1977 Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800

Regarded as perhaps the ultimate rear-wheel drive Ford Escort, the Mk2-based RS1800 arrived in 1975 and was one of the rarest, most legendary high-performance models developed by Ford Europe. It remains one of Ford’s most successful motorsport cars and, like any marque’s official race/rally machines, there had to be a road-going version to enable the cars to obtain homologation for competition, so the RS1800 is a true 'homologation special' produced specifically so the Escort Mk2 could enter international motorsport. Not built for mass appeal, there was always going to be a limited customer base and consequently they are very rare with only 109 finding homes in period.

An evolution of the similarly powered Mk1-based RS1600, motivation was provided by the formidable Cosworth-tuned, naturally-aspirated, 1,835cc four-cylinder 16-valve BDA engine, capable of delivering 115bhp. In many ways the RS1800 can be considered as a BDA-powered Mk2 Mexico, sharing the same heavy-duty bodyshell, brakes, suspension, split-propshaft, differential and rear axle. Indeed, the great majority of RS1800 examples actually started life as Mk2 Escort RS Mexicos, built at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany. The complete cars were transported to the Aveley Plant where a team of engineers set about converting them to RS1800-specification - replacing Pinto OHC engines with BDA units, whilst adding an oil cooler, modifying the centre exhaust hanger and carrying out specific paintwork around the cars.

The RS1800 was only in production from March 1975 to September 1977 and currently, the RSOC RS1800 Registrar knows the circumstances of 86 examples, with only around 75 still in existence. It is no surprise that these extremely special cars have always been so sought after and are now hugely collectible – no 'proper' Ford Collection is complete without an RS1800. Small-run, homologated models produced to enable motorsport enthusiasts to enjoy success at international level is inevitably a formula for collectability as evidenced by the recent sale of a very special and twice-restored RS1800 for £276,848, easily a new world record value and well deserved.

However, as the old Wayne Carini classic car saying goes "they’re only original once", meaning cars which are unadulterated and retain their factory integrity only remain so as a singular occurrence, never to be repeated. These cars can hold a special place with many collectors, as originality just cannot be replicated and is highly-prized.

The quality of restorations carried out on these RS1800s can obviously vary, but, given their status, are often exceptional, sometimes creating better-than-new cars, which are routinely displayed at shows. However, homologation-specials, by definition, will be based on competition cars where the opportunity to still be able to properly drive them, and experience their performance and handling, is often an essential ingredient of any ownership.

With that in mind, how many of the remaining RS1800 examples have never been apart, and remain unrestored and original? Maybe just a handful, at best. Most have been adapted for use in motorsport, restored, re-shelled, had significant welding, received replacement panels and, at best, had old/new stock OEM parts added. This is to be expected, they would have needed it, as these cars were designed and built for a specific purpose and not to survive, intact and untouched, for 50 years. However, there are exceptions where unusual circumstances or diligent ownership, or a combination of the two mean that original cars do survive. ‘Museum quality’ – when an item best represents itself, in its truest and most well-preserved form - is a term sometimes applied to classic cars, but only some cars are worthy, and this RS1800, presented here, certainly is.

This is a 1977 Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 of the highest and most original quality, perhaps the best-preserved example still in existence, and it’s coming to the open market for the first time in 25 years. Our vendor is one of the UK’s foremost authorities on classic Fords, a hugely respected figure within this community, and his ownership of this car is a ‘stamp of approval’ in itself! His Collection and knowledge are second to none. He bought this car from only its second owner, a process that took a decade to negotiate, such was the car’s appeal and pedigree. Mechanically healthy and driven occasionally – our vendor is not one for the limelight, forgoing the shows and the crowds, choosing instead to take the occasional drive-out just to re-experience the allure of an RS1800, as intended by Ford.

This car was a particular favourite of the late RSOC Registrar, Dave Robinson, who referred to it, in correspondence, as 'untouched' and an 'original condition car', high praise indeed. This is supported everywhere you look though, from its original shell, matching numbers drivetrain, original chassis number stamped on the suspension mount, original PDI stickers in the boot, date stamps on all wings and rear arches, factory finishes and wax where you expect them to be, an immaculately preserved interior with original cloth, and that indiscernible 'Ford-smell'.

Our vendor has always kept the car in the correct dehumidified conditions, regularly maintained and serviced, annually MOT’d, and treated to a cam belt service in November 2023. The indicated mileage of 34,811 is supported by paperwork and is commensurate with the level of preservation displayed, it really is the sort of car that you would photograph as a template should you want to restore one.

Cars like this one are the last bastion for the serious collector, if originality is king, this car is certainly royalty! Unspoilt classic cars of this quality are to be celebrated, heralded and simply enjoyed – this RS1800 can be used and driven as intended by Ford, an experience not to compromised on if you’re lucky enough to own one.

'Best of breed' is a hard term to define objectively, but it surely should encompass originally, authenticity, sincerity, integrity and purity – none of these are a given with classic cars, but sometimes they’re all present and correct. This RS1800 is the genuine article, a survivor of its type and would proudly grace any car collection in the world, almost certainly the ‘most original RS1800 that still exists', because existing is what it’s done, without the need for any restoration.

This car has only been built once, by Ford in 1977 and this Consignor wholeheartedly commends it for your close inspection, it will not disappoint.