Highlights

Older comprehensive restoration
Carefully upgraded rebuilt 1,640cc engine
Well-known in AVO and Ford circles
Former RetroFord magazine star
Huge history file of work
Very good condition and desirable spec

The Appeal

Such was Ford’s utter dominance of the world rally stages that nobody needed to explain why its new fast Escort was named after a faraway South American country. Featuring the Type 49 shell and essentially a re-engined Twin Cam with the Kent 1.6L Crossflow motor, the Mexico was much more than a set of stylish cosmetic addenda - although it was that too.

Good, genuine Mexicos are in high demand. This one is believed to have been first campaigned by Motoring News between 1973 and 1975. It was acquired by the current keeper in 2000 and subsequently restored - twice: once in 2002 and again in 2009. Finished in stylish Olympic Blue with a Custom Pack Recaro interior, the specification is a testament to the owner’s detailed knowledge of these superlative cars.

The car’s quality is similarly impressive. This is a show-winning motor, RetroFord feature star and a Mexico that is well known in local and national Ford and AVO circles. With great provenance and superb condition, if you’re in the market for one of Ford’s best quick cars, this one deserves your attention.

The History and Paperwork

First registered 19th October 1973
Confirmed factory built September 1973 by AVO Club
Extensive history folder including invoices and typed history by current keeper
Invoices from well regarded specialists such as Burton Power
Old MOTs and print out of recent digital MOTs shown in photographs
12 keepers from new
Current keeper since March 2000
Originally white with colour change recorded in February 2002
HPI clear
VIN number BFATNC00181
Car rebuilt soon after March 2000 including stripping bodyshell and repainting
Car repainted by Wee Eck Cooper
Reassembled by current keeper and friends, including Merk and Forrest
Engine rebuilt by JEM Engines to high specification with details in photographs and below
Rebuilt again in 2009 over 109 days, including full strip down and rebuild
AVO correspondence confirming chassis number, previous engagement with car and build date
Featured in RetroFord magazine in January 2015 which appears in photographs
Photographs of car, including those used in a magazine article
Newspaper cuttings from Wee County featuring the car and current keeper
Scottish 'Old Skool Escorts' calendar dated 2006 which features this car
Vendor tells us that the car is believed to have been campaigned by Motoring News between 1973 and 1975
Historic Vehicle that is MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt
Last MOT expired May 2019 with 34,307 miles showing on test and no advisories
Now showing 35,386 miles
Old style V5 and current V5C in vendor’s name

History highlights:

Best Car of Show at Crail Raceway 2004
Escort Club Stand at Bridge of Allan Show 2003 - Best Car
North East Scotland Owners Club 2005 show - Best Car
Voted one of the Top 10 Mexicos at AVO National 2008
Best ¼ mile at Crail Raceway of 16.4secs
Rolling road tested to 129bhp
Used for trackday at Knockhill once per year by current keeper

The Condition

Refinished in Olympic Blue using Type 49 shell
Paintwork in very good order with only light points to note in photos
Bodywork presents very well with minor marks visible in photos
Carefully detailed original and upgraded, factory-correct specification
Uprated interior with Custom Pack features including a six dial display and RS seats
Well-detailed cabin with Kienzle clock and original Ford radio
Few signs of age or use across interior but some very minor points to note in photos
Underside reported to be in good order with no issues reported

Bodywork repairs during 2000 and 20090 restorations:

Two front wings
Front panel using early one with hole for starting handle
Wing rails
Strut top plates
Radiator cross member
A post pillars
Floor pans front & rear
Front chassis legs
Middle chassis sections
Inner & outer sills
Rear wheel arches
Inner & outer tank wells
Inner & outer wheel wells
Rear valance
Ford Olympic Blue two pack paint & royal blue decal with Mexico decal

Interior and exterior specification:

RS roll-top Recaro seats
RS custom console, Kienzle clock, Ford period radio
Twincam 140mph six dial dash clocks
Springaflex three-spoke steering wheel
Blue top tint front laminated windscreen
Olympic Blue paint
Black pinstripe decal kit
Chrome front bumpers
Early twin cam bonnet release catch
Wingard ‘bullet’ chrome door mirrors
RS window wiper aerofoil
Magard alloy spot lamp brackets
Cibie oscar spot lamps (2up/2 down)
Ford Rallye Sport replica spot lamp covers
Rear skid pan mud deflector
13" x 6"J Superlite alloy wheels
175/70/13 Yokahama tyres

In a modern era when ‘go faster’ means big wheels, vast spoilers and lots of red highlights, it is refreshing to see this stunning Mexico. It is both simply styled and carefully detailed to deliver a very purposeful car that strongly evokes those gravel-scrabbling rally winners.

The specification of this car reads like a Mexico buyer’s wish list. It is finished in Olympic Blue with an uprated Custom Pack interior and has been carefully enhanced by the current keeper, a fastidious Mexico enthusiast. You can read about that above and view the impressive results in the photos.

The car was originally restored by the seller in 2000 and then again in 2009. It has been used very sparingly since, picking up a run of awards as well as a magazine feature since completion. Today it presents exceptionally well and is amongst the best Mexicos we’ve seen recently.

The Mechanics

1,640cc Kent Crossflow 4cyl Ford engine rebuilt by JEM engines
4spd manual 2000E Mexico-correct manual gearbox
3.54:1 differential
AVO suspension
Superflex bushes
Fully rewired during restoration
Engine and mechanical specification shown in photos and summarised below
No reported running or driving issues

Mechanical specification:

1640cc Crossflow JEM-built engine
Lightened & balanced flywheel
Kent BCF3 camshaft
High pressure oil pump
Big valve head & double valve springs
Bronze valve guides
H&H distriburator & coil pack
Big header radiator
Twin 40 DCOE Weber carburettors
Twin throttle linkages
Braided fuel lines
Facet electric fuel pump & regulator
Nine-gallon petrol tank
2000E three-rail gearbox
Single-piece propshaft
3.77 ATB CWP rear English axle
Rear 9" brake drums & brake shoes
AVO adjustable rear shock absorbers
2" lowering blocks
Multi-leaf springs
Alloy strut top mounts & spacer kit
2½" front coil-over front gusseted struts
140lbs 10" front springs - 1"
AVO top adjustable front strut inserts
Vented & grooved front brake discs
2.8i Capri M16 front brake calipers
Mintex front brake pads
2½ turn quick steering rack
GRP 4 steering coupling
Superflex bush kit
Janspeed single box & branch manifold

Ford wanted to get its road and rally cars so right that it created a special division to develop them - Advanced Vehicle Operations. What AVO started, many owners of these cars have wisely sought to make even better.

This car follows that philosophy. It sticks closely to the original factory specification. There is a 1,640cc Kent Crossflow engine that has been rebuilt by JEM Engines to deliver 129bhp. The 2000E manual gearbox is factory-correct. Thereafter the list of improvements is a paean to the current keeper’s knowledge and enthusiasm. It is extensive and listed above, delivering a car that is arguably better to drive and certainly quicker than how it left the AVO works.

With very sparing use by the enthusiast keeper since completion, this car is in very fine mechanical order. It is clear from the history file that no expense has been spared to maintain what is clearly a labour of love and a very reluctant sale.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

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