Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. It was back in 1970 that Ford introduced their Rally Sport models - the RS range. Originally designed as a way of building limited numbers of homologation specials for serious competition use, it soon grew into a major marketing opportunity and one that Ford grabbed with both hands. By 1976, when the RS2000 Mk2 was launched, the term RS had grown to mean something a bit special.
In late 1978, the 'Custom Pack' became an option and included the following; 'Fishnet' Recaro seats, full door cards, clock and pod centre console, 6J x 13" alloys, boot carpet, remote drivers door mirror and the back panel around the rear lights was painted black.
The key word to describe this car is originality. It still retains all the original body panels and glass and has been looked after extraordinarily well throughout its life. Although it has been cherished by a number of aficionados with an eye for originality, astonishingly it still shows as only 'One former keeper'. Our respected Ford collector vendor acquired the car back in 2021 and has professionally housed it ever since within his Collection and unregistered to him. Showing just 28, 425 miles from new, a figure that is corroborated by the car’s MOT history, it drives really well today and is surely one of the best unrestored examples available. When supplied new to Breeze of Amble, Morpeth on 6th June 1980, the owner was the Managing Director of a Ford dealership and he immediately treated the car to an application of Dinitrol, a type of Waxoyl protection, still visible today and which has definitely helped protect the bodywork from any rust or corrosion.
The original Custom-spec included some dealer-fitted options when new:
Rear Ford mud flaps
Front Ford carpet mats
Glass sunroof
Front wheel-arch liners
‘Group 1’ vented discs, calipers and compatible brake compensating valve
Rear seatbelts
Janspeed stainless-steel exhaust and manifold
The car shines in all the right areas - the spare wheel and tyre are original and unused, as are the ashtray and cigar lighter and one key fits all the locks as when new. Coming to the sale with a fresh MOT until October 2025 and a good history file, this is a great opportunity to own a splendidly original and unmolested example of the rarer Custom version of a true Ford 1980s icon.