1973 Ford Escort Mk1 Mexico

Fully restored at a cost of over £30,000 - not used since

Rebuilt engine and bespoke exhaust system

Accompanying period paperwork

The Ford Escort Mexico was introduced in November 1970 and was so named because of Ford Motor Company's victory in the World Cup Rally. This rally started in London on 19th April 1970 and finished some 16,000 miles later in Mexico. Originally Ford intended to use Escorts with the Twin Cam or BDA engine, but after reconnaissance work, it was decided that high speeds and high power were less important than reliability and ease of servicing, and therefore the 'Kent' pushrod engine was used in the Escort shell.

It seems likely that Ford already had plans to produce a high-performance Escort to fit in the range between the 1300GT and the Twin Cam/RS1600, but their victory in Mexico provided an ideal platform to launch such a model. The engineers at the newly formed AVO (Advanced Vehicles Operations) quickly developed the 'Mexico', marrying the stronger Type 49 body-shell (as used in the more expensive Twin Cam and RS1600), which aided the cars sporty, rear-wheel-drive character, with the reliable and responsive 1600cc Kent 'crossflow' engine and 2000E gearbox. So, effectively, the Mexico was basically a re-engined Twin Cam/RS1600.

The Mexico was AVO's most successful and numerous of the 'Rally Sport Escorts,' and was an instant sales hit, with buyers loving its wide-wheeled stance, bold optional graphics, and rally-inspired DNA. It had a number of advantages on the road, in that it had decent performance, was easy to maintain, relatively easy to insure, and above all, it was great fun to drive, something which is still very true today. There is a real sense of occasion as you settle down behind the wheel, and a sharp throttle response, precise controls, and raspy engine note only add to the drama.

The car presented here is a Ford Escort Mexico which was first registered on the 1st August 1973. It was delivered new through Vospers Ford of Plymouth and spent many years in the South West of the country. There are numerous old invoices and MoT Certificates from this period which show dutiful ownership with maintenance and servicing over the years and this made it an ideal candidate for the car's previous owner to fully restore. The work was entrusted Tony Collins of Classic Car Restorations in Kent and, after many hours of specialist work costing over £30,000, the car was transformed into one of the best Mk1 Escorts we have ever offered. The bodywork and mechanicals have been given the best possible treatment, whilst the interior has also benefitted from detailed attention. The engine was fully re-built and tuned by Bailey & Liddle of Faversham, complemented by a beautifully engineered exhaust system fabricated by Hayward & Scott of Basildon. The restoration was lengthy and exacting and was completed just six months ago. The car is now simply superb, having not been used since the work was finished, and looks fabulous in its original colour of Daytona Yellow, a very fetching hue for a Mk1. A lack of storage space and not enough time to enjoy this great car have dictated that our Ford-enthusiast vendor - who has owned numerous classic Fast Fords over the years - has decided to sell it, hoping a similar devotee will get to drive and show it properly, which it richly deserves.

Nobody can have failed to notice the swell of interest in Classic Fords, particularly the quick ones, and it doesn't look like abating any time soon. This Mexico must surely be one of the best examples available, it's absolutely ready to go and would be an asset to any enthusiast of these era-defining, characterful, sporting Fords.