1980 I'm pretty sure was when last RWD Escys were made.
It's really nice for you to have one. Tho I'm sorry to say but those "tuning" ideas sound exactly like the stuff you think now is cool but when youre few years older you'll regret them. I'm only 22 but this thing almost happened to me too, tho in a much worse scale because I was only 15 when I got my first car (the current daily drive) and my taste was REALLY childlish back then.
Also my cousin totally raped a one mk2 Escort once he was young too. Tho it has been few years already and mk2's were much cheaper back then.
But anyhow what you decide it's your decision and I hope you'll be happy with the end results.
