Australian Cars Issue 50

COLLECT ALL THE LEGENDARY AUSTRALIAN CLASSIC CARS

Immerse yourself in the thrilling history of international performance motoring with the Ford Escort RS2000, a rare and uniquely Australian expression of one of the world's great rally cars from 1979. Few small cars in history have carried as much motorsport glory as the Mk II Escort — and the Australian-built RS2000 brought that pedigree straight to the streets of Sydney and beyond.

The Mk II Escort RS2000 was introduced locally in 1978 as a two-litre two-door, followed by a supplementary, unique-to-Australia four-door version a year later — and as part of Ford's drive to compete in the small-car segment, the Australian RS2000 was assembled at Ford's Homebush plant in New South Wales. The global credentials behind the badge were formidable: in 1979, Ford works drivers Björn Waldegård and Hannu Mikkola finished first and second in the World Driver's Championship, and Ford claimed the Constructor's Championship — the same year Mikkola and Hertz won the Lombard RAC Rally, making it eight successive victories for the Ford Escort at that event. The Australian version carried its own distinctive character: the iconic droop-snoot front grille, rear spoiler, four-spoke RS alloy wheels, and RS exterior graphics were all retained, while the car was offered in both two- and four-door body styles — with an estimated 880 of the approximately 2,400 cars built at Homebush being the four-door variant, unique to Australia. The 70 kW 2.0-litre engine powered the RS2000 to a top speed of 168 km/h, with a 0–100 km/h time of 11.5 seconds and the standing quarter mile in 17.9 seconds — lively, rewarding, and entirely at home on a twisty back road. Front suspension featured McPherson struts with rack-and-pinion steering and 247mm solid front disc brakes, underpinning the sporting intent that made the RS2000 so desirable.

This precise 1:43 scale replica captures the very essence of the legendary Ford Escort RS2000 — its purposeful droop-snoot stance, RS alloy wheels, and the unmistakable character of a rally-bred car made for Australian roads.

The Ford Escort RS2000 is meticulously reproduced in high-quality die-cast metal, with details faithful to the original that capture its signature droop-snoot nose, RS graphics, rear spoiler, and four-spoke alloy wheels. Rubber tires and swiveling wheels add a touch of realism to this iconic model.

Each piece comes accompanied by a captivating magazine filled with articles from that era, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of Australian automotive, sourced from the archives of the renowned publication Wheels.

Features:

• Faithfully reproduced model at 1:43 scale
• High-quality die-cast metal for exceptional durability
• Precise detailing for maximum authenticity — including the signature RS2000 droop-snoot front end, RS alloy wheels, rear spoiler, and RS exterior graphics
• Rubber tires and swiveling wheels for heightened realism

Relive the golden era of rally-bred performance motoring with this iconic model. Add the Ford Escort RS2000 to your Australian Cars collection today!