Registration - NES 68R

Chassis No. - GCATSK18810

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 75,647

Here we have something of a surprise package for the fast Ford fans among you – an example of the relatively rare (production was only round 2,500 examples) MKII RS Mexico that’s benefited from a number upgrades. For example, the wheel arches of its Signal Orange bodywork are filled by a set of Yokohama-shod 7Jx13 Minilite-style alloy wheels and its nose is adorned by a quartet of Cibié auxiliary lights. However, the major changes lie below the surface, where a 2.0-litre Pinto engine and five-speed gearbox have replaced the original 1.6-litre powerplant and four-speed transmission. Nor is the engine standard, for the Burton alloy cam cover sits atop a Stage 3 cylinder head that’s fed by a pair of twin-choke Weber carburettors. The vendor describes ‘NES 68R’ as being in ‘very good but not concours condition’ and is offering it complete with a selection of invoices and some history.

The Ford Escort was launched at the 1968 Brussels Motorshow. Acutely aware that the Cortina was in the autumn of its competition career, Ford’s competition department had been developing a race/rally version of the model throughout 1967, and had the Twin-Cam ready to roll at the same time its standard siblings were finding their way onto the public roads. One of the Escort’s most memorable early competition wins, was Hannu Mikkola’s victory on the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally to capitalise on which Ford created the limited edition, AVO-built Escort Mexico in time for the 1971 season. Its specially strengthened shell was fitted with Rallye Sport suspension and brakes and powered by a 1.6-litre ‘Kent’ engine. The squarer-shaped MKII version had a 1.6-litre Pinto engine in place of the Kent unit.

In summary:

• A well-presented example equipped with various upgrades
• Retrofitted with a 2-litre Pinto engine and five-speed gearbox
• Comes complete with spare 1.6-litre Pinto engine and transmission