Lot 537: 1971 Ford Escort Mexico Competition Saloon

In 1970 a team of works Escorts, specially prepared at Ford�s Advanced Vehicles Operation at Boreham, was entered in that year�s Daily Mirror-sponsored World Cup Rally. 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.
The car we offer was driven by Sir Jack Brabham at the 1971 Brands Hatch Race of Champions in the race named after him. �The Jack Brabham Trophy� was for Formula 1 team managers and former drivers, who competed in identical Ford Escort Mexicos fitted with open exhausts and Dunlop radial road tyres. Lined up on the grid with Brabham was Ken Tyrrell, Colin Chapman, Frank Williams, John Surtees and Max Mosley to name but a few. Chapman led through Clearways on the final lap, only to find that he�d lost top gear. Brabham scrambled past to take the victory but generously handed over the winner's trophy, which carried his name, to Chapman after the event. This famous race would later be re-broadcast as part of the 1987 BBC Television series, �100 Great Sporting Moments�. A DVD of the race and copy of the race programme come with the car.
After the race the winning Mexico was sent back to Ford and used in local and national rallies. Stored privately for the last 23 years with the same owner, the car was restored to its former glory over the winter of 2007-2008 and is described as in excellent condition. Offered with MoT to January 2009 and Swansea V5 registration document, it represents a rare opportunity to purchase an historic competition car with documented history, ready to be used in a variety of historic motor sport events.