Escort Mk1 RS1600 & Mexico

1970 was a very important year for the Ford Motor Company of GB. This was the year in which the Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO), and the Ford Rallye Sport (RS) dealer network were setup: AVO to build performance versions of the Ford range of cars and manufacture tuning equipment. The Rallye Sport dealer network to merchandise the AVO products to the public. 1970 was also the year of the Daily Mirror World Cup Rally - won by Hannu Mikkola driving a Ford Escort. In fact Escort took not only 1st but 3rd, 5th, 6th positions.

The RS1600 was announced 1970, this car was the next development step from the Escort twin cam. The RS1600 was fitted with a 1600cc BDA 16 valve engine.

1599cc, 16 valve, double over head cam, BDA

120bhp (road), 160bhp (works)

Top speed 113mph (road)

During the RS1600's life the works cars started out with 1600cc BDA, 160 bhp engine, 4 speed gearbox and finished with 240 bhp 2000cc BDA engines, five speed ZF gearbox's.

The cars that won the World Cup Rally were RS1600's fitted with 1860 pushrod engines (X-flows) instead of the BDA unit. The reason behind this was the pushrod engine was built to be bullet proof and was Ideal for a long distance event. With the success of the World Cup Rally gave us the MEXICO road car.

4 Cylinder in-line, OHV, 1598 CC (road)

86 Bhp / 92 lb ft (Road)

The Escort Mexico used the same AVO Type 49 strengthened shell that the RS1600 used, a Pushrod (X-Flow / OHV) engine was installed.

Escort RS 1600 Specification

Engine
4 cylinder in line. Cubic capacity 1601cc (97.68cu in). Bore 80.98mm (3.19in). Stroke 77.72mm (3.06in). Compression ratio 10:1. Power 115hp (DIN) @ 6500rpm. Torque 110lb/ft @ 4500rpm. Overhead valves - 4 per cylinder. Twin overhead camshafts driven by toothed rubber belt. Four branch exhaust manifold. Acceleration 0 - 50 mph 6.4 secs. Top speed 110mph plus. (Motor 9/5/70)

Engine Lubrication
High efficiency mechanical pump. Full flow oil filter. Oil cooler unit. Capacity of system 9.25pints (5.25 litres) including filter and cooler.

IGNITION
12 volt system, ballast resistor coil.

Fuel System
Mechanical pump. Electrical fuel gauge. Tank capacity 9.0 gallons (40.9 litres). Twin 40 DHLA DELLORTO carburetors.

Cooling System
Pressurized. Capacity of system 12.5 pints (7.1 litres).

Transmission
Three rail shift, four -speed synchromesh gearbox, single plate hydraulic 8 inch diameter diaphragm clutch. Ratios: 1st 2.972: 2nd 2.010: 3rd 1.397: 4th 1.00. Reverse 3.324. Final drive 3.77:1.

Body
Steel integral construction, safety glass all round with laminated windscreen. Two doors with anti-burst door locks. Air extraction vents below rear window. Single tone paint finish. Black painted aluminum grille and chrome plated front quarter and rear bumpers. Flared front wheel arches to accommodate extra wide wheels.

Rear-Axle
Semi-floating, hypoid final drive. Axle ratio 3.77:1.

Front Suspension
Independent coil springs, MacPherson struts with integral dampers and stabilizer bar.

Rear Suspension
Live Axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and radius arms. Telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers.

Brakes
Front - disc brakes, diameter 9.625in (24.44cm), swept area 190.0sq in (1225.5sq cm). Vacuum servo-assistance. Rear - drum brakes, diameter 9.00in (22.86cm) , swept area 96sq in (619.2sq cm). Vacuum servo-assistance.

Steering
Rack and pinion. Three spoke, sports, leather rim steering wheel, diameter 14in (35.6cm). Turning circle (kerb) 29.7ft (9.054m).

Wheel and Tyres
Pressed steel ventilated disc, 4 stud fixing, 5 1/2in safety ledge rim wheels, diameter 13in, 175HR 70 x 13, radial ply tubeless tyres.

Electrical Equipment
35 amp alternator with integral voltage control. Starter motor. Dual horns. Battery 12 volt, 38 amp hour at 20 hour rate. 7 fuse system.

Instruments
Binnacle in front of driver containing speedometer and odometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge and battery condition indicator. Warning lights for ignition, main beam and direction indicators.

Controls
Side/headlight, heater fan and windscreen wiper safety rocker switches, choke and starter/ignition switch with combined steering column lock. Direction indicators, main and dipped beam, headlamp flasher and horn controlled from single control stalk mounted on steering column. Hazard warning flasher. Floor mounted, foot operated washer/wiper control.

General Equipment
Two circular (quartz halogen 55/55w) headlamps with combined sidelights. Separate direction indicators below headlamps. Twin tail light assemblies incorporating direction indicator flashers, rear lights, brake warning lights and reflectors. Rear number plate illumination light. Windscreen washers and two speed wipers. High grade pvc upholstery, washable plastic headlining. Padded top to fascia and front of collapsible parcel shelf. Looped pile carpet. Individual front bucket seats with anti-tip device. Remote floor mounted gearshift. Door operated courtesy light. Reversing lights. Cowlslide map pocket. Two rear grab handles with coat hooks. Luggage compartment light. Safety styled door handles and window winders. Breakaway stem dipping rear view mirrors. Ashtray in fascia, rear ashtrays in side panels. Two padded, safety, sun visors. Face level ventilation system, vents in fascia combined with demister nozzles. Seat belts fitted to driver's and front passenger seats. (inertia Reel.) Vanity Mirror in passenger sun visor. Heated rear window.

Mk 1 Escort Mexico Specification

Engine
4 cylinder in line. Cubic capacity 1601cc (97.68cu ins). Bore 80.98mm (3.19in) . Stroke 77.72mm (3.06in). Compression ratio 9:1. Power 86 PS (DIN) at 5500rpm; 98bhp at 6000rpm. Torque 92lb/ft at 4000rpm. Overhead valves. Five main bearing crankshaft. Four branch exhaust manifold. Acceleration 0-50mph 7.9 secs. Top speed 100pmh plus. (Autocar 9/9/71.)

Engine Lubrication
High efficiency mechanical pump. Full flow oil filter. Capacity of system 8 pints (4.6 litres) including filter.

Ignition
12 volt system, ballast resistor coil.

Fuel System
Mechanical pump. Electrical fuel gauge. Tank capacity 9.0 gallons (40.9 litres).

Cooling System
Pressurised. Capacity of system 12 pints (6.8 litres)

Transmission
Three rail shift, four speed synchromesh gearbox, single plate hydraulic 7.6 inch diameter diaphragm clutch. Ratios: 1st 2.972: 2nd 2.010: 3rd 1.397: 4th 1.00: reverse 3.324. Final drive 3.77:1.

Body
Steel integral construction, safety glass all round with laminated windscreen. Two doors with anti-burst door locks. Air extraction vents below rear window. Single tone paint finish. Black painted aluminium grille and chrome plated front quarter and rear bumpers. Flared front wheel arches to accommodate extra wide wheels

Rear Axle
Semi floating, hypoid final drive. Axle ratio 3.77:1.

Front Suspension
Independent coil springs, McPherson struts with integral dampers and stabiliser bar.

Rear Suspension
Live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and radius arms. Telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers.

Brakes
Front - disc brakes, diameter 9.625in (24.44cm), swept area 190.0sq in (1,225.5sq cm). Vacuum servo-assistance. Rear - drum brakes, diameter 9.00in (22.86cm), swept area 96sq in (619.2sq cm). Vacuum servo-assistance. Dual line braking system.

Steering
Rack and pinion. Three spoke, sports, leather rim steering wheel, diameter, 14in (35.6 cm). Turning circle (kerb) 29.7ft (9.054 cm).

Wheel and Tyres
Pressed steel ventilated disc, 4 stud fixing, 5 1/2in safety ledge rim wheels, diameter 13in 165 x 13, radial ply tubeless tyres.

Electrical Equipment
35 amp alternator with integral voltage control. Starter motor. Single tone horn. Battery 12 volt, 38 amp hour at 2p hour rate. 7 fuse system.

Instruments
Binnacle in front of driver containing speedometer and odometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge and battery condition indicator. Warning lights for ignition, main beam and direction indicators.

Controls
Side/ headlights, heater fan and windscreen wiper safety rocker switches, choke and starter/ignition switch with combined steering column lock. Direction indicators, main and dipped beam, headlamp flasher and horn controlled from single control stalk mounted on steering column lock. Hazard warning flasher. Floor mounted, foot operated washer/wiper control.

General Equipment
Two circular, sealed beam 55/55w halogen headlamps with combined sidelights. Separate direction indictors below headlamps. Twin tail light assemblies incorporating direction indicator flashers, rear lights, brake lights, brake warning lights and reflectors. Rear number plate illumination light. Windscreen washers and two-speed wipers. Heated rear window. Black high grade pvc upholstery, washable plastic black headlining. Padded top to fascia, and front of collapsible parcel shelf. Looped pile carpet. Individual front bucket seats. Remote floor mounted gearshift. Door operated courtesy light. Reversing lights. Cowlslide map pocket. Two rear grab handles with coat hooks. Luggage compartment light. Vanity mirror on passengers sun visor. Luggage compartment light. Safety styled door handles and window winders. Breakaway stem dipping rear view mirrors. Ashtray in fascia, rear ashtrays in side panels. Two padded, safety, sun visors. Aluminium scuff plates to door sills. Heater and demister. Face level ventilation system, vents in fascia combined with demister nozzles. Inertia reel seat belts fitted to driver's and front passenger seats.