Classic Car Auctions (CCA) has consigned an unusual performance vehicle to its December Sale in the form a Ford Escort RS2000 van to be auctioned on 2nd December at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre.
Once a humble, standard 1979 Mk II Escort van, it was purchased in 2007 by a new owner with a vision to upgrade the simple commercial vehicle to something more like the most famous rally-bred performance saloon of the seventies, the Ford Escort MkII RS2000.
For this unique, special build, which was carried out over approximately three years, the van was completely stripped and rebuilt using original parts sourced from a Mk II RS2000 donor car.
The rebuild included the installation of a modified 2.1 Pinto engine along with a short shift gearbox as well as the addition of motorbike carburettors for extra whizz.
The interior refit features an original RS2000 six-pod dashboard, steering wheel and black RS seats, not forgetting the exterior details which include Minilite alloy wheels, as well as the owner’s choice of chrome bullet wing mirrors. Finally the van was finished in Ford Modena Green to foot the invoice totalling more than £40,000.
Since the van’s transformation it has been kept in storage and is due to be sold so that someone can enjoy it fully. It will be offered on auction day with a pre-sale estimate of £12,000 to £15,000.
“Escort derivatives have a huge following on the market and this one is no exception!” explains Simon Langsdale, classic car specialist at Classic Car Auctions.
“All parts are original standard parts from a donor RS2000, from the engine to the seats, meaning this van has all the power and thrills of the car, just inside a van’s body. Why not?”
Today the van presents in very good condition after its recently completed rebuild, with the odometer reading 78,000 miles representing the mileage covered in its former life.
To find out more about the 1979 Ford Escort Mk II Escort van RS2000 and the CCA December Sale visit https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/1979-ford-escort-mk2-van-rs2000-specification.
