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A rare early Mk1 Ford Escort Mexico with AVO and RSOC National Day awards.

EQUIPMENT
Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) Type 49 body, front quarter bumpers, flared wheel arches, strengthened chassis rails, strengthened flitch plates, reinforced front suspension strut top mounting plates, rear radius rods, safety glass, anti-burst locks, black painted aluminium grille, six pod sports binnacle, heater fan, two speed wiper, courtesy light, spare wheel housed in boot together with battery. Factory fitted options; Reversing lights, Speedblade wipers, Springalex steering wheel, cigar lighter.

EXTERIOR
The road version of the rally winner and available only at your Ford Rallye Sport dealer was the draw of these special cars built at the Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) division. Finished in one of the three launch colours, Sunset Red (Code J), this genuine early Mexico is stunning with incredible detailing extending to the underside for those wishing to enter the show circuit of this once proven concours winner. Vital components such as the rear stone deflector held in by eight bolts in the boot floor and strengthened AVO workmanship are laid bare for all to see. A few minor blemishes do not detract from this Concours d’Elegance winner. The chrome, glass and badges are in immaculate order with the front screen still being the genuine Ford Triplex laminated item with accompanying sticker cleaned by Trico Speedblade wipers. The lens units are FoMoCo and the contrasting Mexico stickers are in perfect condition cementing the iconic rally look.

INTERIOR
High grade Black PVC upholstery, (Code AA), as fitted to ‘L’ specification early cars are simply incredible along with the rest of the interior. The padded facia has no cracks or rips and the correct matt-black finish to the beautiful instrument panel to eliminate dazzle is unmarked. Fitted with the factory 140mph speedometer and 8,000rpm rev counter, all gauges, controls and switches are fully operational. The optional black looped-pile carpet is spotlessly clean along with the desirable Springalex dished steering wheel. The boot area continues the showroom experience with the early Mexico’s battery-in-boot setup meaning the spare wheel is mounted to the boot floor. The nine-gallon fuel tank finished in factory matt grey and even the jack and wheel brace are within the original fawn muslin bag and black light protectors undamaged. Spectacular.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Spectators will drool in amazement under the bonnet of this desirable early Escort Mexico as it is so clean. The four cylinder 1600 GT crossflow unit with the 711M block is quoted in the sales brochure at 86bhp to go up to a ton with little effort and hit sixty in under 11 seconds. Correct specification from the AC oval metal airbox finished in silver to the tubular four-into-one exhaust system exactly replicated in stainless steel will please scrutineers. The original VIN plate and AVO ID plate remain fixed to the slam panel. The close ratio all-synchromesh 4-speed gearbox with heavy-duty three-rail shift ensures positive changes.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Fitted with the correct pressed steel wheels with the cooling slots measuring 5.5x13in and immaculate chrome hubcaps. The tyres are matching premium Dunlop SP6 175/70 R13 tyres with ample tread. The remote servo-assistance brakes powered by the early Girling Powerstop AHV 550 Mk2B helps grip the front discs and rear drums adequately.

HISTORY FILE
Built at Fords Advanced Vehicle Operations factory in Aveley in October 1971, this vehicle has led the most incredible pampered existence with absolute enthusiasts. Highly regarded and registered with the both the AVO Owners Club and RS Owners Club, this example has won many prestigious awards during the 1980’s and 1990’s and is both an AVO National Day winner and RSOC National Day winner. Photos in the history file of the car at many events with trophies are a testament to the outstanding condition still witnessed today some 35 years later! A feature in Fast Ford magazine dated 1990 about long-term custodian, Les Harris, who has known the car from new when delivered to Ford RS Dealers, Whites of Taunton where he worked as a Ford mechanic. He recalls fellow mechanic and workshop foreman, Walter Miller, buying the car new and always wanted to be the next owner knowing it had always been serviced by Walter at the Ford main dealer. Les took the car to a concours level and after winning the Concours d ’Elegance at Longleat Ford Spectacular it was used to illustrate Graham Robson’s classic Ford feature. Historic photos, AVO Owners Club valuation, MOT certificates, book packs and brochures are just a few of the documents included along with a few valuable awards. The most recent agreed valuation dated December 2018 is for £60,000 and is now only available due to the current owners purchase of a Mk1 Ford Escort RS1600.

MOT May 2024, HPI Clear.

Genre

Original