Ford Escort Mexico
Overview
The Ford Escort Mexico was born out of rally heritage and built to celebrate Ford’s success in the grueling 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally. Introduced in 1970 and produced until 1974, the Mexico took the ruggedness of a rally car and combined it with everyday usability. Based on the toughened Mk1 Escort shell used in motorsport, it became one of the most beloved fast Fords of its era, offering an affordable yet thrilling driving experience.
Key Features
• Engine: 1.6L Kent OHV inline-4 (Crossflow)
• Power Output: ~86 hp
• Transmission: 4-speed manual
• Chassis: Strengthened “Type 49” bodyshell (shared with Twin Cam & RS1600)
• Suspension: Front MacPherson strut, rear leaf-sprung live axle
• Brakes: Front discs, rear drums
• Drive Layout: Rear-wheel drive
• Weight: Approx. 870 kg
Performance
• 0–100 km/h (62 mph): ~10.7 seconds
• Top Speed: ~160 km/h (99 mph)
Production Numbers
Around 10,352 Escort Mexicos were built at Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) facility in South East England, making them relatively rare and highly collectible today—especially in original, unmodified condition.
Legacy
The Escort Mexico bridged the gap between motorsport and daily driving. While not as powerful as its RS-badged siblings, it was robust, reliable, and immensely fun to drive. Its affordability and rally-bred underpinnings made it a favorite among grassroots racers and enthusiasts. The Mexico’s influence still echoes in modern Ford performance vehicles, and its no-nonsense attitude helped define what a “driver’s car” could be.
Why Buy?
With classic ‘70s styling, a lightweight chassis, and motorsport DNA, the Ford Escort Mexico delivers analog driving joy in its purest form. It’s a piece of rally history you can take to a car meet or a twisty B-road with equal pride. Whether as a collectible or weekend toy, the Mexico offers timeless appeal and genuine driver engagement that’s hard to match in today’s world.
