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A truly historic AVO Mk1 Ford Escort Mexico in RS Road Rally specification.
EQUIPMENT
Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) Type 49 heavy-duty body, front quarter bumpers, strengthened chassis rails, strengthened flitch plates, reinforced front suspension strut top mounting plates, rear radius rods, rear boot guard, safety glass, anti-burst locks, black painted aluminium grille, six pod sports binnacle, heater fan, two speed wiper. Factory Options; Reversing lights, hazard lights, cigarette lighter, heated rear window, centre console with clock, Winguard style mirrors, wiper blade spoiler. Rally Accessories; Super Oscar Cibie 100W spot lights, Cibie IODE H4 100W Halogen headlamps, circular Lucas reverse light, sump-guard, rear turrets, welded strut brace, adjustable track-control arms, alloy fuel tank with sender, Safety Devices cage, World-Cup cross member, bonnet clips, front and rear tow eyes, Brantz International 2 Pro, Halda trip meter, Don Barrow LED navigator light, battery cut-off switch, fire extinguisher, electric fan switch.
EXTERIOR
Finished in the striking factory original colour of Sebring Red, (Code N), with the correct semi-matt black Mexico decals the impressive visual impact is instant especially when fitted with many Special Build Programme extras such as the Rallye Lighting Pack. The underside is spotlessly clean in body colour for those enjoying the show scene but documented vast expenditure using competition components mean this example can be driven hard! Previously used in historic road rallies prior to restoration in 2015 by Classic & Retro Automotive Works, (the company responsible for restoring the Mexico in the hit series, ‘For the Love Of Cars’), this Mexico is registered and well known in the AVO Club and still has its original factory AVO plate and chassis plate displaying all the correct identity codes. A very desirable Ford Rallye Sport hero.
INTERIOR
Leaving no doubt to the ability of this fantastic Ford Escort Mexico is a period correct interior with everything from the optional Bucket seats with headrests to switch gear needed for rally use. Everything was rewired by an ex AVO electrical engineer and separate wiring for rally modifications have been used. Modern safety equipment has been professionally installed such as the Safety Devices roll cage and all expensive timing gear is calibrated and functional. All brake pipes and fuel lines run inside the car which is soundproofed and carpeted throughout with immaculate door cards, padded dash, instrument binnacle and roof lining. This package is hard to beat.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Nestled between the AVO Escorts inner front wings is a rebuilt Kent XFlow bored out and honed to 1660cc. In brief, it has a Stage 2 skimmed and ported cylinder head with unleaded seats, bronze valve guides and lightweight magnesium valve spring retainers with competition double valve springs. An Ajusa competition head gasket is fitted. It has four angle valve seats on the inlets and 3 angle on the exhausts with the valves backcut twice and cut to exactly the same height so all cylinders are balanced and flow well. AE Hepolite pistons are fitted with a reground crankshaft modified to give clearance for the Duplex chain. Vernier sprockets are fitted and the bottom end is fully balanced. Heavy duty ACL Duraglide competition main bearings, Glyco big end and Mahle copper thrust washer bearings have been used. The flywheel is balanced and lightened and CNC machined ARP rod bolts fitted for precision optimum reliability. A Weber 32/36 DGAV carburettor with a K&N air filter and Ashley exhaust system sounds fantastic and essential components such as uprated A127 alternator, High-Torque starter motor, electric fuel pump, high pressure and capacity oil pump, Petronix distributor all help reliability. A rebuilt bullet 4-speed gearbox with a complete upgraded clutch assembly drives the rear wheels through a 4.1 steel B54 Limited Slip Differential.
WHEELS, TYRES, SUSPENSION & BRAKES
Rallye Sport alloy wheels measuring 5.5x13 inch with genuine RS centre caps are immaculate and shod with 185/60 R13 Nankang tyres with ample tread. Vented discs are gripped by M16 calipers and EBC Greenstuff front pads and rear shoes. Aeroquip hoses help ensure safety under continue hard braking. Bilstein front suspension with roller-top mounts and new 200/60 Bilstein inserts combined with Bilstein upright Mk2 shocks work fantastically. CD8 145lbs single leaf springs, panhard rod, double width anti-roll bar, all polybushed throughout and 2.5 turn quick steering rack all give the perfect rally car fun with well predictable road handling.
HISTORY FILE
Built at Fords Advanced Vehicle Operations factory in Aveley in June 1973, this vehicle was first registered on the 9th August 1973 to Ronald Mardle of Bexleyheath. Registered with the AVO Club the vehicle was purchased by the current owner, Brian Jaggs, in October 2001 on early retirement. Mr Jaggs started road rallying in the 1970’s, initially as a Driver but his true passion was as a Co-Driver and this Mexico was purchased as a project being prepared for Concours, unfinished and in the incorrect colour of Diamond White. Work commenced on the rally conversion immediately and it was ready in 2002. Driven hard at a wide variety of events for the next 10 years including historic Road Rallies, National Road Rallies and Targa Rallies it was necessary to embark on extensive works to keep the car competitive and Classic & Retro Automotive Works were commissioned in 2015 to restore the car with substantial input from Mr Jaggs. Witnessing the eye watering invoices, fabulous show condition and effort needed, Mr Jaggs could not bring himself to compete in the car once complete so the difficult decision to sell was made. Representing a fantastic opportunity for a new owner to benefit from a phenomenal build with an iconic and genuine historical Mexico!
MOT July 2023, HPI Clear.
Original
