DON’T MISS OUT
‘Unmissable opportunity,’ hails expert as ultra rare Ford Escort just one of four ever made hits market
Pictures reveal state of the motor ahead of its sale
AN "ULTRA-rare" Ford Escort that was just one of four ever made has been listed for sale.
Paul Cheetham, motor car specialist at H&H Classics, labelled the sale on October 9 an "unmissable opportunity".
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The 1970 Mexico edition is believed to be the oldest known surviving Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) car.
AVO produced Ford's high performance road production cars that were hugely popular at the time and continue to attract intense interest today.
The "highly significant" model, which is just one of a handful of 'launch' Mexico's built in October 1970, the month before official production began, is expected to fetch between £60,000-£70,000.
Auctioneers H&H Classics say the car was comprehensively restored to exacting original specification with over £60,000 reputedly spent.
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The model for auction has an 'LVX' Ford press registration plate, and during its time with Ford the car was lent to Hendon police college to test against trainee pursuit drivers. It was subsequently bought by a police officer from the driving school.
Paul added: "It's a privilege to offer this 1970 Ford Escort Mexico AVO car for auction.
"It is an unmissable opportunity for any fast Ford fanatic as opportunities to acquire AVO cars with such provenance are truly unrepeatable.
"This Mexico is one of the first handful of Escort Mexico's produced, believed to be one of four, before official production began.
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"It is also the joint second Mexico registered, being registered new to Ford Motor Company on December 4th 1970.
‘Time capsule’ Ford kept in ORIGINAL plastic packaging to sell for huge price
"We expect there to be strong interest in this very special model at our auction in October."
The car will go under the hammer at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, on October 9.
It comes after a stunning Ford that's had its plastic packaging kept on for nearly two decades was expected to sell for a huge price.
And a sports car from a long-forgotten brand that went extinct has been listed for sale for less than £10,000.
History of the Ford Escort Mexico
The Ford Escort Mexico was launched in October 1970 and built at Ford's factory in Essex.
It became one of the most popular motors of the era and sold for £1,150, which would be around £14,500 today.
In a sign of its age, the windscreen washer control was a foot-operated button mounted on the floor so the driver could keep both hands on the steering wheel.
Additional extras would-be owners could choose between include a stripe kit, roof in red, white or back, a cigar lighter and map reading light.
It had a top speed of 99mph and 0-62mph time of 10.4 seconds.
By early 1971 Ford started offering to option packs - the Custom and Clubman.
The Custom Pack gave customers extra sound deadening, a plush black carpet, 'comfort contoured' seats and a radio.
While the Clubman Park was for those who wanted to go rallying - with four seven-inch spot lamps complete with plastic covers and a roll cage.
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