Cars with history: Ford Escort RS2000 Mk I

The 1970s were a very prolific time for Ford in Europe, with models that defined an era and left a fairly deep mark on those of us who love cars. Alongside the Capri and Cortina in Great Britain, in 1973 came the first edition of the Escort RS2000, the successor to the RS1600 that had become famous on rally stages.

Although the V6 offered in the Capri was tempting, Ford decided that the engine would be the new two-litre powerplant, with its cast iron block and head, which at that time equipped the Ford Cortina. The Escort’s engine bay was a little smaller than the Cortina’s, so the new engine had to do without the belt-driven fan, replacing it with an electric one.

Removing the fan gave the first RS2000 a total of 100 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and a top speed of 175 km/h. Clearly, it was an engine that could be exploited much further, and that was the purpose behind the RS2000. Later, the same Ford also offered the same two-litre engine, now with a 10.9:1 compression ratio and two Weber 45 DCOE carburettors, pushing top speed to nearly 200 km/h.

Homologation for Group 1 was achieved in 1974, with 5,000 units produced, split between Great Britain and Germany. By the time homologation was granted, Ford was already thinking about the second generation of the Escort, the MkII, and about continuing the RS1600 racing programme in rallying and in the emerging African raids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaMelv_Aj-M

Photo | DMM Multimedia