1975 MkI Escort Mexico Rally Car

The Ford Escort was launched at the 1968 Brussels Motor Show. Acutely aware that the Lotus Cortina was at the end of its competition career, Ford's competition department had been developing a race and rally version of their new model throughout 1967 and had the 'Twin-Cam' ready and waiting as the standard road cars were released.One of the Escort's most memorable early competition wins was Hannu Mikkola's victory on the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup rally. To capitalise on this victory Ford created the limited edition, AVO built, Escort 'Mexico' in time for the 1971 season. It featured a specially strengthened shell and was fitted with 'Rallye Sport' (RS) suspension and brakes. Powered by a reliable and quick 1600cc 'Kent' engine, the model was given its own dedicated racing series known as the 'Mexico Challenge'.

"HGJ 706N" is built from an original MKI Escort Mexico. It is a Type 49 AVO shell, with all correct features; under wing turret braces, anti tramp bars, rear leaf spring skids, Mexico steel wings, even the captive bolts still in the boot floor for original stone deflector. Other than that, the shell has light strengthening & gussets, full SD roll cage and strut brace. The car has been a competition car for a number of years and while it is not a show car it is quite presentable and could be improved further should the new owner choose to.

Power comes from an extremely quick & healthy 1600 cross flow engine using a traditional Mexico 711M block, fully worked cylinder head, steel rocker gear, accralite pistons, lightened & balanced crank / flywheel, ARP bolts, Kent 244 cam, vernier kit, Mexico baffled big wing sump, hp/hc oil pump, alloy rocker cover, Bosch electric ignition, twin 40 Webers with twin throttle cable linkage and K&N Filters, 4 into 1 exhaust manifold. Mated to this is a close ratio 2000e 3 rail gear box, single piece propshaft, paddle clutch, English axle with a 4.7 crown wheel and pinion, new TranX clutch plate LSD and larger 2 piece halfshafts.

The braking system is well sorted with alloy 4 pot hi-spec front calipers & vented discs, bias pedal box, hydraulic hand brake and disc braked rear axle, fully aeroquip throughout.

Suspension is well prepared and made up of; Bilstein 2 1/4 adjustable platform front struts with rose jointed top mounts, new TCA's, twin cam anti roll bar with double width mountings, WCXM high ratio steering rack, Bilstein upright dampers (later type shell) Ford anti tramp bars, CD6 rear springs, watts linkage.

The inside of the car is complete with Mexico 6 dial dash, Terratrip Graytronic intercom, Sparco EVO seat and plumbed in zero 2000 extinguisher and hand held.

Overall a fantastic car that has been well prepared and supplied with a competition logbook which is suitable for tarmac or historic rallying, at an affordable guide.