This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Supercar Fest 2026 on Saturday, May 16th, at Sywell Aerodrome, Sywell, Northampton, NN6 0BN.
The RS (Rallye Sport) identity has been an important part of Ford's sporting image for many years. Over the years, the Rallye Sport name has been applied to 19 notable road car models, many of which proved their performance in races, rallies, rallycross, and in the marketplace. In the late 1960s, Ford began building high-performance cars in small numbers, starting with the Escort Twin Cam in 1967. Their goal was to create high-performance versions of their mainstream production cars to compete in motorsport, where they achieved great success, winning the RAC Rally for eight consecutive years from 1972 to 1979 with the Escort RS1600 and RS1800 models.
Ford established the Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) department at a dedicated facility in Aveley, Essex, to design, develop, and build performance models. These cars were sold exclusively through Ford Rallye Sport Dealers. The first car was driven off the production line by Graham Hill in November 1970. However, the energy crisis of the early 1970s led to a slump in car sales, and the AVO factory closed permanently in 1975.
Despite this, Ford continued to offer enthusiasts the opportunity to customize their RS Escorts. They developed a range of upgrades for the Mk2 RS2000, with customer or dealer-fit Series X modifications available. These parts were only obtainable through authorized Ford dealers, who could order any amount of Group 1 parts depending on customer preferences. The most sought-after upgrade was the X-Pack body kit, transforming the already attractive model into a "race car for the road." The Series X tuning parts catalog addressed every aspect of the car, including engine, brakes, suspension, and body styling.
With Series X kits, owners could add authentic Rallye Sport style and performance to their RS2000. Options included increased power, larger brakes, stiffer suspension, lightweight alloy wheels, air-dam, spoiler, and wheel arches. Ford described it as allowing owners to make as many or as few modifications as desired.
The standard Escort Mk2 RS2000, introduced in 1976, was a capable vehicle featuring a robust 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder SOHC Pinto engine mounted longitudinally, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 108 mph. As a true RS, it featured engineering enhancements such as a gearbox mounted at the rear of the engine, transmitting power via a prop-shaft to the rear wheels. It was equipped with a twin-venturi 32/36 DGAV Weber carburetor, with options for a Group 1 dual Weber 40 DCNF or IDF. The suspension comprised independent MacPherson struts with anti-roll bars at the front and leaf springs with telescopic dampers at the rear. It had front solid disc brakes, rear drums, and came with four-spoke alloy wheels. A distinctive polyurethane droop snoot front end and air dam set it apart visually.
Offered here is a 1979 Ford Escort RS2000 Custom Series X, finished in black. It is understood to have been supplied new by Crystal Ford of Hull. Importantly, this is an original UK-supplied, right-hand drive example and a factory-built Series X car, not a later conversion or recreation.
This vehicle has approximately 57,979 miles on the odometer. It was first registered in the UK on September 28, 1979. The current owner has held the car for over 10 years, and it has a history of 12 former registered keepers. The car is reported to retain its correct Series X specification, including the distinctive body kit, bonnet locks, uprated suspension, vented front discs, and a set of original features.
