Description:

The car being offered for sale here is an original RS Mexico that was registered on 1 December 1971. In 2003, it was treated to a ground-up, bare-shell restoration by a member of the RS Owners Club, a process that included respraying the car from its original Monza Blue to Diamond White.

The rebuild was completed in 2004 and, after being displayed at a number of shows, the Escort was sold to another enthusiast two years later. In 2013, it was acquired by a new owner who wanted to prepare it for the 2016 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge. The car was therefore once again stripped to a bare shell and comprehensively rebuilt but this time to World Cup Rally specification at the behest of Philip Young, the founder and true inspiration of the Endurance Rally Association.

No expense was spared during this two-year process, and the Escort was ready in time to compete on the 2015 Sahara Challenge – it won its class and finished fifth overall in a 40-strong field. It was then overhauled in preparation for the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, on which it was leading its class and running third overall until a hub spline sheared after 7,000km, ending its chance of a podium finish.

In more recent years, and now in the hands of a new owner, the Escort has competed on the New Zealand Classic, the Alaska to Mexico Marathon, and the Highland Thistle. Now fitted with a Sherwood-built 2-litre Pinto engine and a Tractive Type 9 gearbox, it’s offered for sale having been meticulously prepared for endurance rallying and having already proved itself on some of the world’s most testing events.

Website:

https://rpsrally.com/1971-ford-escort-mk1-mexico-long-distance-rally-car/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/RPSRallyLtd

Keyword Search Terms:

Rally, Peking to Paris, Endurance Rally, Mexico, World Cup Rally