Ford Escort Mexico

Details

One of the biggest selling cars to have ever been built, a staple of the UK automotive industry for over 4 decades, the Ford Escort needs no introduction. Originally built as a full size family saloon, the model has always attracted the sportier minded owners thanks to its range of performance lines from the XR3i, RS Turbo, RS1600, RS2000 and of course, the mighty RS Cosworth. But perhaps the name which stokes the memory bank the most, is of course the iconic Ford Escort Mexico.

Built to celebrate Fords victory in the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally, the car featured a 1598cc “Crossflow” engine and the body was built with additional strengthening panels in high stress areas making the car more suitable for competition.

All Mexicos were built in the Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) facility along with the RS1600 and other future performance models.

The car on offer here has undergone a 2 year full nut and bolt bare metal restoration within the last 7 years. Finished in Daytona Yellow, new panels were used were necessary including new floors, inner and outer sills, new A posts, chassis rails, drip rails, top suspension mounts, front panel and front inner wings.

New windrow, door and boot rubbers were used, along with new headlamps, front indicators, front and rear bumpers, plus all new badges.

Front configuration now consists of Ford Capri 2.8i suspension legs, track rod ends, lower suspension arms, poly bushes, with all new wheel bearings, brake callipers, discs, pads and braided hoses.

The rear has Capri 2.8i leaf springs, Gaz dampers, poly bushes, new brakes including cylinders, braided hoses, handbrake cables and a Quaife limited slip differential. All brake and fuel lines were renewed also.

The interior underwent a full retrim to the original seats, along with new carpets, dash top and parcel shelf.

The centre piece of this restoration is of course its punchy 1700 Crossflow engine running 160hp* built by WPE in South London. This has been achieved by using BDA high compression pistons, lotus conrods, lightened and balanced 254 hot rod cams. Ignition is courtesy of a Bestek system along with a high torque starter motor. A new water pump and alternator were also fitted at the time along with a very recent replacement clutch and slave cylinder.

The car sounds as good as you would imagine it would breathing in through Weber 45 carburettors and out through a custom made full stainless steel exhaust.

It looks every bit the part sitting on a new set of 7×13 deep dished Lotus steels with pristine hub caps.

A well-known example that has featured on the TV show “For The Love Of Cars – Mexico Edition” as well as Classic Ford magazine articles. Must be seen to be appreciated.

*at time of test