Some cars attract attention long before they reach the auctioneer. Others come alive when the bidding starts. At Anglia Car Auctions’ November 2026 sale, one remarkable Mk2 Ford Escort RS2000 managed both.
Finished in vivid BMW Signal Green, this 1980 Escort was impossible to overlook. Crowds gathered around it throughout the weekend, admiring a car that looked very different from the RS2000s that left Ford’s showrooms more than four decades ago.
But the real spectacle was still to come.
When the Escort finally entered the auction hall, the bidding developed into an extraordinary contest between buyers in the room and an equally determined bidder online. By the closing stages, the crowd had become so involved that every fresh internet bid prompted an audible groan.
We were there to capture the whole remarkable atmosphere.
The Mk2 Escort RS2000 has long enjoyed a special place among Fast Ford enthusiasts. Its distinctive polyurethane nose, sporting character and connection with Ford’s hugely successful Escort range have made it one of the most recognisable performance Fords of the 1970s.
And while originality is important to many collectors, this particular example took a different approach.
According to the Anglia Car Auctions catalogue, the car underwent a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration between 2020 and 2024, including a dramatic change from its previous black paintwork to BMW Signal Green.
It certainly wasn’t a subtle choice, but the finished car had an undeniable presence.
Under the bonnet was an upgraded 2.1-litre Pinto engine, breathing through twin Weber 44 carburettors, with an RS air box and a high-performance exhaust system.
The mechanical work went considerably further. The specification included a Quaife limited-slip differential, a rebuilt gearbox with a longer first-gear ratio, a Gartrac pedal box, upgraded front brakes and a rear disc-brake conversion.
The vendor described the bodyshell as exceptionally straight, while the accompanying history file included maintenance invoices and more recent receipts relating to the restoration work.
The car was believed to have originated in Germany before being registered in the UK in September 1987. Its odometer displayed 36,316 miles, and it was offered with an advisory-free MoT running until September 2027.
This was clearly an RS2000 built to be enjoyed rather than preserved in its original factory specification.
Anglia Car Auctions placed a pre-sale estimate of £27,000 to £32,000 on the Escort.
That was a substantial sum, although the restoration, mechanical specification and striking appearance gave prospective buyers plenty to consider.
Throughout the viewing period, the car attracted considerable attention. Every time we passed it, there seemed to be somebody admiring it or discussing its merits.
Of course, interest on the auction floor doesn’t always translate into determined bidding.
Would the Escort’s unconventional colour and modified specification appeal to buyers willing to spend serious money? Or would its departure from factory originality limit the bidding?
We were about to find out.
When the RS2000 came under the hammer, it quickly became apparent that this wasn’t going to be an ordinary sale.
Bidding developed between the room and the internet, with the contest attracting increasing attention from the surrounding crowd.
One early bidder in the hall eventually walked away. But another remained determined, repeatedly raising his hand as the internet bidder continued to respond.
It was fascinating to watch.
The room appeared to be firmly behind its own bidder. Every time he raised his hand, there was renewed hope that the contest might finally be over.
Then another internet bid would arrive.
And the groans would begin again.
At one point, we remarked in our commentary that the reserve must surely be close to being met. Almost immediately, auctioneer David announced that the car was ‘on sale’.
That meant the reserve had been reached and the Escort was now going to sell.
But the bidding was far from finished.
As the contest continued, David reduced the bidding increments, first to £250 and eventually to £100, giving both sides further opportunities to secure the car.
The atmosphere was extraordinary. There was genuine tension in the room, and the audience had become almost as invested in the outcome as the bidders themselves.
We captured the unfolding battle on camera, including the reactions of the people watching and the determined bidder continuing to raise his hand.
Rather than simply reading the result, it’s worth experiencing this one for yourself.
Watch our original auction coverage below to see the entire contest unfold.
Despite the support of the auction room, it was the internet bidder who eventually emerged victorious.
The hammer fell at £34,400, taking the final price to £37,152 including the buyer’s premium.
That put the hammer price £2,400 above the upper end of the pre-sale estimate.
It was a strong result for a modified Mk2 Escort RS2000, particularly one finished in such an individual colour.
But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the sale was the way the car brought together different kinds of enthusiasm.
For some, an RS2000 is at its most desirable when restored to its original factory specification. For others, a beautifully presented car with carefully chosen mechanical upgrades is exactly what they’re looking for.
This Escort was very much in the second category, and its eventual buyer was clearly prepared to compete for it.
Classic car auction results are often reduced to a few numbers: the estimate, the hammer price and the final amount paid.
Those figures matter, particularly when documenting the changing market for cars such as the Mk2 Escort RS2000.
But they don’t tell the whole story.
They don’t convey the atmosphere of a crowded auction hall, the frustration when a rival bidder refuses to give up, or the moment an auctioneer changes the increments to keep a contest moving.
And they certainly don’t capture the collective groan of a room full of enthusiasts willing one bidder to succeed.
That’s why we enjoy documenting these sales as they happen.
This remarkable green Escort was already one of the standout cars of the weekend. Its extraordinary bidding battle made it one of the most memorable auctions we’ve filmed.
Would you have preferred this RS2000 in its original black, or does Signal Green make it something special?
The 1980 Ford Escort RS2000 was offered as Lot 635 at Anglia Car Auctions’ 7–8 November 2026 sale in King’s Lynn. Vehicle information is drawn from the auction catalogue. Auction footage and commentary by UK Barn Finds, incorporating brief excerpts from Anglia Car Auctions’ official livestream.
Stay updated with the latest barn finds, auction news, and classic car adventures in our 'News & Waffle' section. Dive into rare discoveries, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert insights into the world of classic cars. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply intrigued by the tales behind these treasures, this is your hub for all things classic and captivating.
View All
Think of all the extraordinary cars produced over the last sixty years. Ferraris, Porsches, Jaguars and countless other machines that have become icons of the motoring world. Yet the car that has outsold them all is something rather less exotic. The Toyota Corolla. First introduced in 1966, the Corolla celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, […]
You know you’re watching a serious collector-car auction when a 1985 Audi Sport quattro sells for nearly £640,000 – and still only manages ninth place in the auction house’s top ten results. That was the extraordinary situation at Broad Arrow Auctions’ Zürich sale on 7 November 2026, where some of the world’s most desirable collector […]
Four Ford Sierras, two RS Cosworths and four very different auction stories. From a low-mileage Sapphire to a three-door Cosworth that had spent more than a decade off the road, our latest How Much?! Classics compilation asks a simple question: are Fast Fords still commanding big money? The answer isn’t necessarily as straightforward as ...
