the vendor while on holiday in Malta and subsequently repatriated in 2016

The MkI Ford Escort was introduced in Ireland and the United Kingdom at the end of 1967, making its show debut at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1968. The Escort had conventional rear-wheel drive and a four-speed manual gearbox, or three-speed automatic transmission. The suspension consisted of MacPherson strut front suspension and a simple live axle mounted on leaf springs. The Escort was the first small Ford to use rack-and-pinion steering. The MkI featured contemporary styling cues in tune with its time: a subtle Detroit-inspired "Coke bottle" waistline and the "dogbone" shaped front grille – arguably the car's main stylistic feature.

Introduced in June that year, the RS2000 MkI was destined to be the last model to be built at Ford's legendary AVO (Advanced Vehicle Operations) Plant. Based around the same strengthened Type 49 monocoque bodyshell as its predecessors, the newcomer boasted equally predictable/entertaining handling thanks to the provision of Macpherson strut independent front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle, servo-assisted disc/drum brakes and rack and pinion steering. An unusual tortoise/hare hybrid in that it essentially combined the pace of the highly-strung RS1600 with the reliability of the more pedestrian Mexico, the RS2000 was powered by the Blue Oval's new 1993cc SOHC four-cylinder 'Pinto' engine. A difficult installation - Ford's engineers only managed to shoehorn it in place by removing the standard fan assembly (substituting a thermostatically controlled Kenlowe instead) - the 'Pinto' developed some 100bhp and 108lbft of torque. Somewhat at odds with its ability to sprint from 0-60mph in 9 seconds and onto 108mph, the RS2000's well-appointed interior with comprehensive instrumentation made it a surprisingly agreeable motorway companion.

Manufactured in 1975, chassis number ‘BBATPA79227’ was supplied new to the European market. Discovered by the vendor in Malta in 2016, when on holiday in the country, the vendors purchased the car from the owner and arranged for its repatriation to the United Kingdom that same year. An evocation of the iconic RS2000, ‘KAJ 163N’ began life originally as a 1300 two-door, since being fitted with a 2.1 litre Pinto straight-four engine allied to a five-speed Type-9 manual gearbox. Finished in Black with a complementing Black interior upholstery, the Escort has been fitted with new RS alloy wheels and tyres, a twin-box RS2000 exhaust system; RS2000 alloy sump and bell housing during current ownership, as well as the RS steering wheel.

Subject to much further improvement while with the vendor, the work has included a full interior refresh with retrimmed seats and a Newton Commercial carpet set; bare metal repainting; new front discs and pads; new top mounts, ball joints and Bilstein front struts; a replacement distributor; and rolling road tuning in 2021. With a recorded mileage of 73,337 miles (at time of consignment), the Ford is accompanied by a history file comprising of a collection of invoices relating to the vendor's improvements, previous MOT certificates and a current V5C. The Escort is also expected to possess a fresh MOT certificate in time for sale.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452