Breathtaking 1975 Ford Escort RS2000 Review - Classic Fast Ford

[@Shughesy]

I’m lucky to own a Mk1 Mexico. Bloody love it

[@wightangel]

Not really Jealous. You lucky person.

[@neilmustow368]

Very lucky fella 70's Legend

[@strongbowism]

Not jealous at all you lucky Bugger. Mk1, proper car...

[@Hazardous975]

Jammy fucker

[@moneymandan6217]

I own one to, are you in the oc

[@realnutteruk1]

People rave about the sound of V6s and V8s and V12s.... but there's absolutely nothing better than the sound of a proper English inline four with decent carbs and pipes...... This is perfect!!!

[@saxon-mt5by]

Try an Italian in-line four of the period, they come with noises like this as standard even on mundane family cars!

[@Pauld62]

Not to mention the unmistakable smell!

[@akkual]

Race prepped 4 cyl BDA with lucas fuel injection, gilloutine throttle bodies and 9000 rpm redline. I have never heard anything better sounding that. It's also probably the most expensive 4 cyl car engine you can dream of.

[@akkual]

It's hard to get it on video, but I think this video gets the raw anger vibe via the microphone not fully being able to handle it kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZfCf3turtR2nbs

[@Arayig1982]

Too bad then that the pinto engine here is German not english.

[@memsybabe]

Looks, drives, weighs, and sounds exactly the way a car should. You don't need to go 200mph. You only need enough. Not too much. Just enough to put a smile on your face. Easy..

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

Back in my college days I started with an 1100 xflow then 1300 then 1600 then 2000cc Pinto then I needed a Cosworth engine ... It's never enough power!!!

[@grayfool]

Tuning with cams, carbs and ports was the only way to do it then. None of this faffing about with laptops, you had to use spanners and stuff. Pretty car.

[@liamholcroft7212]

Which is why cars broke ;)

[@grayfool]

@Alexandre Yeah, I used to enjoy getting my hands dirty.

[@inlimbo6019]

@@liamholcroft7212 but with a bag of spanners,hammer,few screwdrivers,you could also fix them yourself,none of this throw away parts and lap top fault codes,fookin hate modern cars

[@liamholcroft7212]

@@inlimbo6019 modern cars are ugly and built to survive up til the warranty, so I agree with you there. However the the tech now is miles ahead of the old stuff. Restomods are the way forward.

[@inlimbo6019]

@@liamholcroft7212 i hear you mate,regarding restomods,for me it all depends how far they took it with the modern tech,i'm not a fan of putting say an ST ford engine or v6,v8 in a MK1 or MK2 Escorts,i prefer something like a Harris or Burton pinto 2.2 or 2.1,up grade the brakes and suspension,then i'm a happy man,4 kids and 5 grandkids later,i'm still saving,in the hope of buying a MK2 mexico in white at some point,fingers crossed mate eh lol

[@inlimbo6019]

that exhaust rip,takes me right back to the eighties,i'm sitting here grinning from ear to ear

[@s_s_s_cars]

Nice to see another of my cars on this channel again. For those that are interested the colour is Modena Green and it’s a October 1975 registered car👍

[@moonbabyking]

What size are the carbs on it? 40s? 45s? I have some 48s on my capri and are thinking of downsizing

[@s_s_s_cars]

Alex twin 45’s.

[@moonbabyking]

@@s_s_s_cars thank you, lovely car by the way

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Its lovely. How i ached for one of these, back in the day. The closest i got was a white mk 1 escort 1.3 . Still liked it though.

[@s_s_s_cars]

Alex just might be my favourite car in my collection 😳. Also it is my wife’s favourite 😀

[@marcdavis2840]

Car from my mis spent youth 😀Hi Lift cam, twin 45 Dellorto and a less restrictive back box. The twin cibie upfront were needed as the stock lights were crap and the Kent countryside is a dark place at night. The 5 or 6 guys that I used to hang around with all had 'performance' cars of the day. Lotus Cortina, Cooper 1275. Capri RS3100. Ford Mexico. Later cars included RS1800BDA, Cosworth Sierra, Dolomite Sprint. RS1600i. Of course a Motorola 8 track was needed to complete the setup. 👍 Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@leebuckles2364]

Keep reviewing this older stuff we sometimes forget we wouldn't have the super fast cars of today if it wasn't for Ford and other companies Doing these cars in their day and it don't need to be fast to have fun

[@ENGBriseB]

That to me is a piece of art gorgeous brings back memories.

[@strongbowism]

Proper fast Ford this. I owned a Mk 2 RS2000 back in the mid 80's, loved it dearly but always wanted the Mk1 RS more but it was never to be. Love these Old Skool reviews JayEmm.

[@michaelgreen244]

One of my all time favourite cars... who needs a radio with an exhaust soundtrack like that.... pass me a box of tissues...❤

[@rogermouton2273]

You're so right about the interior not being an issue when a car is a REALLY good drive. If you find yourself becoming concerned about cheap looking switches or a lack of cup holders, you can bet you're in a boring drive and who needs that? In some sense, the past is the future of driver's cars, I think. People will be drawn to cars like this because they give an experience at legal speeds that modern cars with all their weight and so forth will never match.

[@EvoraGT430]

The past, or Lotus.

[@alandonnelly9788]

That is a piece of history looks amazing

[@neilmustow368]

Late Registered Mk 1 Escort RS2000 October 1975 lovely car so loved these cars

[@dannygroom3327]

Back in the 80s had a rally preped twin cam replica, was so much fun, best car ever had.

[@paula200]

I grew up a few doors away from Ray Wilkins sister and I remember him turning up at hers one day in brand new mk1 RS 2000. It was white with the blue decals and to this day, I still lust after one.

[@terrywootton8882]

Rallied a 1600 Mk1 back in the day. Followed it with Mk2 Mexico and two Mk2 RS 2000s. Oh how I wish I still had one.

[@eeclass20]

I grew up in a small town called Hinckley , home town of one Roger Clark. He was a rally driver in the 70's and won numerous, rallies many in Escorts (51 stage wins)mostly as a privateer. Interestingly the family business was a Renault dealership back then and today the Roger Clark name lives on in the town as a rally car preperation business.

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

RS2000...it doesnt need an introduction...its that good...🙂👍

[@wightangel]

The MK1 Escort is the best looking Escort ever. Same as the MK 1 Capri,MK1 Fiesta. Just loved the muscle look of these cars and when I was young I would instantly recognise the RS Escort sound when it came up the road. They just do not make cars like this anymore.

[@dungareesareforfools]

Even bog standard mk1 Escorts have a gorgeous and distinctive sound and sharp handling.

[@beauchamphuberville1355]

im a mark 2 guy personally - apart from the Mexico...that was mega.

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Actually they do...but they cost a house

[@wightangel]

@@allosaurusfragilis7782 If I ever was lucky enough to come into money, I wouldn’t have Ferraris or Mcclarens I would own a iconic British made car from the 70’s. They were the best in my opinion.

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

@@wightangel was having this conversation with a friend earlier. He'd have a rs2000 all done up . His lottery car. I could be tempted by that crazy new Aston dbx. Oh well, back to reality ...

[@user-zq6yz5gf6d]

This escort specifically is the nicest mk1 I've seen on the internet. I love everything about it, from the colour, the originality, the rally lights, it all looks perfectly period-correct and it is truly beautiful.

[@poovaneswaransupramaniam19]

Hi jay thanks for the review...amazing rs2000...my late father used to own 1300gt ford escort in the 1970s....

[@weedaviec]

Gorgeous car. I owned a Mk2 Escort back in the day and have great memories of sideways action on the back roads, sometimes into the odd fence post. Mine had a really positive gearshift too- probably the best of any car I've owned.

[@inlimbo6019]

you have a beautiful car mate,back in the eighties,an old mate of mine had the exact same RS,as the one in your video,it was the exact same beautiful green colour,the same,stripes,lights,etc,his was a factory standard RS in mint condition,it was by far the best RS iv'e ever seen in the flesh,in fact it was the best Escort i'd seen period,i have to say...your RS is even more stunning !

[@Pmjs]

My uncle's had a Ford Escort mk1,1 had Granada mk1 estate,1 had a Cortina mk1& I had a Ford Escort 1.3L mk2 1980V for my 2nd car. I love Classic Ford's.

[@simodthebod4256]

Thank you James for giving the Escort a fabulous tribute - I feel it’s been poorly represented by the mainstream media shows for years. You nailed it!!! I felt like I was in my teens again (1st car was an Orange mk2 Mexico rep and had a Mk2 Harrier later). Sooooo wish I could afford one again - Mid life crisis anyone?!? Haha. Cheers! 👍🏽 Ps. My dad had an RS2000 and as a kid, I knew when he was coming home from work as you could here it a mile away!

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Jay after what you said about the mk1 Ford RS2000 you are now my most favourite car man... Well done old chap👍

[@strutstipher]

I rally a 1973 MK1 RS forest Escort with the 2.0 BDG 260bhp Revs to 10,000 (like the works cars of the day) it is still a proper competitive weapon today, still capable of giant killing performances. Who needs power steering! In the day we all wanted an RS2000, and today I think I'd like the MST MK2 RS2000 Evo.😍

[@zakkane4473]

Awesome video, thankyou, and you bloody enjoyed that drive, i could tell.

[@user-qq2mo1ek2r]

You have to love a fast Ford, this is one special car.

[@russcattell955i]

These & the mexico were for the motorsport clubman. A ready to go or a base for higher level. I competed against many of these (dual DCOE's were not permitted) in night road rally's, a worthy opponent to our Kadette C coupe with Manta 1.9 running gear. I have a photo by a spectator somewhere of us airborne flat out over a crest. I didn't know how fast we were going at the time (too busy to check) but later my wife had the car out and beat her friend in her new Cavalier SRi down the bypass. They were supposed to be doing ladies that lunch !

[@johanolers441]

Great video James! You inspired me to take my Alfa Nuova Super to work tomorrow. Keep up the good work.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Enjoy it!

[@Gandalf606]

Passed my test in 1978 in a Mini and then bough my first car - a Mk1 Escort in 1982. My personal fav was my Mk2 but I love Fast Fords from this era. I do hanker after an RS2000!

[@Exilviewman]

Es macht richtig Spaß, Dir zuzuschauen und das finde ich Super :-)

[@adrianrobinson8458]

I owned a red mk1 RS Mexico back in 1982, then a mk3 escort RS 1600i 1991, massive ford RS fan 😎👍🏽

[@philnewstead5388]

I had a Mk1 and a Mk2 back in the day and loved both of them sold them both for less than £1500 which was good money back then. Wish I'd kept them now when I see them up for between 40 and 50k.

[@jamesbrundret1726]

That looked like the bridge over the river Wye near Holme Lacy......anyway, I digress! I had one of these in 1989. It cost a Grand and I loved it. First time I've come across this channel and warmed gradually toward it as the review went on. I'll be back!!

[@2.fresh767]

The noise!!!!!!!! Beautiful.

[@italsounds001]

Nice! Who could dislike an RS2000? well 5 people so far it seems, eyes too close together, monobrow, must be clan Prius.

[@garygritter5701]

The Mk1 RS2000 was a great car but the 2.0 pinto was a crap engine. I’d much rather have a 1.6 bda

[@lj03oem]

I grew up on Fords,could always tell if an Escort had a Kent or a Pinto in it,they sounded so different.The monobrows have lengthened to eight,sad.

[@petergalbraith3422]

Great video Jay, it's pretty clear from this (and others!) that you're not a Ford man, and that's fine. The world would be dull place if we all drove around in the same cars and had the same tastes. I am a fairly new subscriber, and I love content like this! I'm not a huge fan of the new cars that come onto the scene, most are quite dull imo, however older cars are what floats my boat. Keep it coming! I am a Ford man btw... ;)

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I am indeed not a Ford man but I'll happily admit when I enjoy something anyway

[@nearlyretired7005]

Used to own a 1968 Escort Twin Cam.Weber Carbs sucking in air...... Lovely!

[@philtucker1224]

Thanks JayEmm, a great video of a great car, with a very tastefully restored finish. (You said this one was gently tuned up to give 140 bhp) and when I think back to 1970 riding in the back of my friend’s dad’s new Ford Zepphyr V6, that was also rated at 140 in a very big heavy car, when he gently put his foot down the pull seemed so great (at that time!) it put butterflies in my stomach!! Great memories, changing times…..🙏👍😊

[@dougnolan5567]

Absolutely flipping brilliant..one of my dream motors.. thanks for reviewing..👍👍

[@vibingwithvinyl]

I had a 1980 Opel Manta 2-litre about 20 years ago. It had dual 40mm Dellortos and some work done to the head. I had it dynoed at about 140hp at the crank, 106hp at the wheels. It was a fun car to drive around.

[@fidelcastro9579]

These were gold. So rare now but rare even when I started my apprenticeship in 1994. Try and get a drive in a Chevette HSR, better still the 2.6 version running twin 50’s. Sublime automotive history.

[@madpadi]

Absolutely fantastic! The Janspeed exhaust , the typical exhaust of the era does make it sound fantastic Always suited to the performance Ford's of 70's/80"s 👍

[@lash9400]

Mk1 Escort has good dynamic bones so it’s no surprise that the Mexico’s, RS2000 and 1600 are epic drivers... loved this review

[@brianiswrong]

The best alloy wheel design ever.

[@timelwell7002]

I used to have an Escort Mark 2 (1976) - not a 2 litre, sadly - but it was a joy to drive. I'd have loved of these!

[@jameshamilton6096]

.As a kid I dreamed of a 1600RS, I worked 3 jobs Monday to Friday then a separate Sat & Sun job and an evening/ nighttime job and 3 years later I could just about afford a 1300e now I know it's not of an RS elk but it is still the most fun car I have ever owned. It even had a double go faster stripe..

[@jjharson7344]

I think I'm in love with that car...... gorgeous.

[@theodor12]

Sound is orgasmic and it looks incredible too. Love it!!

[@daviddickinson6346]

I had a mexico and an RS 2000 and they were the most fun i have ever had in a road car. I am tempted to buy one again now i am in my 50s but they are seriously expensive now. I wish i had kept one.

[@chrisflemington819]

A great Ford thanks for sharing it 🚗

[@AdamLeask]

Such a good looking car. Love a bit of classic Ford!

[@nickbitten6037]

Boy oh boy- happy days. My mum had a Mk1 1300 and i drove it a lot as a lad. Can even recall the reg number. Would love another but daft money now ( to me anyway).

[@CitizenRPG]

What a beautiful sound it makes

[@unenthusiast]

Possibly my favourite car.

[@s_s_s_cars]

And mine😂😂

[@amaj7313]

If I won the lottery and could only have 4 cars this would be one of them. Porsche 911 2.4s, Alpine A110 and Alpina B5 Touring are the others.

[@klasseact6663]

This was the opposite of "not wanting to meet your heros"👍👍 Hey Jay, imagine that car out on the Tail of the Dragon...its even "Dragon Green" and with those 4 large rallye lights a night pass could be made out there🐉🐲🐍

[@Bod8998]

Yes best thing you’ve done in time

[@Kennethah81]

The noice that thing makes! It´s absolutely wonderful!

[@watchfan6180]

That noise is a sound of the soul of a car. Today you hear loud fake pots and bangs. When I hear p and b it reminds me of the stupidity of the driver. Then again I drive a black Toyota 2018 Yaris with two tone alloys, 1.5L 110bhp.

[@Hazardous975]

God i hate fake pops and bangs, you literally cannot hear the engine in them cars 😂🤮

[@possibly8180]

Downright pointless unless your car has a turbo and a misfiring system lmao

[@daviddenley3512]

Good on nit Jay! As for the Cog Box, it's a Ford, they were the best in that period!

[@maciekthepole]

Get in! Close answer to the question posed last week....

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

My favorite car when I was a lad, many, many moons ago...

[@GCStalker]

Had Mk1 RS2000 SYR 855N. Great fun.

[@paullomas4620]

1st car was a 1300 mk1 Gear stick used to fall out when you changed gear sometimes. Was fun. Then got a m2 1600 sport Sideways everywhere I went. Was fun!

[@gregcpu]

Had 3 of them. Gear sticks falling out was a common issue but because whoever changed the clutch, removed the gearstick and reinstalled and crossed threaded the nylon nut. Happy days

[@mikedv23]

That's the car i learned to drive in. Tho ours was in white. Cant really remember but i think my dad had the fenders flared out to fit really wide wheels to cope with the mods done underhood. That thing really flew! My uncle had the mark 2 with the moded frotn end, the RS2000 in green. Loved that car too!

[@VINTTRO]

Great video, please more of the same. It’s the same focus we have and looking forward to sharing our cars.

[@johnnytenjobs]

Thanks for filming the tailpipe. I wondered where the noise was coming from.

[@ciaranburke3243]

Great review, cant not love it, sweet little car 👌

[@tonieveritt7045]

Wow wow what a beautiful rs2000 there aint many like that about what a car it is a beaut it is amazeing car well done to the owner its so sweet sounds lovey wow

[@angusmackay7281]

Modena Green. I had one just like that,. Wish I still had it.

[@SabotsLibres]

Don't know what for 'old Fords' you've driven but, certainly from Anglia 105E onwards, Ford boxes have almost always been absolute top notch for change action; there was almost nothing to beat them.

[@davidbates247]

Work of art RS

[@bonnscott]

Ah fond memories of my youth

[@1258-Eckhart]

Ford gearboxes attracted universally good reviews at the time, so I'm not sure about first gear being behind the next hill. My father had two Mexicos in succession and they were the bees knees. I was surprised to hear how similar your 2 litre Pinto engine sounded to the 1600 Kent engine, i.e. iconic. That snarl on the overrun, legendary.

[@TheJmebe]

After [almost] each successive video, I've fallen into the trap of saying '..that's my all time favourite car'.

[@t5jerry]

A right PROPER car.

[@johnbarry731]

A beautiful car. It’s interesting that that it is on a P when the last ones sold were in 1974. A friend of mine owned a Modena green mk1 RS2000 on a P reg. The reason it was on a P is that the first owner, who I used to work with bought it from the Ford dealer in Preston and asked them to store it for a year which they did. By the time it was registered it was later in 1975 and hence the P reg. The original owner of that car had it on a private plate, JRP1. It was in Guisborough, North Yorkshire when my friend had it 1984 and was given a P plate. I wonder if it’s the same car.

[@s_s_s_cars]

No not the same car. The first owner has been in touch with me. He purchased the car from a Ford RS dealer only Bristol . The car had remained in Bristol until I purchased it.

[@paulschofield985]

Totally awesome cars Mk1 Escorts, totally love them..

[@j4cko180]

Don't you just love a fast ford😍

[@markrhoden68]

I wouldn't care if it were terrible to drive, its just great, stunning car

[@ghn27]

Had a Blue RS2000 about 45 years ago and always regretted selling it when we had our first child as needed a 4 door. Brought back great memories.

[@PaulDoldenDetails]

Owned a four door 1300L RS or Mexico are still on my dream list 😍😍

[@JadeJuhasz-ln6kf]

Hey! It has 2 doors like it's supposed to. 4 doors a for old ladies and family men, of which I am neither. Round head lights and chrome bumpers are the only way to go. Fan from the 🇺🇸.

[@Mattious]

Absolutely stunning! I did a video on my friends track spec mk1 Mexico 👌🏻

[@Steven-p4j]

In OZ, we had a murderously fast Cortina in the 80s with a 4.1 Litre straight six, which is to say it vastly overpowered by anyone's measure, his was a very familiar engine to me, but only in the much larger range of Ford vehicles. What made Ford do this is any one's guess, but even in Ghia for was a proper hoon's car. On a much shorter wheelbase and width than it was intended for, it was quite a handful.

[@Steven-p4j]

I had a brief stint at driving a VW Beetle, an old one, but nevertheless very typical of the breed. That had the finest steering I had ever driven, before or since. Essentially the amount of feedback was tremendous and it drove like a Go-Kart. Very light but positive steering that felt as if it was mind controlled.

[@garrywitcomb2334]

Great looking Car,had a Mexico in Modona Green,around 1992,crackin

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

When I was a kid the guy down the road had one that looked almost identical apart from the colour which was blue on white. Each time I saw it he was polishing it and I always wondered if he ever actually drove it.

[@Retrobeemer]

Performance of modern cars is at a level you can’t enjoy safely on UK roads without risking a serious off, your licence or both. Classics like these though, are still just about perfect. Lightweight, rev happy 4 pot, rear drive and induction noise. What’s not to love?!

[@kevinsylvester770]

I had a Sebring Red RS2000 Mk1 Escort in 1986 , it was bog standard including steel RS wheels and had only covered 30,000m from new . Very sadly , I wrote it off in 1987 , never got over it !

[@JURASSICCOASTMODELLER]

Simply..... 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍!

[@tomeasterbrook9486]

I wish I’d bought a few of these when they were cheap bangers bought by boy racers & driven into the ground; that would’ve been a very wise investment. “Very small car” this was a small family car and the lack of seat belts in the back meant it was fine to sit 4 kids on the rear bench!!!

[@Pablo-sr2zx]

Lovely car if it was mine I'd definitely change the colour on it

[@mick0846]

It would be interesting to see what a stock rs is like to drive by comparison?

[@andrewwalsh5366]

What a car

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

Hey Jay Emm you look and sound happier than driving that 1990 Quattro 20V