Description
Ford Escort RS2000 F1 Edition | 1996
Highlights:
– 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, petrol, 5-speed manual transmission, 150000 km
– Full restoration completed in 2023 from a bare shell, with invoices documenting the process
– Finished in original Lugano Blue with a full set of new OEM RS badges
– ST coilover suspension with TÜV certificate and 17-inch Ford Softline wheels, diamond-cut with new powdercoat
– Rare F1 Edition, one of 500 built to mark the Ford-Sauber Formula 1 tie-in with Heinz-Harald Frentzen, with signed certificate, original price list and brochure
The seller offers for sale this 1996 Ford Escort RS2000 F1 Edition, powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Finished in the model’s signature Lugano Blue metallic paint, this example was imported from Germany in 2020; the German papers show six previous owners. The car wears a complete set of new OEM RS badges and sits on ST coilover suspension, documented with a TÜV certificate, with 17-inch Ford Softline wheels finished in a fresh diamond-cut powdercoat to match the diamond-cut RS badges and wheel caps. It comes with a matching, brand-new OEM set of keys and locks.
The vehicle underwent a full restoration in 2023, carried out from a bare shell. The bodywork received new paint in the original Lugano Blue, while the underside was finished in three stages: a cold zinc layer, an epoxy primer and a period-correct underside coating, followed by a wax protective layer, with the hollow body sections also treated with wax. The engine was fully rebuilt at standard size, all zinc-plated parts were cleaned and regalvanised, aluminium components were aquablasted, and iron parts, including the subframe, driveshafts and knuckles, were powdercoated. The restoration is backed by a substantial file of invoices covering the work and the new OEM parts fitted throughout.
The Escort RS2000 F1 Edition was a limited run of 500 examples, offered mainly to the German market and based on the three-door RS2000 hatchback. It was launched to mark Ford’s technical tie-in with the Sauber Formula 1 team, whose lead driver for the 1996 season, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, was closely associated with the model. The F1 Edition is distinguished by its own badging and seat trim, and this example is accompanied by a certificate signed by Frentzen, together with the original price list and sales brochure for the edition, giving it a documented and collectible identity beyond the standard RS2000.
Under the bonnet, the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Zetec engine drives the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox, giving the RS2000 a lighter and more agile character than its turbocharged Cosworth sibling while still carrying the RS badge’s sporting intent. The uprated coilover suspension sharpens the car’s responses further, and the diamond-cut Softline wheels underline its identity as the flagship of the naturally aspirated Escort range. Combined with its extensive, invoice-documented restoration and its rare F1 Edition provenance, this Escort RS2000 represents a thoroughly prepared example of one of Ford’s most collectible 1990s hot hatches.
Condition of the bodywork & paint
4 — Very Good. Clean with minimal wear; might need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts.
Condition of the interior
4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.
Technical condition
4 — Very Good. Mechanically solid, with potential for minor servicing.
Overall condition
4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.
This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.
