By Classic Yorkshire contributor, Tony Lofthouse
A rare Ford Escort Mexico is attracting ‘very strong interest’ ahead of its auction sale next month.
The 1970 model is believed to be the oldest surviving Escort from Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) performance line.
The car was one of only a handful of ‘launch’ Mexico’s built in October 1970, shortly before official production began.
Auctioneers H&H Classics say the car has been carefully restored to its original specification and is expected to fetch up to £70,000.
Not bad when you consider the Mexico cost £1,150 when new.
The sale model has an ‘LVX’ Ford press registration plate and in its early days was used by Hendon Police College to test trainee drivers.
It is finished in the original Sunset Red paintwork and left the factory without the popular stripes found on Mexicos.
Paul Cheetham from H&H Classics says: “This Mexico is one of the first Ford Escort Mexico’s to be produced – believed to be one of only four – before official production started.”
The Mexico car was built at Ford’s factory in Aveley in Essex and was fitted with a 1600cc ‘Kent’ engine. It had a top speed of 99 mph and could reach 0-62 mph in 10.4 seconds.
For more details on the model going to auction click www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-1970-ford-escort-mexico/