Description

FOR SALE
An early Mk1 Ford Escort Mexico with massive history and AVO Club registered.

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 Options; Reversing lights, hazard warning lights, cigar lighter. Dealer Accessories; Ziebart body protection, Speedblade wipers, Ford mudflaps, lockable fuel cap, inertia front seatbelts, flexible map reading light.

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 vital components such as the rear stone deflector held in by eight bolts in the boot floor and strengthened AVO workmanship all laid bare to see. The chrome, glass and badges are immaculate with all glass being the genuine Ford Triplex items including the front screen. A previous National Day contender in the early 2000’s a few minor blemishes now exist such as a split rear window rubber and small bleb to the drivers door, but absolutely do not detract from the overall striking show appearance. Panel fit is excellent, many still protected by the Ziebart rust protection applied when new and the rear arches are correctly rolled. The lens units are FoMoCo and the front Carello headlamps are protected by clear dome covers. 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 original black one-piece rubber floor mat is spotlessly clean and the flexible map reading light works. The doors cards are undamaged and the black headlining has no rips. The removable ice-scraper is still present and a twin 12v/USB charger point has been neatly fitted. The boot area has the early Mexico’s battery-in-boot setup meaning the spare wheel is mounted to the boot floor. The boot mat is original and incredibly the rear cardboard boot spring protector is present along with black light protectors undamaged. The jack and wheel brace are within the original fawn muslin bag held down by correct rubber band. Spectacular.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Spectators will gasp in amazement under the bonnet of this desirable early Escort Mexico as it is so clean. The matching numbers 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 Weber 32/36 DGV-FA carburettor will please scrutineers. The top plate reveals the chassis number and 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 Good Year GT Sport 175/70 R13 tyres with ample tread. The remote servo-assistance brakes powered by the early Girling Powerstop AHV 550 Mk2A helps grip the front discs and rear drums adequately.

HISTORY FILE
Built at Fords Advanced Vehicle Operations factory in Aveley in May 1972, this vehicle was supplied by Ford Rallye Sport dealer, Broadspeed Limited in Leamington Spa to a Mr C G Blake. Registered on the 14th June 1972, the New Vehicle Invoice reveals a total price paid of £1199.00 to include seat belts and Ziebart protection. Just four former keepers since, all absolute enthusiasts including AVO Owners Club RS1600 Registrar, William Arnold for 13 years until recently. A colossal history file neatly contained within two large A4 files spans the entire life of the car from the initial order form in 1972 through to the latest service using Ford Motocraft items in July 2024. Historic MOT certificates, maintenance invoices and many AVO Club Valuations, including an early one from Mexico Registrar Andy Percival for £2,750, make reassuring reading. A detailed file to include many photos of the meticulous restoration carried out in the late 1990’s, which is also magazine featured, is a testament to how well the car presents today over two decades later. Such was the standard that when complete in April 2000 and on the cars first outing to AVO National Day, it achieved a third in class win and was invited onto the AVO Club Stand at the Classic and Sports Car NEC Show in November 2000. Two sets of keys and even the original service book are present. With many expensive fakes being unwittingly offered to market, this example stands out as the real deal with absolute provenance.

MOT May 2025, HPI Clear.

To see a video of this car please copy the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xgDDmxGoUw

To see a complete set of photographs of this car please copy the link below:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kgfclassiccars/albums/72177720319367509/

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