Lot 351: 1974 Ford Escort Mexico Saloon

Ford’s knack of accurately judging market requirements was demonstrated yet again in 1968 with the arrival of the Escort. An instant hit, the newcomer proved a worthy successor to the Anglia and would go on to be Britain’s best-selling car for many years. In 1970, a team of works Escorts, prepared at Ford’s Advanced Vehicles Operation at Boreham, was entered in that year’s Daily Mirror-sponsored World Cup Rally. These special Escorts were basically RS1600 rally-cars fitted with 1,845cc ‘Kent’ overhead-valve engines rather than the stock Cosworth BDA 16-valver, the pushrod unit being considered a more reliable proposition for this arduous long-distance event. It turned out to be a most rewarding venture for Ford, as the works Escorts dominated, finishing 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 8th. The World Cup Rally finished in Mexico City, thus giving its name to the Escort ‘Mexico’ road car, which in its production form used the 1.6-litre Cortina GT engine and 2000E gearbox. Assembled at AVO, the Mexico remained faithful to its RS1600 origins in most other respects, although there were minor differences in interior trim.
This Mexico retains its original AVO bodyshell and was purchased form an ex-Boreham employee (since deceased). Last used in 1991, the vehicle is offered in ‘rolling chassis’ form, minus its engine, gearbox and interior trim. A most exciting restoration project, ‘TBH 300M’ comes with MSA Rally Special Stage logbook and Swansea V5C registration document.