The Real McCoy

Fair warning: The Following article is a long one, so I advice you go put the kettle on!

In 1968, the first generation Ford Escort was debuted at the Brussels motor show. The Escort was a worthy replacement to the humble Ford Anglia, a car which served many British families as a mode of reliable transport. Much like its predecessor, the Escort was destined to be a simple and reliable everyday form of transport for the masses. What made it a sales success was down to its good looks and various trim levels that were offered to suit everyone from every walk of life. 

Its success in racing and rallying also helped sell these cars at forecourts. With the availability of twin cam Lotus engines and Cosworth tuned BDA motors, the Escort was crossing many a finish line capturing the hearts of the masses. One of these special models was the Ford Escort Mexico.

The Escorts greatest victory was at the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally, the Ford Works team was practically unbeatable during the 70’s and this gave rise to the Escort Mexico (1598cc "crossflow"-engined) special edition road versions in honor of the rally car. Introduced in November 1970, 10,352 Mexico Mark I's were built.

Featured here is one such example. Manufactured in the year 1973, it spent the next few years racing around British rally stages. In 1978 it was imported to Sri Lanka, by the late Mr. Ananda De Alwis. Mr. Ananda De Alwis is a legend in his own right, much like his car. A talented racing driver, Mr. De Alwis’s racing career has spanned a massive 54 years! In this time period this astounding gentleman has driven this very same Escort on the Mahagastote Hill Climb event for 35 consecutive years. I could go on about this amazing individual, but let’s get back to this car.

After his 50th run at Mahagastote, Mr. Ananda De Alwis retired from the racing world and this led to him selling his prized possession. Luckily it went to the right hands that have meticulously and painstakingly restored this car to a standard higher than it left the factory production line.

I first met Kishan at a Classic car event, he happened to be driving his then car, a beautiful sky blue Lancia Fulvia S1 Rallye Coupe which he had restored to near concourse standard. It was obvious the moment he acquired 8Sri5832 that it would be subjected to the same level of treatment which has lead me to write this article.

Before anything, one must explain the massive misdirection on the bubble arches. Everyone in Sri Lanka likes to think that the bubble arches (As seen on this car) came as standard on all Ford Escort Mexico’s. This in fact is not true. Many optional extras were offered to owners, and bubble arches were one of these options. You could have them on any of the 2 door AVO built cars that you intended to purchase. This particular car was ordered with the bubble arch option ticked.

Secondly the Ford Escort Mexico’s chassis and body structure is completely different to a normal Ford Escort. Known as the Type 49 Shell, Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operation division (AVO for short) built them with stiffer flitch plates and double top mounting plates for the struts, anti tramp bar mounting brackets on the chassis rails and a few other differences. The Mexico’s chassis number starts with the letters BFAT, keep that in mind the next time you see a so called ‘Mexico’ on the streets! Only 2 Mexicos are known to exist in Sri Lanka, the other currently been restored by a collector in Kandy and the car featured here is registered in the prestigious UK AVO Owners Club.

The Bodywork on this car has been completely rejuvenated, thanks to a complete bare metal strip down, media blasted & tolerance levels checked to the correct Type 49 shell chart specifications. After a considerable amount of rust protection and primer the car was booth painted back to its original shade of tangy red known as Sebring Red, the most popular colour choice of enthusiasts back then

The old school rally look is further enhanced thanks to an array of CIBIE driving lamps in front.

If you look underneath, the same level of finish is present; this is a true sign of a proper nut and bolt restoration!

The Mexico’s came with a 1598cc Crossflow motor, which sported a stronger block, stiffer crankcase, harder main bearing caps, GT spec camshaft and a twin choke Weber carb. The engine in this car though deserves an article on its own. It was sent to the UK, to be fully overhauled and blueprinted by Ford Crossflow specialist Stephen Curson of Vulcan Engineering at Brand’s Hatch, Kent, UK. Bench dyno tested to produce an Exact Power of 138hp and a Peak Torque of 133ft/lbs at 4600rpm.

This engine uses a Stage 3 unleaded Head, Kent 234 Cam with 40 DCOE twin Weber carburetors jetted and choked to match with fully lightened and balanced bottom end for Fast Road Spec.

A reliable and powerful spark is produced thanks to the fully electronic Ignition system and Competition spec Bosch coil pack. 

Fuel is delivered via a Facet high pressure pump mounted in the boot....

...and an Ashley 4-2-1 header and 2 box exhaust with 2inch piping for added back pressure which has been fully heat wrapped & secured with Superflex exhaust mounts helped direct the used gasses and give this little orange car quite a delightful soundtrack!

Cooling is taken care of by a larger aluminum radiator and Samco hoses combined with up-rated water pump and thermostat. The fit and finish on this motor is to die for! It also sits in a very clean engine bay that has been shaved and smoothened out and everything placed in a very orderly fashion! Power is delivered via its original “Bullet” 2000E close overhauled with new ring gears, brass cones and shafts combined with a quick shifter gear lever and Upgraded fast road competition clutch. The flywheel has been lightened as well and the car still retains the standard Mexio rear axle fitted with a Quaife ATB LSD.

The car sits on tasty 13 inch RS four spoke wheels by Midland wrapped with Federal tires. Kishan also has a set of Toyo R888 semi slicks just in case he wishes to take it on the track! 

And if he does take it on the track the adjustable GAZ struts and dampers combined with a complete SuperFlex poly bush upgrade lets this Escort tackle the twisty stuff too!

The same level of craftsmanship has been carried out inside the vehicle as well. 

The classic race/rally Corbeu GT driver seat and bucket seat for the passenger have been reupholstered and refinished. The same has been done to the other trim pieces and carpeting (most of them imported from the UK).

Instrumentation has been cleaned and fitted with brighter illumination and race harnesses fitted to keep everything in place. 

The lovely RS 3 spoke steering wheel has been re trimmed to retain the factory fresh look! 

A neat little addition was this period correct map light! 

*Takes a deep breath*

Never have I written so many facts about one car in a single article. But could you blame me? The fit and finish and level of detail in this resto/mod restoration is utterly breathtaking. It is always nice to feature and document such builds on forums such as this, to give a lot of us out there the motivation to finish our own personal builds. Kishan has taken a legendary car that has graced our race tracks and hill climbs and given it a new lease of life.

But most importantly, thanks to this car the Late Mr. Ananda De Alwis’s memory lives on and the generations to come will be reminded of his illustrious racing career in the Mark I Ford Escort Mexico.

A massive Thank you to Kishan for taking the time to let us shoot this wonderful piece of Sri Lankan motor sporting heritage.

By Charith Kulasiri 

Build Sheet 

Engine 

Fully overhauled and blueprinted existing 1600cc Cross Flow engine in the UK. Bench dyno tested. Exact Power 138hp at 5950rpm Peak Torque 133ft/lbs at 4600rpm . 

Suspension 

Complete bushing upgrade to Superflex poly bushes 

2” lowering blocks and front 2” lowering springs 145lbs 

Front adjustable GAZ damper  bump & rebound 

Front adjustable Track Control Arms with poly bushing 

Rear adjustable GAZ dampers for bump & rebound 

Anti Tramp bars rear and front anti-roll bar 20mm diameter 

Adjustable classic oval strut brace 

Suspension camber, toe and castor setup to Tarmac Group 4 rally spec 

Brakes

Front upgraded 247mm ventilated discs instead of solids with fast road Mintex brake pads 

Rear 9” drums standard with twin piston brake cylinders 

Fully adjustable brake bias paddle box with hydraulic clutch 

Standard Handbrake – cable operated 

Full braided brake hoses front , rear & clutch 

Fuel System 

Weber 40DCOE carbs,Facet high pressure fuel pump (HP) 

Filter king fuel regulator and filter K & N filtration 

Exhaust 

Ashley 4-2-1 header and 2 box exhaust complete system (2” system for added back pressure) 

Ignition System 

Fully electronic Ignition system with distributor and amplifier Competition BOSCH ignition coil Omex Clubman rev limiter

Transmission 

Original Bullet 2000E 3 rails semi – close ratio gearbox fully overhauled with new ring gears, brass cones and shafts 

Quick shifter gear lever 

Upgraded fast road competition clutch with extended release bearing carrier 

Lightened fly wheel 

Rear Axle with new CWP 3.77 :1 std Mexico final ratio Quaife ATB unit 

Front & rear full bearing kit & universal joints new 

New Speedo cable 

Original single piece prop shaft 

Wheels & Tires

RS four spoke 7.5j x 13 rims from Midland Wheels 205/60 R 13 Federal SS595 tires / Optional Toyo 888 semi slick tires for track day use 

Cooling System 

Airtec new radiator & cooling fan Full SAMCO silicone hose kit & SS fittings 

Up rated water pump & new thermostat 

Electrical System

Complete new wiring harness 

Battery cut-off switch 

FIA spec Competition switch panel 

New fuse box 

Battery disconnect/isolator switch 

Wasp high torque starter motor 

Cibie 9” & 7” spots with H3 bulbs H4 Halogen bulb conversion 

Head lamps with H7 bulbs Bosch dual tone horn 

Interior 

Original passenger contour bucket seat re-upholstered to original spec Classic Corbeu GT race seat re-upholstered to original spec 

Rear seat also re-upholstered to original spec

Securon 3 point ELR seat belts fitted

Period correct rally map light 

Rev counter internals changed to work with electronic dizzy by Speedy Cables UK 

Meter cluster full overhauled by a specialist in Norway 

Moonstone pattern OE hood lining from East Kent Trims UK 

Full interior Mexico trim panels from Aldridge Trimming UK 

Hardura boot carpet from Aldridge Trimming UK 

Original RS 3 spoke steering wheel re-trimmed 

Body Work 

Full bare metal strip down , new floor boards and door sills fitted, 

Full body structure cross checked against Type 49 body tolerance chart, media blasted thereafter followed by rust protection using Sikkens Epoxy 2k Primer & High Build Filler. Full 2K paint booth final paint and top coat using all Sikkens 2k paint products, Sikken HS top coat and Sikkens Slow Reducers. Done by Paint Craft.

Exterior 

Full stainless Steel bumper kit from Harington Bumpers

Full Mexico body decals from UK 

After market Webasto Sunroof restored with original working mechanism 

Period correct accessory Wingard side mirrors fitted 

Period correct Trico Stainless Steel Wiper Blades