1971 Ford Escort RS Mexico 'World Cup Rally' Specification

The Ford Escort Mk1 stands as one of the most iconic rally cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Since its launch in 1967 it captured the imagination of enthusiasts worldwide, becoming synonymous with the golden era of international rallying. Driven by legends such as Hannu Mikkola, Roger Clark, Timo Mäkinen and Björn Waldegaard, the Escort proved that a compact and relatively simple design could dominate on stages across the globe. While early competition Escorts were powered by the Lotus Ford Twin Cam engine, Ford’s motorsport ambitions expanded rapidly. The introduction of the Rallye Sport models marked a turning point, with the RS1600 and later RS2000 cementing the Escort’s reputation for performance and durability. Perhaps most significant of all was the Escort’s success in endurance rallying with the defining moment coming in 1970 when an Escort won the gruelling London to Mexico World Cup Rally, inspiring the creation of the Escort Mexico and securing its place in rallying history.

The car offered here is an original Ford Escort RS Mexico first registered on 1 December 1971. In 2003 it underwent a comprehensive bare-shell restoration by a member of the RS Owners Club, during which it was refinished from its original Monza Blue into the classic Diamond White seen today. The rebuild was completed in 2004 and the car was subsequently displayed at several shows before being sold to another enthusiast. In 2013, the Escort was acquired by an owner with a clear ambition to prepare it for serious endurance competition. With the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge as its goal the car was once again stripped to a bare shell and rebuilt from the ground up. This time the brief was uncompromising, to create a robust and competitive World Cup Rally specification car capable of tackling the toughest events in the world. The build was carried out with guidance from Philip Young, the founder of the Endurance Rally Association, and no expense was spared during the two-year preparation.

The Escort was ready in time to compete in the 2015 Sahara Challenge where it delivered an outstanding result, winning its class and finishing fifth overall in a field of 40 cars. It was then further prepared for the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, during which it ran faultlessly and was leading its class and lying third overall until a hub spline failure after more than seven thousand kilometres ended its challenge. In more recent years and under new ownership, the car has continued to prove its credentials, competing successfully in the New Zealand Classic, the Alaska to Mexico Marathon and the Highland Thistle. It is now fitted with a Sherwood-built 2.0-litre Pinto engine paired with a Tractive Type 9 gearbox, a proven and highly suitable combination for endurance rallying.

Offered for sale fully prepared and with an extensive specification including long-range fuel tank, roll cage, competition seats, trip meters, auxiliary lighting and a comprehensive spares package, this Escort RS Mexico is an exceptionally competitive and well-developed historic rally car. With its proven endurance record and iconic status, it represents an ideal entry for major events such as those organised by Rally the Globe or the legendary Peking to Paris rally.