AN ultra-rare MK1 Ford Escort left to rot for 16-years has been restored to its former glory,
Stuart Jones was heading to an off licence in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, when he spotted the 1973 RS2000 rusting away in a back garden.
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He didn’t think much of it but returned a week later and learned it was an engine-less project that was never completed.
The mechanic told the Down at the barns YouTube channel: “It was just left for dead.
“He [owner] said you’re never going to restore that.”
Stuart, who worked at a Ford factory in nearby Aveley, asked his manager if he could use company equipment to bring the RS2000 back to life.
Over the course of two years and a “hell of a lot of work”, he re-manufactured the entire vehicle, a first for the AVO factory.
During the restoration it turned out the car was actually intended for the Swedish market.
This was obvious in its unique German export seats and a bigger steering wheel.
Another novelty were twin lights that lit up the registration plate, something not found on UK-bound models at the time.
It was also equipped with hyper-modern heated seats which it sadly no longer has.
Stuart’s RS2000 can “easily” reach 100mph thanks to its Mk3 Cortina engine.
Though the petrol head admits he’s only hit 70mph in his stunning restoration.
But it’s not always been a smooth ride.
He said: “You’re incredibly low to the floor, this has got bilstein suspension… which you can feel every lump and bump in the road.”
The mechanic said he loves the Mk3 as they’re small and nimble, adding: “It’s basically a big engine in a small car that instantly gets noticed.”
And while the instantly recognisable blue and white colour often tricks former owners into thinking they owned the same car, they probably only owned a standard MK1.
Stuart explained: “I always wanted one of these but could never afford one.
“When this one came out, it needed a hell of a lot of work, but I brought it.”
Ford Escorts were first made in Liverpool’s Halewood plant in 1967.
The treasured vehicles are often seen as investment with many selling for over £25,000 at auction.
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