AVO-built Mk1 and droopsnoot Mk2 — Ford's Pinto-powered fast Escort.
The Ford Escort RS2000 was launched in June 1973 as a Group 1 homologation Escort built at Ford's Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) plant at Aveley, on the Type 49 shell. Ford claimed 5,000 cars built for homologation — a figure now widely doubted (see Mk1 variant note).
The Mk2 followed from March 1975 with the distinctive polyurethane "droopsnoot" nose, and production ran to 1980.
One of the defining RS-badged Escorts and a foundation of Ford's Mk1/Mk2 fast-Ford story. Build provenance — verifiable AVO Aveley origin on the Mk1 in particular — and documented restoration history are the main value drivers.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escort RS2000 Mk1 | 1973–1974 | — | Launched June 1973. Built at Ford's AVO plant at Aveley on the Type 49 shell. 1,993cc Pinto, ~100 bhp; 108–110 mph. Production: 5,000 claimed for homologation; ~3,500 accepted as built at Aveley, plus an unconfirmed 1,000+ at Saarlouis — sources conflict, Verify flag. |
| Escort RS2000 Mk2 | 1975–1980 | — | Announced March 1975. Polyurethane "droopsnoot" nose. 110 bhp, 0–62 in 8.9s; production to 1980. Australian-market RS2000 of 2,400 units includes a unique four-door body. Per Ford AVO / RS marque-specialist sources. |
For the Mk1 specifically, verify AVO Aveley build against Ford AVO / RS marque-specialist sources. Ford claimed 5,000 built for Group 1 homologation; that figure is now widely doubted (see the Mk1 variant note). For the Mk2 specifically, verify the polyurethane droopsnoot nose and — where relevant — the Australian-market four-door body against build records.
Inspect the body shell (Type 49 on the Mk1), floors and inner structure carefully. Confirm the extent of any body restoration and originality of panels — for the Mk2, the polyurethane droopsnoot nose is a model-specific item.
Confirm the 1,993cc Pinto engine and driveline against the exact generation and market, and verify service and rebuild history against an appropriate specialist. Australian-market Mk2 RS2000s include a unique four-door body.
Restoration standard is decisive. Confirm the shop, extent and date of any restoration, and any documented ownership or period-competition record, against a Ford AVO / RS marque specialist.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-11-11 | Iconic Auctioneers NEC | Mk1 RS2000 Model record. | — | £108,000 Sold |
| March 2025 | Iconic Auctioneers Warwickshire Event Centre | 1973 Mk1 RS2000 | — | £78,750 Sold |
| 2026-02-21 | Iconic Auctioneers Iconic Auctioneers | 1974 Mk1 RS2000 | — | £50,625 Sold |
| 2026-03-07 | Historics Historics | 1980 Mk2 RS2000 | — | £29,744 Sold |
One of the defining RS-badged Escorts. Build provenance — verifiable AVO Aveley origin on the Mk1 in particular — driveline originality and documented restoration history separate the strongest examples.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
