FOR SALE
An AVO Club registered Mk1 Ford Escort Mexico with incredible provenance.

EQUIPMENT
Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) Type 49 heavy-duty 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. Factory fitted options; Door mirrors, contour bucket seats, cigarette lighter, clock, reversing lights, hazard warning flashers, flexible dashboard mounted map reading light.

EXTERIOR
This historically important example left the AVO assembly line finished in striking Daytona Yellow, (Code T), the desirable colour which still graces it to this day. An impeccable uniform shine, straight panel gaps and correct detailing will please onlookers and the discerning enthusiast alike. The broad decal kit is virtually unmarked and makes a bold statement compared to standard Escorts of the time. All chrome has a mirror finish, the badges correct and present and the glass is unmarked. FoMoCo rear lenses are fitted and Lucas Sealed Beam units to the front, helping to maintain correct period features. The underside and all wheel arch apertures are detailed and impeccably clean for those enjoying the show circuit. This really is a stunning AVO Mexico.

INTERIOR
Prepared to be wowed with this delightful and period correct interior. Curvaceous Contour bucket seats are a sought-after competitions department extra and along with the rest of the interior, are immaculate. The carpets, black headlining, padded dash top and door cards are undamaged. All gauges function and correct features such as the 130mph speedometer, 7,000rpm rev counter, black dipping mirror and sporting RS three-spoke steering wheel will please RS connoisseurs seeking the right appearance. The boot area is spotlessly clean housing an angled spare wheel, jack and wheel brace in the correct hessian bag. A very special interior.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Nestled between the AVO Escorts inner front wings is the Crossflow engine detailed and having enjoyed a full engine rebuild in July 2019 by Smiths Engine Service in Basildon. Improvements such as electronic ignition and hardened valves so the vehicle can run on unleaded were fitted while still maintaining the factory look. Importantly the factory original AVO plate, (not painted), and chassis plate displaying all the correct identity codes remain attached to the vehicles slam panel. 0-60mph in 10.7 seconds and a top speed over 100mph is quoted. The factory 4-speed synchromesh Type 3 2000E gearbox, as fitted to the Twin Cam and RS1600, works perfectly having also been rebuilt with short-shift for snappy precise gear changes.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Spoke-style sculptured steel wheels measuring 5.5 x 13in are finished with the correct Pearl Grey centres with stainless centre RS caps and chrome dome-ended wheel nuts, all in excellent condition. Premium Goodyear 175/70 R13 tyres fitted in May 2022 have no wear. A single-circuit braking system gripping front discs and rear drums works perfectly with a refurbished brake servo and master cylinder now using silicone DOT 5 brake fluid.

HISTORY FILE
An amazing history awaits presentation to the new owner of this special car. Built at Fords Advanced Vehicle Operations factory in Aveley in March 1973 this vehicle was registered on the 1st May 1973 to the Ford Motor Company, Warley, Essex, CM13 3BW. Archived AVO records provided by William Arnold, the RS Owners Club Mk1 RS1600 Registrar, reveal this car was owned by Ford until 22nd April 1974. During this time the car was used for display purposes. One such display was the Ford Summer Fair held at Bramcote in July 1973 where the F.A.V.O had a marquee to display a selection of Escort Mexico’s and RS1600’s under the heading of Ford Rallye Sport Scene. XWC189L was one of five cars on show next to a Mexico Group One Race Car and even Roger Clarks Rally Car!

This car has a long standing history with the AVO Owners Club and even features in the current AVO Owners Club 2022 Calendar. The current paid member, Mr Spurrier, purchased the car in June 2013 and embarked on a comprehensive restoration which can be enjoyed Here. Masses of invoices detail the expenditure and leave no stone unturned and combined with thousands of photos on a memory stick will absolutely reassure the next owner. All handbooks, spare keys and even an identical Corgi Vanguards Limited Edition model of the identical car is included! A rare opportunity.

MOT May 2023, HPI Clear.

Genre

Restored