We all have a list, however short, of cars that we love and tell no one about because we’d probably be mocked by our pals. I have two cars on that list and this is one of them. I will some day own a Mk1 Ford Escort just like this one that I found on eBay yesterday and I will also own a Lotus Cortina. Both of these cars are tough to find but had great racing heritage in their day. Wily little cars from a bygone era and I want them both. I couldn’t even find a Lotus Cortina for sale on eBay at all which is how I cam upon this gem. As stated previously, this is a 1970 Mk1 Ford Escort, none of which were actually sold in the USA. This car actually was first registered in Macedonia in 1970! It must have led one interesting life, ultimately ending up here in the hands of a guy in Maryland who is now selling the old girl.

The reason that the car says “Mexico” on the doors is because this was a special edition of the Escort made to commemorate the London to Mexico Rally which was run in 1970. The mini-lite wheels, big fog lamps, spartan interior, and left hand drive make this one totally perfect. Obviously restored, the seller claims that this is a real “Mexico” model with all of the right equipment and VIN decoding to prove it. Power comes from a 1.6L Kent four banger which appears to be largely stock with perhaps the addition of a tube header. There’s a K&N air cleaner, and a new alternator. The engine is hooked to a four speed manual transmission. Would it be a rocket ship? Heck no, but this car is a really well balanced old machine. It would be super fun to run through the mountains and at autocross events, etc. The suspension has been upgraded with bigger sway bars, adjustable shocks, and a quick ratio rack. Also, there are lowering blocks in the rear along with new bushings in the control arms, etc.  The axle has been swapped for a stronger unit referred to as an “Atlas”. We’re not sure of its origin. The interior has cool (factory installed) Recaro seats and all original carpeting, gauges, etc. It looks fantastic.

This car is driver to the core. The paint isn’t perfect and it has its fair share of little blemishes here and there, which actually makes us want it more. Rolling this thing into a car show would be fantastic because half the people wouldn’t know what it was and the other half would pretend to and be very wrong. The driving experience would be fantastic and the fun potential here is virtually limitless. Yes, I’d want to put one of the new tiny EcoBoost engines in it for fun after the little 1.6L Kent mill wore out is welcome. So much want!

SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS, VIDEO (OF THIS VERY CAR) AND THE EBAY LINK  FOR THIS 1970 Escort Mk1 1600GT

eBay Ad Link: 1970 Mk1 1600GT Ford Escort – London to Mexico Rally Edition