“Anyone can have a Model T Ford in any color they want, as long as it’s black…” While this little phrase from Henry Ford has remained famous, the blue oval brand quickly changed its philosophy to offer a multitude of different references for parts that at first glance seem identical.
Nothing is truer than when it comes to the "RS" rims of the Escort and Capri.
Here is a short guide/summary on this subject (our thanks to our friends at Turbosport for the photos).
RS2000 Mk2 . Size 6″ x 13″ with flat nuts. The early versions manufactured by GKN for Ford have slightly thinner spokes than those later manufactured by Ford (grey and polished finish).
The Capri Laser (FAVO) . Size 6″ x 13″, conical nuts and wider shafts than the MK2 RS2000
They both have the same offset and the central lens is the same. The Capri ones are black, the Escort RS ones have "RS" written on them.
4 spokes (or 4 spokes) 7″ x 13″ . They were offered in the Ford RS catalogue as an accessory for the Capri and Fiesta (fitted with the Xpack widebody kit).
They were not, however, listed in Ford's general catalog, even though they fit without any problems. They feature flat nuts and a Ford RS logo on one of the spokes and were manufactured for Ford by Ronal (the Ronal logo also appears on one of the spokes). Metallic gray finish.
Four 7.5" x 13" spokes. Offered as an accessory for the Escort and Capri X pack. Flat nuts. Manufactured by ATS (logo on the back of one of the spokes). Metallic gray finish.
The wheel nuts for these rims: Standard 6x13 rims have chrome nuts with flat washers, while the 7x13 and 7.5x13 rims could have the same nuts or black chrome nuts, which were offered in the Ford accessories catalog. Center caps were also available as an option in silver with a black RS logo.
There are also the 6" x 13" GP1 wheels, which were made by ATS. Identical in size to the standard rims, but with more pronounced spokes and a deeper lug nut. They also feature grooves on the back of the spokes for reinforcement. They have the reference H75ad stamped on one of the spokes to identify them as unique RS parts. Metallic gray finish.
Next, "rear-wheel drive" / FWD offsets were offered for the Fiesta Supersport in 6″ x 13″.
There are also the Series X accessories, which are 6x13 wheels for the Fiesta, Escort 3, and Cortina – they resemble the Supersport wheels but have an RS and Ford logo on one spoke (manufactured by Ronal). Silver-grey finish.
SuperSport Wheels:
Ronal Series-X FWD
Also available are MK1 wheels in 5.5″ x 13″ for the standard Escort , with flat-head lug nuts. They feature a darker silver-grey finish with a diamond cut and clear coat. The center caps are attached from the inside, making them easy to identify.
And finally the MK1 GP1 6″x13″ , flat nuts, and valve in one branch, cabochon from the inside.
And for those who have managed to follow so far, there were also " special versions " of the GP1 with a wider central lens (from MK2) in 1980. Made by Ronal and finished in metallic grey.
Finally, 6×14 tires manufactured by Pirelli and sold in Italy. Very, very rare.
This is the minefield of “RS” rims, and that’s without going into detail about the Capri RS3100 and Capri MK2 JPS.
So, which ones are yours?
Important: It is crucial to correctly identify your wheel type to ensure you use the right lug nuts (flat, conical, captive, etc.). See our range here: https://www.pafclassic.com/collections/ecrous
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