‘One-off’ Ford Escort RS2000 built for Henry Ford II heads to auction

• Mk2 Escort RS2000 is a collectable classic but this one is particularly special
• It’s the only UK version finished in ‘Bronze Roman’ paint with an auto gearbox
• It was first registered to Henry Ford II – the car company’s boss from 1945-1979

Fast Ford fanatics have a chance to get their hands on a very unique and collectable 1970s Escort steeped in heritage.

Heading to the auction block next month, registration ‘NUF 6I7P’ is a 1976 Escort MkII RS2000 finished in a unique bronze paint with white and gold pinstripes and the only version ever produced in right hand drive with an automatic gearbox. But that’s not what makes it special…

It stands alone from any other Escort produce because it was bespoke built for – and first registered to – Henry Ford II so that the car company boss could tour Europe and the UK in the seventies.

Having fallen off the radar for around 20 years before being snapped up by a collector, it is now predicted to sell for a staggering sum when the hammer drops at a UK auction on 24 August.

The ‘one of one’ ex-Henry Ford II Escort RS2000 was long believed to have disappeared.

While experts say it had previously been displayed at Ford’s heritage centre for a number of years, the car was in hiding for almost two decades.

However, the unique motor – finished in ‘Roman Bronze’ metallic paint with a cream leather interior – has resurfaced and is being offered to the highest bidder at a UK sale.

It is expected to sell for a price in the region of £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 US car giant.

Head of Ford Motor Company for 34 years between 1945 and 1979, Ford II is generally credited with reviving the firm’s fortunes.

Following the unexpected death of his father in 1943, he was released from Naval duty to take over as Ford Vice President.

After a two-year crash course in industrial management, he succeeded to the Presidency of the ailing company in 1945.

He promptly set about modernising the company, introducing many successful models, including the Mustang and Thunderbird.

By the mid-1950s, Ford II had restored Ford Motor Company to rude financial health, becoming part of the bedrock of the modern auto‐industrial age.

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With his Presidency over Ford of Europe, he found himself spending increasing amounts of time in Britain and, in 1974, decided to buy a property in the UK.

Married to his second wife, Maria Cristina Vettore, they fell in love with and bought Turville Grange, a stunning Grade II listed property in Buckinghamshire.

The estate was the former home of the younger sister of Jackie Kennedy, Lee Radziwill, who lived at the property with her European husband, HSH Prince Stanislas Radziwill in the 1960s.

Whilst living at Turville, Ford II was often required to make longer trips for factory visits and meetings across the country.

To do so, he would borrow cars from the local Ford dealer or would be collected by a chauffeur.

However, wanting for more independence and to be able to pop into the village occasionally on his own, Ford II contacted his good friend and Vice President of Ford of Europe, Walter Hayes, and asked him to find him ‘something special, a bit unusual’ to run as his private motor.

His only request was that it had an automatic transmission – despite the fact he was more than capable of using a manual gearbox.

Ford’s then new RS2000 – powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Pinto engine – fit the bill as ‘something special’, with its notable power output and distinctive looks, specifically the ‘droop snoot’ polyurethane nose.

However, it wasn’t available with an automatic gearbox in the UK.

After some thought, Walter decided to instruct Ford’s special vehicles team to create a bespoke, one-off, RS2000 for the company boss – after all, he was one of the most influential people in the history of Ford.

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The car was duly built with an automatic ‘box, luxuriously trimmed leather interior with deep carpets, and a unique paint not available to Ford customers.

It was registered to Henry Ford II for his sole use on 8 June 1976 featuring the same number plate it retains today.

The odometer shows it has covered 44,495 miles in its 48-year history.

Ford II’s name on the logbook is predicted to drive a big premium for this particular seventies Fast Ford.

Hagerty UK, which tracks sale prices of classic cars, says a 1976 Escort RS2000 in ‘excellent’ condition today is valued at £34,100, while one that’s pristine with low mileage is worth up to £48,100.

If it goes for its higher guide price, it will eclipse the average sale value by more than £10,000.

‘We are delighted to be able to offer this unique RS2000 that was once enjoyed by one of the most influential figures in the history of the automotive industry,’ the auction house said.

Gary Dunne from Iconic Auctions added: ‘To have a Ford that was the personal car of Henry Ford II while living in the UK is driving living history. This is also such a one off vehicle that it just adds to its potential collectability and value.’

The car will be sold at the Silverstone Festival on 24 August along with four Focus RS hot hatches across three generations from the same vendor’s collection.

A huge Ford aficionado, he was said to be ‘hell bent’ on acquiring the Escort to add to his garage due to its wonderful history.

Back in 2021, Henry Ford II’s bespoke Ford Capri 2.8i injection – unique also for being equipped with an automatic gearbox by Ford’s SVE department – went under the hammer in a seven-day online auction and sold for £25,250.