Ford Escort Mexico, 1972
Ford Escort I
Ford Escort I•
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Chassis No.: BFATMG42989
Engine No.: BFATMG42989
Registration: KRO 612L
- Factory built Mexico with Type 49 shell
- Correct 1.6 litre crossflow engine
There was, in the early days of the Ford Escort, a higher performance version for rallying 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 (1598cc crossflow-engined) 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.
First registered in December 1972, this factory-built original Escort Mexico with its race strengthened Type 49 shell has been set up for Tarmac/road rallies however the last owner, who purchased the car in 2019, had been amazingly using it as a fair-weather daily driver. This Mexico still retains its correct 1.6 litre crossflow engine which has now been upgraded with twin Weber 45 carburettors and tuned by Escort specialists, Motoscope in Northallerton. Along with this it has been fitted with a Type 9 five-speed gearbox making the car more usable in road going conditions, the vendor stating ‘it handles like it's on rails’.
Flick the power switch and push the Rally inspired start button and the firecracker of an engine bursts into life, providing a thrilling drive in one of the world's most iconic rally cars. This example is sold with history folder containing receipts for servicing and maintenance, a V5 registration document and rolling road results. This is a rare car but well-known by the AVO (Advanced Vehicle Operations) / Mexico Owners’ Club. The chance to own a head-turning car such as this doesn’t come along very often, and the current owner referred to it as ‘a real life Scalextric for adults’.
This could be one of the most unique vehicles to have in your garage for the Sunday morning paper run or should you wish take things a little more serious and use the car for its true purpose. It would be hard to find another original Mexico with this patina and styling to channel your inner Hannu Mikkola. Consigned by Mathew Priddy
