The real AVO (Advanced Vehicle Organisation) RS2000 was first produced in June 1973. It followed on from the cheaper Mexico (1600 Kent X-flow) and the exotic RS1600 (1600 TwinCam), all using the same type 49 strengthened shell. The RS2000 benefited from the then new 2 Litre SOHC which gave it near RS1600 performance but with the reliability and ease of use of the Mexico - whilst sitting at a price point neatly between the Mexico and RS2000. Around 3,500 cars were produced during its production life. Prices for good MK1 RS cars today are now rising.

I enjoyed making the 3D model so much that when I had the opportunity to purchase an RS2000 in near identical spec to the model I jumped at the opportunity. Specialist Insurance is available for a very reasonable cost (I personally use AON). The car always attracts a friendly crowd wherever it goes and is the first car I have EVER bought that is appreciating in value (been offered much more than I paid - MANY times) ! It is not for sale ....

For more MK1 Escort websites see the Links section.

Here are a few pics of my own RS2000 (Thanks also to Steve from SMc Photograpy for the professional photoshoot images taken for RetroFord ) :

RS2000 in motion (Courtesy SMc Photography)

RS2000 by SMc Photography

MK1 RS2000 by the sea

A very rare sight - an RS2000 in a Ford Showroom !

MK1 RS2000 with 2 up - 2 down spotlights

Producing over 100bhp at the wheels on the rolling road - smooth tractable power - BEFORE REBUILD

During the Summer of 2006 I installed an uprated 2.1 tuned engine engineered by JEMS, featuring a 205 block, 93mm pistons, injection rods, lightened & balanced, decked, uprated oil pump, arp bolts, electronic ignition, special light flywheel - and an Ultra big valve cylinder head (unleaded) with stainless steel valves, ported out to the max with the valve lifts set for the Kent FR33 cam timed with a Kent vernier pulley. During the rebuild a new racing Clutch form AP was installed along with a rebuilt 5spd gearbox.

Rebuilding the new 180 BHP Engine from JEMS - The 2.1 bottom end full rebuild

JEMS Big Valve Head, ported and polished with setup valve train geometry and Kent FR33

Rebuilt 5spd Gearbox with RS2000 Alloy bellhousing - and AP Racing Clutch

Exchanging existing 2.0 130BHP engine (foreground) for the uprated JEMs 180BHP 2.1

Just back from the first shake down run with new JEMs 2.1 installed and running sweetly

successful installation running with Group 1 twin 44 IDF Webers ...

... and works well ;)

And a little movie of the engine during run-in - so no high revs. Turn up your speakers and press play to view:

Flash Movie of the new engine revving - click the play button