One of the most intriguing chapters in the history of Ford’s celebrated rally-bred Escort, this Diamond White Mk2 RS1800, registration PHU 985R (Formerly ‘DZP700’ in Ireland), boasts fascinating Irish provenance, a distinctive ownership history and a compelling connection to the homologation specials that helped establish Ford’s competition pedigree.
This particular RS1800 was first registered on 1st October 1976 and is understood to be the only example supplied new by Ford and registered in the Republic of Ireland.

Specially ordered through Friel’s Garage of Creeslough, County Donegal, it was originally registered DZP 700, the registration by which it became known during its time in Ireland.

Its unusual beginnings were documented in a feature published in Rallye News in January/February 2015, which recounted the car’s early history and subsequent return to the UK.
The Escort RS1800 was created to satisfy international motorsport homologation requirements, with Ford developing the mo...