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LOT 143 Orange Red Video: The original ford Escort was introduced in the UK at the end of 1967,making its show debut at the Brussels Motor Show as a direct replacement for the long running Ford Anglia. The Escort production commenced at Halewood in England during the closing months of 1967 and was a commercial success in many parts of Europe. The Mark 1 featured contemporary styling cues in tune with its time, a subtle Detroit-inspired “coke bottle” waistline and the “dogbone” shaped front grille ,arguably the cars most famous stylistic feature. Mark I Escorts became very successful as a rally car, and they eventually went on to become one of the most successful rally cars of all time. The Ford works team was practically unbeatable in the late 1960s / early 1970s, and arguably the Escort's greatest victory was in the 1970 London to Mexico Rally being driven by Finnish legend Hannu Mikkola This gave rise to the famous Escort Mexico (1.6 L "Kent" engined) special edition road versions in honour of the rally car. Both the Mexico and RS1600 were built at Ford's Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) facility located at the Aveley Plant in South Essex. As well as higher performance engines and sports suspension, these models featured strengthened bodyshells making them an ideal model for rallying. This fully restored Escort Mexico has a very interesting history having been one of the cars supplied by Ford Motor Company to Brands Hatch Racing school. The main sponsor at the time was Shell Sport for use in the celebrity races and for training drivers. Used at Oulton Park, Brands Hatch and Mallory as well as the 1971 Trophy Race at Brands Hatch which was a race for Formula One team managers and former drivers, the latter all racing legends and apparently for the big race all the keys were put in a hat and drivers given a number in order to determine who got what car. When the cars were finished with they were returned to Ford and sold on to make way for the new Mk 2 with some of them given to journalists and upcoming motorsport competitors. A young 17 yr old rally enthusiast bought this car back in the early Eighties and the time the car was in a sorry state as it had been used as a club rally car for many years. The car was then restored over time and used frequently up until the early 2000s when it was discovered that this car had a famous past and infact had once been the Jack Brabham car that was raced at Brands hatch in the Race of Champions in 1971, which he won !! The owner then decided to restore the car back to the std spec of the Brabham car and the finished result is what you see here. Now having been a club rally car for many years it was indeed in a sorry state and required much work .The owner informs us that he needed many new parts and interior trim items which he sourced from all over the country finding many new old stock items as well as the correct flat 3 spoke RS Steering wheel and period sports seats. In good overall condition and ready to be used in a variety of historic races and rallies. Representing a unique opportunity to purchase an historic competition car with a well-documented history.
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