Model Page
Ford Escort Mexico Mk 1
Production Run: |
10,352 |
|---|---|
Production Date: |
1970 - 1974 |
Engine: |
Ford Kent In-Line 4 |
Built: |
South Ockendon(UK) |
0-60: |
10.7 secs |
Max Speed: |
100mph |
During May 1970 Ford entered a team of 7 Escorts fitted with Kent engines into the World Cup Rally that ended in Mexico, the team swept the board and came away with 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 8th positions. This victory provided Ford with the ideal opportunity to launch a new production car from the AVO (Advanced Vehicle Operations) plant in UK, the engineering team began work in earnest developing the car. The Escort Mexico became the entry level model of the RS range, neatly slotting in below the RS1600 and Twin Cam in the model line up.
Escort Mexico
In essence the car was a re-engined, re-trimmed RS1600. The car utilised the Type 49 body shell as used in the RS1600, this two door body shell came with rear radius arm brackets as reinforced chassis. As with the RS Mk 1 Escorts it was not possible to mount the engine in a conventional fashion and so the engine had to be mounted at a slight angle in the engine bay with the battery being relocated to the boot. Unlike the Twin Cam the car was fitted with round headlamps from the start of production and not square units.
At launch the Mexico was available in three colours, white, maize yellow and sunset red. The exterior was finished with large side stripes that were fitted along the length of the car in black with Mexico lettering, the striping was also applied to the roof. It was possible to order the cars without the bold striping scheme should the customer so wish but this was never a popular option. It was not until later in the production run did the Mexico become available to order in the full range of colours supplied by AVO. The car featured smart quarter bumpers finished in Chrome front and rear and was fitted with wide rim steel wheels fitted with 165/13 tyres.
Escort Mexico Engine Bay
Internally, the car did not receive the full RS1600 / Twin Cam specification. The carpets were deleted and replaced with rubber mats for example (although it was possible to order these as an option), the seats were removed and deluxe versions fitted that were not as luxurious or figure hugging as those fitted to the higher specification models. The instrumentation panel was taken from the Escort GT and featured a speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, water temp, fuel and oil pressure gauges. A deep dish three spoke steering wheel was fitted as standard.
Unlike the Twin Cam and RS1600, the engine fitted to the Mexico was taken directly from other production Ford’s at the time with no modifications being made. The engine that was installed was the Ford Kent Crossflow in-line 4 unit with a 1,599 cc displacement. This engine was fitted in the Cortina GT and Capri GT, the unit developed around 86 bhp and was highly tuneable – something that would prove very popular with owners. This version of the Kent engine was fitted with high lift camshafts and tubular exhaust manifold to increase the power over the units fitted to the standard Capri 1.6.
Mk 1 Escort Mexico
The suspension configuration was a direct carry over from the Twin Cam and RS1600, featuring lowered and stiffened suspension all round with twin radius arms being used to keep the rear axle in position. The wheels were set with a slight negative camber and the brakes used had been originally installed in the Lotus Cortina with solid discs at the front and rear drums. The gearbox and back axle was the same as that fitted to the Cortina GT and Capri GT.
The list of options was endless and included upgraded seats, new style wheels and driving lamps amongst others. The Mexico benefited from updates during its production life, with cars built after October 1972 receiving the RS1600 interior. At this time the car was installed with an in line brake servo and the battery was moved to the engine bay, new wheels were also installed to the car. In the second half of 1973, the Mexico was fitted with a radically overhauled floor plan assembly that was intended for the Mk2 Escorts that would be introduced in 1975, this necessitated the rear dampers being relocated to a more upright position.
The total run for Mk1 Mexico’s was 10,352 units, this being around double the production of the RS2000’s and dwarfed the 1,139 RS1600’s produced. Today, the Escort Mexico is highly sought after with good examples fetching in excess of £12,000.
The Facts
Engine: |
Ford Kent In-Line 4 |
|---|---|
Capacity: |
1,599cc |
Valves: |
8 |
Compression Ratio: |
9.0:1 |
Fuel System: |
Weber 32 DFM twin-choke carburettor |
Maximum Power: |
86bhp @ 5,500 rpm. |
Maximum Torque: |
92lb/ft @ 4,000 rpm. |
Transmission: |
Manual 4 speed. |
Top Gear: |
17.8mph per 1000 rpm. |
Brakes: |
Servo Assisted Front Discs / Rear Drums |
Kerb Weight: |
891 Kg |
Max Speed: |
100 mph |
0-60: |
10.7 secs |
