Entering production in November 1967 as a replacement for the Ford Anglia 105E, the Ford Escort was built at the Halewood plant in Merseyside, England as a low-cost family car, which went on to become a commercial success across Europe and the United Kingdom. As it grew in popularity though a mixture of its affordability and small body performance, it became prolific staple in motorsport, with appearances in the British Touring Car Championship, European Touring Car Championship, and European Rally Championship.
In 1970, a selection of Escorts competed in the London to Mexico World Cup Rally, a 16000 miles (25749.5 km) World Cup Rally from the Wembley Stadium in London to the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City.
It spanned six weeks from April 19th to May 27th, with competitors driving from London, England prior to a section through Europe; France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Portugal; and then a boat journey from Lisbon to Rio De Janeiro for the second section across South and Central America through Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, and ending in Mexico.
Although the event had very little restrictions, many competitors chose mass-produced cars and modified them to meet the demanding route for the event. The Ford Motor Company Limited entered with five teams, with each driving 1850 GT models, and all of which managed to complete the event within the top ten of twenty-three finishing teams.
The winning car, #18 of the Daily Telegraph-Ford Motor Company Limited team, was driven by Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm. Their victory set the first generation Escort as a rally icon and was celebrated with a "Mexico" trim made available in November 1970 fitted with 1598cc "crossflow" Kent engines, prior to the introduction of the RS1600 trims fitted with 1601cc Cosworth BDA engines.
Statistics[]
Speed 4.5
Handling 4.8
Accel 4.6
Launch 3.5
Braking 4.1
Offroad 7.3
B 636
Availability
Barn Find:
Complete the La Gran Caldera rumor
Wheelspin:
Can not be won from a Wheelspin or Super Wheelspin
Auction House:
Can be purchased or bid on through an Auction House listing
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