How many Mk2 Escort RS1800 were made?
The commonly cited figure is 5,000 road-legal Mk2 Escort RS1800 units, produced to satisfy Group 4 rally homologation rules in the 1970s. This number remains the standard reference for historians and collectors.
The Mk2 Escort RS1800 was Ford’s rally-focused variant of the Escort Mk2, developed during the mid- to late-1970s to compete in Group 4 rally championships. The production total is tied to homologation requirements, and debates among enthusiasts occasionally surface about small variations in records or regional counts.
What is the Mk2 Escort RS1800?
The RS1800 designation refers to a 2.0-liter Ford engine tuned for higher performance, paired with suspension and braking upgrades and distinctive styling cues. While sharing much with the standard Mk2 Escort, the RS1800 was purpose-built to satisfy rally homologation requirements and to serve as the basis for Ford’s works rally program.
Production numbers
To understand the figure, it helps to know how Group 4 homologation operated in that era: manufacturers typically had to build a minimum number of road-going cars to qualify their competition cars for rallying. In the case of the Mk2 Escort RS1800, Ford’s production aligned with this minimum threshold.
- Total road-legal Mk2 Escort RS1800 units: 5,000
- Rally-specific vehicles: most were created by modifying production RS1800s; the tally is counted within the 5,000 threshold rather than as a separate, published figure
- Production period: during the mid- to late 1970s, with regional markets primarily in Europe and the UK
In summary, the 5,000-unit figure is the standard reference used by automotive historians and registries. Some sources acknowledge minor discrepancies due to late orders, regional variances, or documentation gaps, but 5,000 remains the accepted benchmark.
Why this number matters for collectors
Because the RS1800 Mk2’s value among classic Ford enthusiasts hinges partly on its rarity and rally heritage, the 5,000-unit benchmark is frequently cited in auctions, registries, and restoration guides as a key indicator of rarity and historical significance.
Context for enthusiasts and historians
Market estimates, historical archives, and owner registries converge on the idea that Ford produced around 5,000 Mk2 Escort RS1800s to satisfy homologation requirements. While precise archival records can vary by source, the consensus has long favored the 5,000 figure as the authoritative baseline for this model.
Summary
