Description
There was, in the early days of the Ford Escort, a higher performance version for rallies and racing. The Mk. I Escorts became very successful as a rally car and eventually went on to become one of the most successful rally cars of all time. The Ford works team was practically unbeatable in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s; arguably the Escort's greatest victory was in the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally being driven by Finnish legend Hannu Mikkola. This gave rise to the famous Escort Mexico special edition road versions in honour of the rally car. The Mexico was built at Ford's Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) facility located at the Aveley Plant in South Essex. As well as higher performance engines and sports suspension, these models featured strengthened bodyshells, making them an ideal model for rallying. Today, Mk. I Escorts are still popular in the amateur rally scene.
This stunning, original two door Ford Escort Mk. I Mexico was built at the Aveley factory where all the special Ford Escorts were built and supplied with the flared wheel arches to accommodate the four spoke RS wheels. This Mexico has been the completely stripped down and restored. Finished in Le Manns Green with Black leather RS style bucket seats it is like owning a new Mexico. The engine has been completely rebuilt and up rated by Radco Motorsport this included boring out to 1700cc fitting Accralite pistons and rings, Williams 5. 23” con rods, fitting a BVH cylinder head, new valves for un-leaded fuel, a balanced 8” clutch flywheel and fitting two 40 DCOE Weber carburettors. The car was Dyno tested giving 130bhp @ 6, 140rpm from the engine. Also during the restoration, the car was fitted with a high speed starter, stainless steel exhaust system and adjustable gas shock absorbers. Supplied with a V5 registration document this loverly Ford Escort Mk. I Mexico is ready to show or would be equally happy on the race track.
