“Phil built the car
really and I just helped him do what I could,” Darren tells us. “It took so
long to do, it tried our patience a few times, but we had gone that far with it
we just had to keep going. Without the Old School Ford forum, I’d have found it
even harder. It’s like a proper community on there, and that really helped keep
morale up I think.”
1975 Ford
Escort Mk I Mexico
Prep and powder
After many long and
laborious hours of metal work the Mexico was eventually handed over to a body shop
in the final stages for them to get everything as it should be and ready for
final paint. But work didn’t stop there for Darren and while that was being
done he was busy having the all of the mechanicals powder-coated ready to be
fitted back on.
“If it’s not new it’s
been painted or powder-coated, or it’s been remade or redone — nothing went on
that was used,” states an understandably proud Darren. “But that meant it
wasn’t a quick build and we ended up missing the 2012 Classic Ford Show because
I refused to just chuck it together.”
The new, hot Cross flow
built by WPE was fitted and backed up by a 2000E four-speed gearbox and the
English axle was relieved of its tired and noisy plated LSD and fitted with a
brand new Quaife ATB. But despite the high-spec mechanicals there was never any
intention to change the look of the car from anything other than standard, both
inside and out, as being a Mexico, Darren felt it had to stay that way.
“It was just never even
on the agenda to think about changing it. This is the original interior that
came with the car, although I have had it retrimmed and the body was yellow
from the factory, so as it was a Mexico I wanted to keep it original. If it was
a 1300L I’d have probably changed the color and fitted a Pinto but it’s just
too nice and original for that.”
Wayne at
WPE was responsible for putting this 1700 motor together. With a worked head,
254 cam and 45s, it’s a peach
“Despite the high
spec mechanicals there was never any intention to change the look of the car.”
Ups and downs
It was a long and
testing build for Darren and Phil, especially considering the car only came off
the road for what seemed to be relatively minor issues, but now the car is
finished and looking as good as it does, the pair are glad they persevered. “I
lost enthusiasm a few times for it if I’m honest,” says Darren, “but you just
have to crack on and keep going. I’m well chuffed with it now. I love
everything about the car, especially how clean it is considering at one stage I
was going to bin it!”
Darren admits he would
still like a Pop to call his own, but for now he’s happy with the Mk1 and we
can see why, especially considering the journey both he and car have gone
through.
Ford
Escort Mexico Mk1 orange
|
Specs:
·
Body
Escort
Mexico, restored and resprayed, Gloss Black Mexico stripes, all new chrome
and trim, headlights and lenses, original glass
·
Engine
1700
WPE Cross flow, Lotus rods and BDA pistons, 254 cam, ported head, twin Weber
45s, 105Speed exhaust manifold and Long life custom stainless steel system,
standard radiator
·
Transmission
2000E
four-speed with standard clutch, lightened flywheel, English axle with Quaife
ATB differential
·
Suspension
Front:
Capri 2.8 struts converted to Leda coil-overs. Rear: uprated dampers, Capri
2.8i single leaf springs, 2 inch lowering blocks. Fully polybushed throughout
·
Brakes
M16
callipers and vented discs, 9 inch drums at rear, new brake lines throughout
·
Wheels and tyres
Midland
Wheels RS 4 7x13 inch alloys with 175/50R13 tyres
·
Interior
Retrimmed
by Classic Trim, Contour front seats, Springalex steering wheel
|
