Ford fans have the chance to get their hands on a very rare and collectible 1970s Escort, steeped in heritage.
Up for auction next month is a 1976 Escort MkII RS2000 with the registration number ‘NUF 6I7P’, finished in a unique bronze paint scheme with white and gold stripes – the only right-hand drive version ever built with an automatic gearbox. But that’s not what makes it special…
It is distinguished from any other Escort model produced because it was custom-built for (and first registered to) Henry Ford II so that the car company boss could travel around Europe and the UK in the 1970s.
Having fallen off the radar for some 20 years before being snapped up by a collector, it is now predicted to sell for a staggering sum when the hammer falls at auction in the UK on August 24.
A Ford Escort like no other: this 1976 ‘Bronze Roman’ RS2000 not only has a unique colour scheme (with a cream leather interior), but is the only UK-spec version with an automatic gearbox.
For a long time, the “one-of-a-kind” ex-Henry Ford II Escort RS2000 was believed to have disappeared.
Although experts say the car had been on display at Ford’s heritage center for several years, it was hidden away for nearly two decades.
However, the one-off engine, finished in ‘Roman Bronze’ metallic paint with a cream leather interior, has resurfaced and is being offered to the highest bidder at auction in the UK.
It is expected to sell for between £50,000 and £60,000, according to auction house Iconic Auctioneers.
Henry Ford II, sometimes known as “Hank the Deuce”, was the eldest grandson of Henry Ford, the founder of the American automobile giant.
Ford II, who led the Ford Motor Company for 34 years from 1945 to 1979, is generally credited with reviving the company’s fortunes.
This 1976 Escort RS2000 was built to order for Ford’s chairman at the time, and the company’s special vehicles division adapted it to his request to remove the manual gearshift and replace it with an automatic transmission. It is up for auction in the UK in August, offering a rare opportunity for Fast Ford collectors.
Henry Ford II (pictured), sometimes known as “Hank the Deuce”, was the eldest grandson of Henry Ford, the founder of the American automobile giant. Ford II, who headed the Ford Motor Company for 34 years between 1945 and 1979, is generally credited with reviving the company’s fortunes.
During his tenure as president, Henry Ford II modernized Ford as a company and introduced many successful models, including the Thunderbird and even the Mustang. This image was taken on April 17, 1964, during the official presentation of the new Mustang.
Following his father’s unexpected death in 1943, he was relieved of naval service to assume the role of vice president of Ford.
After a two-year intensive course in industrial management, he took over the presidency of the ailing company in 1945.
He quickly set about modernizing the company and introduced many successful models, including the Mustang and the Thunderbird.
By the mid-1950s, Ford II had restored Ford Motor Company to financial health and had become part of the foundation of the modern auto-industrial era.
As president of Ford of Europe, he began spending more and more time in Britain and in 1974 decided to buy property there.
Married to his second wife, Maria Cristina Vettore, they fell in love and bought Turville Grange, a stunning Grade II listed property in Buckinghamshire.
The estate was the former home of Jackie Kennedy’s younger sister, Lee Radziwill, who lived on the property with her European husband, HSH Prince Stanislas Radziwill in the 1960s.
While living in Turville, Ford II often had to make longer trips to visit factories and attend meetings around the country.
To do this, he borrowed cars from the local Ford dealer or was picked up by a chauffeur.
However, wanting more independence and the ability to go into town on his own from time to time, Ford II contacted his good friend and Vice President of Ford of Europe, Walter Hayes, and asked him to find him “something special, a little unusual” to use as his private engine.
His only request was for an automatic transmission, even though he was more than capable of using a manual gearbox.
As chairman of Ford of Europe, he spent more and more time in Britain and in 1974 decided to buy property in the UK. Henry Ford II pictured in 1976 with a Fiesta S
Needing his own car while living in Buckinghamshire, Ford II contacted Ford of Europe vice president Walter Hayes and asked him to find him “something special, a bit unusual” to use as his private vehicle. His only request was that it have an automatic transmission.
The model with the registration number ‘NUF 6I7P’ is the only British-spec Escort RS2000 MkII to carry this paintwork and automatic transmission. It has covered just 44,500 miles, and has been on display at Ford’s heritage centre and hidden away for nearly two decades. In August, it will go to auction and sell for a price expected to be in the region of £50,000-£60,000 – well above the average value.
The then-new Ford RS2000, powered by a 2.0-litre Pinto four-cylinder engine, fit the “something special” standard perfectly, with its remarkable power and distinctive looks, especially the “droopy nose” polyurethane nose.
However, it was not available with an automatic gearbox in the UK.
After some thought, Walter decided to task Ford’s special vehicles team with creating a one-off, custom RS2000 for the company boss – after all, he was one of the most influential people in Ford’s history.
The car was duly built with an automatic transmission, a luxuriously upholstered leather interior with deep carpeting, and a unique paint job not available to Ford customers.
It was registered to Henry Ford II for his exclusive use on June 8, 1976 and bears the same license plate it retains today.
The odometer shows that it has traveled 44,495 miles in its 48-year history.
The Ford II name in the registration book is expected to generate a lot of added value for this particular fast Ford from the 1970s.
Hagerty UK, which tracks classic car sales prices, says a 1976 Escort RS2000 in “excellent” condition is today valued at £34,100, while one that’s immaculate with low mileage is worth up to £48,100.
If it reaches its highest guide price, it will eclipse the average retail value by more than £10,000.
“We are delighted to be able to offer this unique RS2000 once enjoyed by one of the most influential figures in the history of the automotive industry,” the auction house said.
Gary Dunne of Iconic Auctions added: “Owning a Ford that was Henry Ford II’s personal car while he was living in the UK is like living in history. Plus, it’s such a unique vehicle that it adds to its collectability and value.”
The car will go on sale at the Silverstone Festival on August 24. along with four sporty Focus RS hatchbacks from three generations from the same supplier’s collection.
A big Ford fan, he was said to be “insane” on acquiring the Escort to add to his garage due to its wonderful history.
Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. This helps us fund This Is Money and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationships to affect our editorial independence.
