This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, Online Auction - 31st July on Thursday the 31st of July. BackgroundThe Ford Escort Mexico was introduced in 1971 as a direct response to the marque’s success on the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally. Hannu Mikkola’s overall win cemented Ford’s reputation for rugged, driver-focused saloons and the Mexico was conceived as a more accessible, rally-inspired variant. Built by Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) division at Aveley, the Mexico featured a strengthened Type 49 shell, uprated suspension and brakes and was powered by the lively 1.6-litre Kent engine. Lighter and simpler than its RS siblings, the Mexico quickly became a popular choice for clubman racers and road-going enthusiasts alike. In 1971, Brands Hatch Managing Director John Webb launched an initiative that would raise the Mexico’s profile even further. With support from Shell and Avon Tyres, a fleet of twenty specially-prepared Escort Mexicos was loaned to the circuit by Ford for use in a new one-make pro-celebrity race series. Known as the ShellSPORT Mexicos, these cars were finished in period racing liveries and pressed into duty at weekends for support races and during the week for driving school tuition. Each car bore an XNO registration and was prepared at AVO with only light modifications, including Bilstein dampers, Britax harnesses, a roll cage, battery cut-off and four-spoke RS wheels. The Car The car offered here, XNO 275L, is one of the original twenty ShellSPORT cars and known as Car Number 3 within the series. According to records, it took part in 22 meetings during its active competition career, finishing 21 and retiring once due to a cracked exhaust manifold. Drivers of note who piloted Car 3 include Tony Trimmer and Tom Belso, with Robin Knox-Johnson and Nicholas Parsons among the celebrities to take the wheel. Following the conclusion of the series, the majority of ShellSPORT Mexicos were either returned to Ford or dismantled. Only a handful are known to have survived. This example was purchased by the current owner in 2018 and since then has been kept in dry, secure storage, emerging only for routine maintenance, Sunday outings and occasional appearances at local classic events. Mechanically, the car remains close to the original ShellSPORT specification. It retains its modified AVO-built shell, with period-correct features including the original low-back seats and locking gearbox fitted in place of the standard steering lock. The car continues to sit on correct four-spoke alloys and displays a pleasing patina consistent with careful use over the past several decades. Although not restored in recent years, the car remains mechanically well-sorted and has been maintained with sympathetic attention. It has covered modest mileage since its earlier recommissioning and continues to start and drive well. Included with the car is a file of documentation comprising period photographs, invoices and receipts from earlier works, period publications referencing the ShellSPORT series. The car is offered for sale from private ownership and represents a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine piece of Ford’s single-make motorsport history. Location: Devon Seller: Private Photos: Professional