Hi, just joined up

[Ben Allen]

Hi,
Just signed up here today, I got directed here by one of your members! So thought I'd introduce myself and what will hopefully be my mk2 RS2000
My name's Ben (obviously) and I currently own a '79 Mini Clubman 1275GT (fully restored and for sale if anyones interested ) and a '92 205 GTi 1.9. I've been a Pug man since I started to drive, but always had a soft spot for Classic Fords. Now I have the chance to get one!

I went to visit my uncle a while ago, and remembered on a previous visit when I was about 15/16 I saw an old white mk2 escort sat in a barn there. I didn't take much notice at the time - just thought 'cool' and left it.
This time I went I thought I'd take my digital camera and see if it was still there

I hunted down the aforementioned barn, and the car. It turned out to be a Mk2 RS2000 Custom. It's been sat there for about 7 years in this barn! Needless to say my jaw dropped to the floor
It turned out that my cousin had bought it years ago, driven it around a bit then parked it up there in the barn and left it (they have about 50+ classic cars in various outbuildings and sheds so an old 'Scort isn't exactly a high priority to them)

It seems to be pretty solid, some surface rust on panel edges that'd be sanded down, although my cousin tells me the strut tops are rotton - I spoke to Retro Ford on the phone and they say that they can weld in new panels!

I'm hopefully going to buy it if i can get my Mini sold on. He said I could have it cheap, and it comes with some spares such as nosecones etc.

I got some pics aswell:




Tons more pics I took of it located here: http://ben.loaded.net/gallery/view_a...=rs2000&page=1

So there's my introduction. What do you people reckon? Worth getting?

RS2000 barn finds don't come along every day!!

I've never actually been out in a Mk2 Escort before. Anyone in the local area care to give me a passenger ride in one? I'd really appreciate that!

[Chesney]

welcome to the site mate. If u want to come up the A1 to grantham u can have a spin in mine no problem. If it's all there and the monies right i'd buy it,, but be prepared these restorations ALWAYS turn out to be bigger than we expected!!!

Jason.

[Ben Allen]

Hi, I may just well do that! The RS is currently housed in that direction anyway :bom:

Edit: My Clubman restoration didn't really stick to what I wanted. Ended up spending well in excess of £2000 on a car that originally cost me £300. Luckily I had it valued at £2.5k now. I'm sure the RS will be a similar story!

[Kel]

Hi Ben,

Saw your post on the RSOC board

[Frosticles]

Looks an interesting proposition. If the money's right then go for it. Welcome by the way.

[GAZ W]

Hi and welcome ben ..get the escort and lets have another on the road

[wiggyrs]

Hi Ben
Go for it you know you want to

[Robb]

Hello Ben

Good luck with the Rs

[SIGYELLOW]

Excellent story that - where in Northants are you, I'm not far from Rushden over near the Beds/Northants border. Car off the road for the winter though I'm afraid, so can't offer you a sample of a MK2 RS.

[lee bishop]

for gods sake buy the bloody car sharpish, before your cousin realises what they have got! hopefully it wont cost silly amounts to sort out, i do hate it when any car gets abandoned though, i hope you have caught it before its too late!

[Ben Allen]

My cousin knows what he's got. But when it comes up against about 3 or 4 TVRs he has (older ones), MGs, Jensens Scimiters and all the other classics they have down there it doesn't really cut the mustard in their opinion. Of course I think otherwise!

Pic of his summer weekend car (life's not fair is it?)


I'm thankful it's undercover anyway, if it had been left outside for about 7 years I think it'd be totally buggered but as it stands it looks pretty good. I'm defs going to have further enquiries once my Mini has gone - I don't think he thought I was serious when I said I'd buy it. They thought it'd need a new shell due to the strut tops but replacement panels are available so it's all good. I didn't even think the strut tops looked like they were bad. Anyone care to look at the engine bay photos and see if they agree?
I did ask about it when I found it the first time as I'd just started restoring cars then. He wouldn't sell it at that time but he was more than willing to let it go last time I asked!

Sig, I live in Middleton, between Market Harborough and Corby (hense why Retro Ford is pretty local to me), but I spend most of my time in Kettering, when I'm not down in Southampton at Uni.
We'll have to meet up some time. I'd love to have a look at your car even if it's garaged or whatever. Mk2s are great!
Any pics of it at all?

I do look forward to buying this car (hopefully!). I'm going to have so much fun washing it for the first time!!!

[Dave1800BDA]

Welcome there Ben, Southampton, now theres a nice place.

[RS2000&MEXICO]

go for it ben...

[martin c]

Hi ben , Go for it mate - hopfully you can save another one

[SIGYELLOW]

Okey dokey mate - we'll meet up sometime, I'm not far from you actually if your East Northants. I'm in a small village near Raunds (well the car is anyway in my old man's garage). I work away much of the time and am not around much I have to say, but your most welcome to come round and see the Mex sometime next year mate!