1972 Ford Escort Mk1 Mexico
Registered on 1 September 1972, this UK-market Ford Escort Mexico left the factory in Sunset Red with the characteristic white stripe, built on the Type 49 bodyshell with the 1,600cc Kent crossflow engine. After passing through several early owners it was acquired approximately 25 years ago by a private enthusiast who comprehensively rebuilt it for club rallying, fitting steel bubble arches, a Vauxhall 2-litre 'red top' engine, Quaife 5-speed gearbox, Bilstein suspension, and various other competition modifications. The car competed actively on the club rally scene over multiple seasons.
Ownership
- 2024-02-23Auction saleSold £16,000 (≈ $20K)
- 2024-02-23Auction saleSold £16,000 (≈ $20K)
- 2024-02-24Auction saleSold £16,000 (≈ $20K)
- 1972-09-01 →Early private custodians (multiple)none documentation
The car changed hands among several unidentified owners before being purchased by the current vendor; no detail is given about individual tenures.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Acquired roughly 25 years before the catalogue date with the intention of club rallying; undertook a comprehensive rebuild and competed over multiple seasons before activity ceased.
Competition
- —MSA-regulated club rallyingClub rally events (multiple seasons)
The car participated in several seasons of amateur club rallying with its current owner; competition activity ceased some years before the catalogue date and MSA papers have since lapsed.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Full shell rebuild incorporating steel bubble arches; exterior refinished in Ford Motorsport White replacing the original Sunset Red.
Work was carried out by or on behalf of the current vendor approximately 25 years prior to cataloguing, in preparation for club rallying.
- —Modification
Original 1,600cc Kent crossflow engine replaced with a Vauxhall 2-litre 'red top' unit producing around 150 bhp in standard tune, coupled to a Quaife Professional 5-speed gearbox and a bespoke propshaft driving an English LSD rear axle.
The Vauxhall engine was chosen for its greater power output and compliance with contemporary rally regulations.
- —Modification
Fitment of an aluminium radiator with integrated fan, a quick-rack steering unit with approximately 2.25 turns lock-to-lock, a biased pedal box, adjustable Bilstein dampers, an aluminium fuel cell with twin Facet fuel pumps, and wide gold Minilite-replica alloy wheels.
These upgrades were part of the same competition preparation programme as the engine and gearbox changes.
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