Help Wanted ... Mk1 Escort Mexico

[351escort]

Hi all, what a great forum this is ...

I have a Mk1 Escort Mexico which was built in 1971 but not registered until 1974 (N reg).

Now i have been lead to believe that this was a race car for Dagenham Motors for the first few years of it's life.
I do not think it was used in the Mexico challenge as they all appear to have number plate's on them ( i may be wrong ).

The car was originally in Le Mans green but also has a purple/maroon and a blue under the colour that it is now.

Does anybody have any info or pictures that may help me find the history of this car.

If anybody thinks they can really help i will PM them more details of the car.
Many Thanks Darren

[Cliff Ryan]

Hi Darren,

i race a 1972 Mexico with my son Daniel, PM me with the info you have & we will see if we have anything that helps.

Best, Cliff

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by 351escort

Hi all, what a great forum this is ...

I have a Mk1 Escort Mexico which was built in 1971 but not registered until 1974 (N reg).

Now i have been lead to believe that this was a race car for Dagenham Motors for the first few years of it's life.
I do not think it was used in the Mexico challenge as they all appear to have number plate's on them ( i may be wrong ).

Hi Darren, welcome to the forum. The Shellsport Celebrity Mexicos were all batch registered for the road by Ford and standard spec but the Challenge series cars were individually prepared by their entrants, usually from road cars that had covered enough miles to get them as loose as possible. They had cages, fireproofed bulkheads plus blueprinted engines were allowed. Any sign of first two on yours? I guess it was possible for an unregistered car to be raced with false plates, then registered at a later date when sold. Sort of thing a dealer might do! As you say, cars all seem to have numberplates in pictures.

Good luck in your search for info, and if you are not in touch already, the AVO club Mexico registrar may be able to help if given the chassis number. His email addess is on contacts page.

[351escort]

Thanks you for the quick replies, Cliff i will PM you tomorrow eve when i have a bit more time.

[tony griffiths]

When I was at Willments in Mitcham we had a couple --- ran out of transporters/trailers one Bank Holiday weekend and was asked to drive to Rufforth. Amazing drive around the South and North circular ....... had to change a water pump on the way and a front strut before leaving Rufforth ...........

[GORDON STREETER]

I remember being at this race for the team managers in Mexico's and had forgot that Colin Chapman was a fair old peddler !
It's a pity it's not better quality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKjLw...eature=related

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

I remember being at this race for the team managers in Mexico's and had forgot that Colin Chapman was a fair old peddler !
It's a pity it's not better quality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKjLw...eature=related

Yes Gordon, I remember that race too.
Didn't Chunky get into trouble for practicing in 'his' Mexicort in the car park or somewhere else equally innapropriate?

[351escort]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Hi Darren, welcome to the forum. The Shellsport Celebrity Mexicos were all batch registered for the road by Ford and standard spec but the Challenge series cars were individually prepared by their entrants, usually from road cars that had covered enough miles to get them as loose as possible. They had cages, fireproofed bulkheads plus blueprinted engines were allowed. Any sign of first two on yours? I guess it was possible for an unregistered car to be raced with false plates, then registered at a later date when sold. Sort of thing a dealer might do! As you say, cars all seem to have numberplates in pictures.

Good luck in your search for info, and if you are not in touch already, the AVO club Mexico registrar may be able to help if given the chassis number. His email addess is on contacts page.

it didn't have a rollcage in it when i bought it but when i fitted one there were existing holes so can only assume it did hve one in the past, also it does have a fibreglass rear firewall that is also over the rear tubs so was done propperly . Have now noticed that although it say's registered in 74 on the log book, it also has on the front that previously reg/and or used declared manufactured 1971. so i am now going to contact dvla to see if they can shed some light on it