1973 Ford Escort Mk1 Mexico Shell and Parts *Sold £8,600*

Description

• Genuine AVO Mexico
• Matching numbers
• Original log book
• In storage since 1988
• First time to market in 38 years
• The Mexico is for sale as a shell and parts

The classic Ford Mexico was the most successful of the RS (Rally Sport) Escorts and the most sought after at the time and today. Even now, dropping down behind the wheel, there is an instant sense of occasion. Fire it up and blip the accelerator. You’re met with a sharp, crisp throttle response. Set off and the controls are precise and pure. Give it a little welly and the distinctive raspy Mexico sound makes you grin so much your cheeks will ache. What a car!

Launched to the public in 1967, the Escort Mk1 was an instant hit becoming Ford’s best seller.

When an Escort, driven by Hannu Mikkola and prepared by Ford Motor Company’s Motorsport Team at Boreham in Essex, smashed the gruelling 16,000 mile London to Mexico Rally taking five of the top ten spots, Ford knew it had to capitalise on that success.

In 1970 Ford launched the Escort ‘Mexico’. The legend was born and no other car since has come near it really.

Background

This Mk1 Ford Mexico has been owned by Bill Gwynne of Bill Gwynne Rallyschool International Ltd.

• Bill’s motorsport career began in 1953 aged 13
• He won the first motorcycle event he took part in
• He went on to win three National Motocross Championships
• Bill ran the world’s very first motocross training school in the 1960s
• He also operated rally driving schools throughout the world
• The most successful student Bill coached went on to win two World Rally Championships

Along with that, Bill added five National Rally Championships in the late ‘70’s

Just for good measure Bill added a further two National Motocross Championships in the early 2000’s and continued competing until July 2018, driving ex-Carlos Sainz Escort Cosworth at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Rally Stage

History

This Mexico was purchased in 1984 and prepared and used as a rally school car (see below).

In 1988 the classic Ford Mexico went in to storage. This is the first time this Mexico has come to market in nearly 40 years.

In conversation with Paul Gwynne, amongst other things, this is what he told us;

“The Mexico was purchased by Bill Gwynne in 1984 and built as a Rally school car. It was used in the school until 1988 then put into dry storage.

The shell is in good condition, largely original with modifications mainly to the tunnel and engine bay. There is some rust but no rot, there are some small holes captured in the images. It has the original engine with matching numbers. The car is for sale as a shell and set of parts.”

The Escort Mk1 Mexico

Body / Parts – original

• 1 x Original Mexico Body Shell
• 2 x Original doors
• 1 x Original boot lid
• 1 x Original bonnet
• 3 x Rear lights
• 1 x Pair headlights
• 2 x Rear quarter trims
• 1 x Pair indicators
• 1 x Pair door locks
• 1 x Wiper motor
• 1 x Set door handles inside & outside
• 1 x Pair window winders
• 1 x Pair window winder handles
• 1 x Pair bonnet hinges
• 1 x Pair door handles
• 1 x front grille
• 1 x front panel (new)
• 1 x RS Mexico steering wheel
• 1 x Dash Fascia
• 1 x 140mph instrument cluster – trip button requires repair
• 1 x wiring loom
• 2 x rear quarter trims

Engine & Mechanicals

• 1 x 711M Engine – matching numbers
• 1 x AVO Sump
• 1 x handbrake
• 1 x radiator
• 1 x pair anti roll bar brackets
• 1 x Heater box
• 1 x world cup x-member
• 1 x wiper motor etc
• 1 x washer bottle
• 1 x 2000E gearbox
• 2 x slipper springs
• 1 x flywheel
• 1 x pair spring hangar brackets
• 1 x pair spring hangars
• 1 x pair spring shackles
• 1 x pair anti-tramp bars
• 1 x air horns
• 1 x wiper blades
• 1 x front cross-member / suspension / brakes
• 1 x rear axle / brakes
• 1 x Salisbury axle
• 1 x wiper linkage
• 1 x steering rack
• 2 x original key

Summary

You do not need us to tell you how good Mexico’s are or how they are.

This Mexico represents an unapparelled opportunity.

• Owned and used by a super knowledgeable and well respected vendor
• Unlike some Mexico’s, this one is the first time it has come to market for nearly four decades
• Dry stored since 1988

We also don’t need to remind you where Fast Ford values have been heading for the last few years.

What we should say is wherever the market is right now or whatever value the individual or the successful bidder attaches to this, the reserve is set well below the current sky high market values.

What an opportunity. We cannot cover everything in a short description and you are bound to have queries. Given the expected interest we have a small team standing by to answer them promptly for you. Good luck.

Vehicle Location: With our Trade vendor in Northants NN13– it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Have a question about this Ford Mexico? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

 Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s are worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at auction@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to ring you back and discuss, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

We will always strive to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available. However, we can’t claim to be perfect. Your own analysis is very important and we are here to help and also answer any and all queries you may have prior to purchase.

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As with all vehicles of a certain age, localised paint repairs are common. This specifically applies with classics.

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