Identifying a Genuine RS1800

Hi,

I need help identifying a possible RS1800

I know they were built from Mexico shells so will have all the RS Type 49 strengthening plates etc
The first few digits of the chassis number are BBAT which matches up with what would be expected from an RS1800
It is registered as a Ford Escort Popular Plus 1800cc in Northern Ireland with a registration date of September 1979 (A bit too new for the Chassis number)
Roll top seats, RS Dash,
Bolt in Roll Cage
English axle with LSD
Fiber glass arches
Quick Rack with 4 pot calipers on the front and disks at the rear also
Shell is rotten and there is no engine
Bulkhead has been modified for a more modern engine

I have not seen the car in person yet but want to do as much research as possible first.

Is there a register of all cars that were registered genuine RS1800 that I could get hold of?

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards
Tom

I'm not sure but I would think it should say RS1800 on the logbook, rather than popular plus 1800cc.

Try asking on the RS1800 page on Face Book ,,some knowlegable chaps on there

Thanks for the replies. I have a vague recollection that someone once told me that either some RS cars or some RS1800 cars were registered as Popular plus but I cant find anything about that using Google. I will have a search on Facebook and ask the question there to see if I get any more information.

Is there any other reason would a MK2 escort be registered as having an engine size of 1800CC from new except that it was and RS1800?

Rgds
Tom

the man you need to speak to is Dave Robinson, you can find him via the rs owners club https://www.rsownersclub.co.uk/the-registrars/

Thanks Graham,
I will get in contact with him today

Regards
Tom

Dave Robinson died a couple of months ago.

im not sure on rs1800's but the rs1600 had a unique position for the speedo cable through the bulkhead. it was to the side of the heater bubble above the shelf thing rather than below it.

Rallye sport escort forum would be the best place to ask ,very knowledgeable guys on there

Thanks for all the help so far.

After doing some more research, it looks like a clone with a colour change in 1998 from beige to diamond white. However no engine change is recorded and it is down as and 1800 CC which is unusual.

There is no engine in the car but the engine number associated with it is 0SMM6015AA I have tried to find some info regarding this number but nothing showing up so far.

Sorry to hear about Dave Robinson. I will try the rally sport escort form and see what shows up

Rgds
Tom

Unless it all comes with extensive documentation that it is a RS1800 you should treat it as a clone.
Proper engine cc for the Mk2 RS1800 is 1834 cc.
Are you sure about the engine number?

V5 docs back then could have allsorts on them. Harriers were listed as 1600 sport's, I had a fiesta supersport that was listed as a 1300s and i got the dvla to change it to supersport (as my mates had that on his docs) So whether it would have rs1800 on only experts could tell you on that.

Both the Mk2 RS2000's that I have had said Escort RS and then 1993cc and I believe the RS1800 is the same but 1834cc. Not quite sure what a Mexico says but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't say Mexicio just Escort RS as my Mk1 Mexico was logged at that and 1601cc.

rs1800 was built from mk2 mex shell

Everything so far says that this is not an original shell. Wrong colour (Beige changed to diamond white in 1999), wrong year 1979 and Popular plus on log book, 1800cc on log book rather than 1834cc. I cant find anything regarding the engine number so that seems to be a dead end also. The bulkhead was modified at some time to fit a red top Vauxhall engine so any chance of identifying an alternative path for an accelerator cable is gone.


Anyhow the shell is rotten so the only value is in the parts that are on it.

Rgds
Tom

a RS1800 would be a dream,