1971 Ford Escort Mexico

For sale by auction on Saturday 07 June 2014 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
The Ford works team was practically unbeatable in the late
1960's and early 1970's. and 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 Escort Mexico
special edition road versions in honour of the rally car.

The Mexico offered has undergone many works to bring it to the
condition and specification you see today. An extensive restoration
was completed in 2007 and was built as a Status Quo tribute car by
the son of Ray Vale. a very well known hot rod racer from the
70's. The bodywork was restored using fibreglass arches and
bonnet with the addition of a Ford RS 3. 1 rear spoiler. alloy
custom made front spoiler and remote opening doors; all carried out
to a high standard. Mechanically. the engine is a rebuilt 1700
crossflow unit. which includes; a 711M block. dry sump system. br/>Cosworth flat top pistons. stainless steel V6 valves. Isky double
valve springs and a Kent 244 camshaft. A 1300 chambered full race
big valve cylinder head by Vulcan is fed by twin Weber 45
carburettors and exhausted via an Ashley 4-2-1 full system. Drive
is via a Quaife straight cut type 9. five speed gearbox with a
single piece RS propshaft to the Quaife 4:1. ATB LSD English rear
axle. At the front. the handling is supplied by Gaz coil-overs with
eccentric top mounts. a double width anti-roll bar. strut brace. br/>and poly bushes. To the rear an anti-roll bar. Spax adjustable
shock absorbers. 2 inch de-cambered single leaf springs. two inch
lowering blocks and poly bushes. Braking is by four-pot calipers
with vented discs at the front and standard drums to the rear. The
Mexico sits upon Revolution four spoke alloy wheels shod with
215/50/13 Kumho tyres. The interior is completed with a full roll
over bar. Corbeau GT8 period bucket seats with rare genuine Britax
harnesses. original Beta cloth rear seats. a stainless steel fire
extinguisher and alloy door cards.

Recently. re-commissioning works have been carried out that
included a milder 224 fast road camshaft (the original 244 rally
cam is included) and a full service. We are informed that the
Mexico is more drivable now giving a power band from 1000 to
6000rpm instead of it all happening after 3000rpm. The vendor also
informs us that the car is registered as an Mk I Ford Mexico with
BFAT included as part of the chassis number on the log book and has
a clear title; however. it is believed that the car may have been
re-shelled and may not be the original Type 49 shell. but it is
strengthened and gusseted.

This Ford Mexico. with its interesting specification and history
is offered and ready to excite a new owner immediately.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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