Tony Smith
Well-Known Member
Did they seriously do that pink piece of shite? Remember the BMW, was pretty cool at the time.
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Marinemackay2003
Active Member
If ever an RS2000 was to divide opinion, this was it. The brainchild of the equally divisive Max Power magazine, Project 2000 has to
be one of the most expensive road-going RS2000s ever built. Whilst Max Power was often controversial, and has become something of a by-word for tastelessly modified cars, there is no denying that, for the second half of the 1990s and into the early 2000s, it was a force to be reckoned with in the world of automotive journalism. Outselling its rivals by double within a year of going on sale, it touched a nerve in car culture and became one of the most recognised motoring titles of a generation. This popularity led to generous budgets for project cars, and Project 2000 saw the humble Escort get its turn at the “Max” treatment in 1997, before the Japanese car invasion took hold at the end of the decade.
The project began with Ford donating a totally standard 1996 2WD RS2000 in Radiant Red. Obviously this wouldn’t suit the loud and proud style that Max Power readers had become so accustomed to, so work began to transform the car into something truly unique. To make the car stand out, some motorsport styling was chosen, so a wide variety of companies were roped in, including Gordon Spooner Engineering and Mountune, who had been responsible for the F2 Escorts.
First things first, we’ll deal with the most striking aspect of the car; its body styling; the main reason for all the controversy, and the reason that Project 2000 is probably the most memorable of all the Max Power project cars. The basis for much of the styling was borrowed from Ford Motorsport, with GSE supplying the front and rear wings from an Escort Kit Car, along with the bonnet vent, roof vent and
carbon fibre wing mirrors. These were combined with heavily customised bumpers and side skirts. The final piece of the puzzle was a genuine Escort World Rally Car rear wing, unceremoniously chopped up and customised, with only around 30% of the £3000 carbon fibre part said to remain! Then of course there was the colour...
A car forever to be known as being pink, it was actually a genuine Porsche shade; Karmin Rot. Many shudder at the sight of it, and it is undoubtedly an acquired taste but, without it, it’s safe to say that the car would not have achieved the legendary status it now possesses.
Of course the transformation wasn’t just skin deep, and the car borrowed many more parts from the motorsport world, including a selection of GSE upgrades. The rear beam was converted to use Cosworth hubs, just like a Group A car, though standard Cosworth brakes were utilised. The front also saw Cosworth brakes, borrowed from an Escort, along with modified suspension arms to suit the wider track and Kit Car wheel arches. Spax supplied adjustable suspension, and the body shell had a custom roll cage fitted which, in keeping with the subtle(!) theme, was painted lime green.
Under the bonnet, an engine was supplied by Mountune, built roughly to Kit Car specifications,
featuring the sliding throttle bodies from its rally cousin, however the carbon fibre air intake system was omitted. At the time, power was claimed to be 250bhp, so the car certainly had the muscle to back up those outrageous looks.
However, for the racers out there, all that power was slightly sapped by the interior. Although it featured the aforementioned roll cage, along with bucket seats, a significant amount of weight was added with the obligatory audio system. For this, the rear seats were removed, and the whole rear of the car filled with sub woofers and amplifiers. Not to everyone’s taste of course, but it wouldn’t have been a Max Power car without it.
After a reported £70,000 worth of work was complete, the car was used as a promotional tool, touring numerous shows and events, before being given away to one lucky magazine reader in 1998. We were contacted out of the blue by the winner after an online discussion, and he gave us a little more information, noting that even when he got the car, it was already showing signs of some hard use by magazine staff as they’d used it effectively as a pool car before it was given away. Eventually it was sold on, and reportedly spent some time off the road during the intervening decade since being built.
However, some years later, the car passed into the hands of Ray Collier, a tyre tester based in the North West of En
gland. When Ray got the car, the years hadn’t been kind, and the car was certainly showing its age. However, the potential was clear to see, and Ray set about returning the car to its former glory. It was time for a change of focus though. With the car destined for use as a track day toy some upgrades were required, as well as some much needed TLC.
The suspension and brakes have all been subject to an extensive rebuild, including removal of the ABS system, as well as new bushes, bearings and numerous other components. The engine was checked over, with a revised breather system and engine remap by one of the original F2 engine mappers. Despite never being rebuilt, the engine still produces the goods, with over 200bhp at Ray’s disposal.
Inside, the seats and harnesses have been replaced, along with further modifications to the roll cage to improve chassis stiffness. The audio system has, of course, been removed, leaving the interior a baron place as befitting a track car.
Project 2000 has had a long journey since its build in 1997, seeing car shows and scantily clad women, late night cruises i
n numerous towns across the UK, the lead boots of many a journalist, a period of lay-up and neglect, and now a thorough rebuild for a life of track days, where it’s already proving itself against much more exotic machinery. The colour may still divide opinion all these years later, but the car has become legendary amongst many modified car fans, and is still out there causing controversy. Who knows, you might even see it at your next track day. You certainly won’t miss it...
be one of the most expensive road-going RS2000s ever built. Whilst Max Power was often controversial, and has become something of a by-word for tastelessly modified cars, there is no denying that, for the second half of the 1990s and into the early 2000s, it was a force to be reckoned with in the world of automotive journalism. Outselling its rivals by double within a year of going on sale, it touched a nerve in car culture and became one of the most recognised motoring titles of a generation. This popularity led to generous budgets for project cars, and Project 2000 saw the humble Escort get its turn at the “Max” treatment in 1997, before the Japanese car invasion took hold at the end of the decade.The project began with Ford donating a totally standard 1996 2WD RS2000 in Radiant Red. Obviously this wouldn’t suit the loud and proud style that Max Power readers had become so accustomed to, so work began to transform the car into something truly unique. To make the car stand out, some motorsport styling was chosen, so a wide variety of companies were roped in, including Gordon Spooner Engineering and Mountune, who had been responsible for the F2 Escorts.
First things first, we’ll deal with the most striking aspect of the car; its body styling; the main reason for all the controversy, and the reason that Project 2000 is probably the most memorable of all the Max Power project cars. The basis for much of the styling was borrowed from Ford Motorsport, with GSE supplying the front and rear wings from an Escort Kit Car, along with the bonnet vent, roof vent and
carbon fibre wing mirrors. These were combined with heavily customised bumpers and side skirts. The final piece of the puzzle was a genuine Escort World Rally Car rear wing, unceremoniously chopped up and customised, with only around 30% of the £3000 carbon fibre part said to remain! Then of course there was the colour...A car forever to be known as being pink, it was actually a genuine Porsche shade; Karmin Rot. Many shudder at the sight of it, and it is undoubtedly an acquired taste but, without it, it’s safe to say that the car would not have achieved the legendary status it now possesses.
Of course the transformation wasn’t just skin deep, and the car borrowed many more parts from the motorsport world, including a selection of GSE upgrades. The rear beam was converted to use Cosworth hubs, just like a Group A car, though standard Cosworth brakes were utilised. The front also saw Cosworth brakes, borrowed from an Escort, along with modified suspension arms to suit the wider track and Kit Car wheel arches. Spax supplied adjustable suspension, and the body shell had a custom roll cage fitted which, in keeping with the subtle(!) theme, was painted lime green.
Under the bonnet, an engine was supplied by Mountune, built roughly to Kit Car specifications,
featuring the sliding throttle bodies from its rally cousin, however the carbon fibre air intake system was omitted. At the time, power was claimed to be 250bhp, so the car certainly had the muscle to back up those outrageous looks.However, for the racers out there, all that power was slightly sapped by the interior. Although it featured the aforementioned roll cage, along with bucket seats, a significant amount of weight was added with the obligatory audio system. For this, the rear seats were removed, and the whole rear of the car filled with sub woofers and amplifiers. Not to everyone’s taste of course, but it wouldn’t have been a Max Power car without it.
After a reported £70,000 worth of work was complete, the car was used as a promotional tool, touring numerous shows and events, before being given away to one lucky magazine reader in 1998. We were contacted out of the blue by the winner after an online discussion, and he gave us a little more information, noting that even when he got the car, it was already showing signs of some hard use by magazine staff as they’d used it effectively as a pool car before it was given away. Eventually it was sold on, and reportedly spent some time off the road during the intervening decade since being built.
However, some years later, the car passed into the hands of Ray Collier, a tyre tester based in the North West of En
gland. When Ray got the car, the years hadn’t been kind, and the car was certainly showing its age. However, the potential was clear to see, and Ray set about returning the car to its former glory. It was time for a change of focus though. With the car destined for use as a track day toy some upgrades were required, as well as some much needed TLC.The suspension and brakes have all been subject to an extensive rebuild, including removal of the ABS system, as well as new bushes, bearings and numerous other components. The engine was checked over, with a revised breather system and engine remap by one of the original F2 engine mappers. Despite never being rebuilt, the engine still produces the goods, with over 200bhp at Ray’s disposal.
Inside, the seats and harnesses have been replaced, along with further modifications to the roll cage to improve chassis stiffness. The audio system has, of course, been removed, leaving the interior a baron place as befitting a track car.
Project 2000 has had a long journey since its build in 1997, seeing car shows and scantily clad women, late night cruises i
n numerous towns across the UK, the lead boots of many a journalist, a period of lay-up and neglect, and now a thorough rebuild for a life of track days, where it’s already proving itself against much more exotic machinery. The colour may still divide opinion all these years later, but the car has become legendary amongst many modified car fans, and is still out there causing controversy. Who knows, you might even see it at your next track day. You certainly won’t miss it...
Tony Smith
Well-Known Member
The guy whos building my V8 GTA has a customer whos spent over 20k on an old shape Ford Ka which still has standard engine - just body , paint, ICE and interior trimming. It is hideous :0).
clarky_gtt
Well-Known Member
It's now owned by a you tuber, he recently blew it up on a track day
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