Mk1 Escort RS2000

Mk1 Escort RS2000

The Mk1 Escort RS2000 was the last car to be introduced to the AVO production range, introduced in the June of 1973.

The car fitted nicely into the AVO range with its performance almost comparable to the complex RS1600, but with the reliability and ease of maintenance as the Mexico.The original name for the car was to be the “Puma”, but it was decided to keep with the RS tradition and so it was re-named the RS2000.

The car used the same type 49-body shell as the Mexico and RS1600. Fortunately, there was a new engine in use at ford, the 2-litre overhead cam pinto design, which Ford then decided to use instead. Fords then had the major problem to persuade the new bulky pinto engine to fit into the engine bay, which was something it had never been meant to do. The only way of achieving this was by discarding the engine driver cooling fan and replacing it with a thermostatically controlled Kenlowe fan.

The engine produced 100bhp (2bhp more than in the Cortina).The gearbox was the German type e-box and was totally different from the RS1600. They used a final drive of 3.54:1. The car was launched in England on 11th October 1973 priced at £1586.

It was claimed that the first 2000 cars were built between the June and September of 1973, and were reserved for the German market, which is why British buyers could not get hold of the cars until the October of that year.

Although group 1 homologation was achieved (5000 units built) it is now accepted that around 3500 RS2000 cars actually left the production line at Aveley. It has been claimed however, that over 1000 cars were produced on the Ford production line at Saalouis in Germany, although no solid evidence of this is to hand.

The early cars were fitted with the superb German scheel seats, but these were replaced with Fords own RS cloth seats for the British market.At the AVO factory Ford built 4 Mexico estates, with one of these being later converted into a RS2000 estate by the request of Charlie Reynolds. To our knowledge this car still exists and is located in Bristol.

The AVO factory was closed in December 1974 to make way for the development and manufacture of the MK2 escort.

Mk 1 Escort RS 2000 Specification

Engine

4 cylinder in line. Cubic capacity 1993cc (121.6cu ins). Bore 90.82mm (3.58in) . Stroke 76.95mm (3.03in). Compression ratio 9.2:1. Power 100 PS (DIN) at 5750rpm. Torque 107lb/ft at 3750rpm. Single overhead camshaft belt driven. Overhead valves. Five main bearing crankshaft. Alloy sump, bolted to clutch housing

Engine Lubrication

High efficiency mechanical pump. Full flow oil filter with renewable element. Capacity of system 6.7 pints (3.9 litres) including filter.

Ignition

12 volt system, ballast resistor coil.

Fuel System

Mechanical pump. Electrical fuel gauge. Tank capacity 9.0 gallons (41.0 litres).

Cooling System

Thermostatically controlled electric fan. Pressurised. Capacity of system 12.2 pints (6.9 litres)

Transmission

Single selector rail shift, four speed synchromesh gearbox, cable operated diaphragm clutch 8.5 inch diameter . Gearbox Ratios: 1st 3.65: 2nd 1.97: 3rd 1.37: 4th 1.00: reverse 3.66. Overall ratios: 1st 12.92: 2nd 6.974: 3rd 4.85: 4th 3.54: reverse 12.96.Final drive 3.54:1. 18.7mph per 1000rpm in top gear.

Body

Heavy duty body. Steel integral construction, safety glass all round with laminated windscreen. Two doors with anti-burst door locks. Air extraction vents below rear window. Single tone paint finish. Two alternative styles of decorative striping. aluminium grille with black painted centre. Chrome rear bumpers and front quarter bumpers. Choice of six body colours.

Rear Axle

Timken type axle. Semi floating, hypoid final drive. Axle ratio 3.54:1. Located by two radius arms.

Front Suspension

Independent coil springs, McPherson strut incorporating double acting hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers, stabiliser bar.

Rear Suspension

Live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Double acting telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers. Radius arms

Brakes

Dual line braking system. Front – disc brakes, diameter 9.625in (24.45cm), swept area 191.0sq in (1,230.0sq cm). Direct acting vacuum servo assistance. Rear – drum brakes, diameter 8.00in (20.32cm), swept area 75.4sq in (485.5sq cm). Direct acting vacuum servo assistance.

Steering

Rack and pinion. Three spoke flat sports steering wheel with padded imitation leather rim and with collapsible convoluted can steering column. Diameter, 14in (35.6 cm). Turning circle (kerb) 29.7ft (9.054 cm).

Wheel and Tyres

Styled steel sports road wheels two tone paint, 4 stud fixing, 5 1/2in rim width, 13in diameter, 165SR x 13, radial ply tubeless tyres.

Electrical Equipment

Two 7in diameter round, sealed beam 55/55w quartz halogen headlamps with combined sidelights. Separate direction indictors below headlamps. Twin tail light assemblies incorporating direction indicator flashers, rear lights, brake lights, brake warning lights and reflectors. Reversing lamps, Luggage compartment light. Rear number plate illumination light. Door operated courtesy light. 35amp alternator. Pre-engaged starter motor. Dual horns. Battery 12 volt, 58 amp hour at 20 hour rate. Fully fused system.

Instruments

Binnacle in front of driver containing speedometer (with odometer), tachometer, battery condition indicator, fuel, oil pressure and water temperature gauges. Warning lights for ignition, oil pressure, main beam direction indicators and heated rear window.

Switches

Small safety rocker switches for side / head lights, heater fan, windscreen wipers four way hazard and heated backlight. Starter / ignition switch. Direction indicators, main and dipped beam, headlamp flasher and horn operated from single control stalk mounted on steering column, Floor mounted, foot operated windsheild washer and wiper.

General Equipment

Heated rear window, two speed windscreen wipers with anti lift aero foil on drivers side. Windscreen washers. Washable plastic black headlining. Padded fascia top and front of collapsible parcel shelf. Fitted interior carpets. Luggage compartment mat. Fully reclining individual front bucket seats with anti-tip device. Fabric upholstery. Remote floor mounted gearshift. Safety styled door handles and window winders. Breakaway stem dipping rear view mirror. Ashtray in fascia, rear ashtrays in side panels. Two padded, safety, sun visors. Aluminium scuff plates to door sills. Heater and demister. Face level ventilation system, vents in fascia combined with demister nozzles. Cigar lighter, two rear grab handles with coat hangers and one front without hanger.

The MK1 RS2000 had the following external features which make a good starting point for identification of a genuine car:

• MK1 coupe body shell (Type 49), being a strengthened version of the standard Escort shell. Check for reinforced suspension legs under the front mudguards and additional strengthening plates on the inner front mudguards, around the strut tops.
• Side stripe / bonnet stripe decals (2 alternative designs available).
• Safety glass all round, with laminated windscreen.
• Anti-burst door locks.
• Air extraction vents behind / below rear window.
• Aluminium grille with black painted centre. (RS MK1 models always had circular headlights, as opposed to square standard lights)
• Chrome rear bumper and front corner bumpers.
• Steel 4 stud wheels with two tone dark grey paint and RS logo, being 5.5” X 13” in size with 165SR x 13, having radial ply tubeless tyres. These wheels should have part number 'H71AB 1007 AC' or description '13x5½-H2' cast into one of the spokes. Note - some wheels carry no markings so dont be too worried about this.
• Optional four-spoke RS alloy wheels (fitted to most RS2000’s now).
• Anti-lift aero-foil on driver’s side windscreen wiper.
• RS2000 badges on front quarter panels and LHS bootlid.

The Ford Escort RS2000 MK1 had the following original interior features. Note, many of these features are not necessarily unique to the RS2000, and may have been shared amongst other escort models in the MK1 range.

Instruments:

• Instrument cluster with speedometer, odometer, tachometer, battery condition indicator, fuel, oil pressure and water temperature, plus warning lights for ignition, oil pressure and main beam direction indicators.

Steering Wheel:

• Three spoke flat RS sports steering wheel with padded imitation leather rim and with collapsible steering column (Diameter 35.6 cm).

Switches:

• Switches for side / head lights, heater fan, windscreen wipers four way hazard and heated backlight. Starter / ignition switch. Direction indicators, main and dipped beam, headlamp flasher and horn operated from single control stalk mounted on the steering column, Floor mounted, foot operated washer and wipers.

Materials / Fabrics:

• Washable black headlining, fitted interior carpets, padded vinyl dash top, luggage compartment mat, dark grey cloth seats, aluminium door scuff plates, padded sun visors.

Other features:

• Heated rear window
• Fully reclining individual front bucket seats with anti-tip device.
• Remote floor mounted gearshift.
• Safety styled door handles and window winders.
• Dipping rear view mirror.
• Ashtray in fascia and rear ashtrays in side panels and Cigar lighter in front.
• Heater and demister.
• Face level air vents, combined with demister nozzles.
• Rear grab handles with coat hangers and one front without hanger.

The Ford Escort RS2000 was originally available in the following paint colours listed below, and demonstrated in the images. The colour of the corresponding side stripes is also given next to the colour. The paint code is listed on the cars chassis plate under "Colour", where the Ford code will be listed. The colour is also mentioned on the AVO plate, which provides an additional point of confirmation.

• Diamond White (Ford paint code: B / Du Pont: 42590LH)

- (Blue decals OR red pinstripe / coachstripe)

• Sebring Red (Ford paint code: DN or N / Ditzler: 72076, Du Pont: 42588LM)

- (Red decals OR black pinstripe / coachstripe)

• Daytona Yellow (Ford paint code: T / Ditzler: 81944)

- (Yellow Ochre decals OR black pinstripe / coachstripe)

• Modena Green (Ford paint code: M / Du Pont: 43139LH)

- (Green decals OR black pinstripe / coachstripe)

• Olympic Blue (Ford paint code: E / Du Pont: 43189L)

- (Blue decals OR black pinstripe / coachstripe)

• Stardust Blue Metallic (Ford paint code: 3 / Ditzler: 33122)

- (Blue decals OR black pinstripe / coachstripe)

Note, if a car was special order, the code "Y" would appear on the chassis plate, and an individual colour applied, which would hopefully be described in the vehicles order records.

Location: The chassis number is located in two positions on an Escort MK1 RS2000. Firstly, it is stamped into the aluminium Ford chassis plate (under the heading "Vehicle No."), which is pop rivited to the front bonnet slam panel. Secondly, the number is stamped into the body panel on the top of the right hand side suspension tower. The numbers in both locations should of course match, and in a fully original car, will also be stamped on the engine block.

Format: A Ford Escort RS2000 should have a chassis number in the following format, subject to the decoding guide below:

MK1 RS2000 (example only) Chassis Number: BFATNP54456

1st digit: (Vehicle Source):

• B = Ford Britain / C = Ford Britain affiliate company / G =Ford Germany

2nd digit (Assembly Plant):

• B = Halewood / F = Aveley / C = Saarlouis / K = Sydney

3rd digit (Model):

• A = Escort.

4th digit (Body Type):

• T = 2 door saloon

5th digit (Year of Manufacture):

• 1973 = N / 1974 = P / 1975 = R

6th digit (Month of Manufacture):

• 1973 : (Jan = J, Feb = U, Mar = M, Apr = P, May = B, Jun = R Jul = A, Aug = G, Sep = C, Oct = K, Nov = D, Dec = E)
• 1974 = (Jan = L, Feb = Y, Mar = S, Apr = T, May = I, Jun = U, Jul = M, Aug = P, Sep = B, Oct = R, Nov = A, Dec = G)
• 1975 = (Jan= C, Feb = K, Mar = D, Apr = E, May = L, Jun = Y, Jul = S, Aug = T, Sep = J, Oct = U, Nov = M, Dec = P)

7th – eleventh digit (Serial Number):

• Individual vehicle serial number for that particular month (between 00001 – 99999)

Engine Number Prefix:

The RS2000 should have an engine block with the number "20" cast into it in a large font (see images). The MK1 RS2000 used a Ford Pinto 2L engine, and the casting mark "20" makes a starting point for correct identification. Many people replace original engines with more common "205" or "202" Ford Pinto blocks, so look out for those large casting numbers as well.

In addition to this, like most other Fords, an original car will actually have the 7 digit chassis number of the car stamped into the flat area of the engine block. This can be replicated, like many things, but if it has the same chassis number as on the chassis plate, then its likely to be the original engine.

Location:

The engine size prefix and number stamping is located on the exhaust port side of the engine block. It is generally described as being below the number 2 exhaust port. There you will see a flat area where the stamping is, and below that, the number "20" casting mark.