1972 Ford Escort Mk. I Mexico Estate Prototype
1972 Ford Escort Mk. I Mexico Estate Prototype
The Ford Escort Mexico needs little introduction, having become one of the most celebrated performance Fords of its generation. Developed by Ford's Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO), the Mexico combined the familiar Escort Mk. I styling with lively performance and motorsport-inspired engineering. Less familiar however, is the lesser spotted estate version. Just three Mexico estates are understood to have been built by AVO, making this an exceptionally rare and fascinating chapter in Ford's history. Indeed, one of the three was subsequently converted into an RS2000, leaving just two Mexico estates believed to survive in their original form.
Registered as PGU 97K, this particular example is especially well known and has a fascinating history. For a number of years from new, it served in something of a company-car capacity, being used by Peter Jopp under the registration PJ 3 until 1982. Jopp was a familiar figure in Ford circles and enjoyed a varied motorsport career, including racing a Ford Galaxie 500. The car's history is particularly well documented, with a substantial file of correspondence, period records and supporting paperwork tracing its ownership back remarkably close to its earliest days. This includes copies of the original buff logbook, a V5 registration document recording Peter Jopp's details and a remarkable run of MoT test certificates dating from its first test in 1975 through to 1993 with just a few gaps.
The Escort was extensively restored by Philip Elby during the 1990s, subsequently earning several awards. Its current owner, who has spent virtually his entire life involved with Ford Escorts, acquired the car in 2005 and has cherished it ever since. It has attended numerous shows and events over the years, collecting further trophies along the way. An especially enjoyable part of its story came when the vendor visited the house he now calls home, only to discover that the current owner had been involved in the original project. He recalled working on the estate programme and explained that the oil crisis ultimately contributed to Ford's decision not to put a high-performance estate into production, as senior management could not see sufficient demand.
Today, PGU 97K remains a wonderfully presented and highly significant piece of AVO history. The paintwork is particularly impressive, the engine bay is equally smart and the interior is understood to retain its original trim, which has survived remarkably well. The car has been recommissioned quite extensively in recent years and is a truly excellent example which virtually wants for nothing. With its extraordinary rarity, fascinating provenance and extensive history file, this is a very special opportunity to acquire one of the rarest and most intriguing derivatives of the Mk. I Escort. Consigned by Fraser Smith
Lot details
Year: 1972
Make: Ford
Model: Escort Mk. I Mexico Estate Prototype
Registration: PGU 97K
Chassis No: BFATMG11197
Odometer: 64,929
* One of just three AVO built Mexico estate prototype's
* Fascinating provenance and history file
* Award-winning example from a 21 year ownership
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