Description
Unexpectedly back on the market due to the buyer being unable to complete the transaction.
I have been offered the opportunity to buy the car of my boyhood dreams.
Therefore, to enable me to secure my dream car I have reduced the price of my Mexico to encourage a quick sale.
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Part of a private collection of fast fords and modern classics and having been in my ownership for some 12 years.
A very rare, and early, battery in boot car with all the correct details on the shell and interior as would be expected for an early, (May) 1972 car. Manufactured at the Aveley factory, as verified by the original VIN Tag and AVO build plate. (The original, and fragile VIN tag is in the history file for safe keeping).
The car has the original, and correct basic “L” spec. type AA vinyl interior, and is fitted with reversing lights, cigarette lighter and hazard warning flashers, which all matches the VIN tag and the AVO build plate.
Just 4 previous keepers. The first keeper being the supplying Ford RS dealer (Wrights of Cambridge, registered 11 May 1972) and showing just 85000 miles (believed genuine). Kept by Wrights for 10 months, presumably as a demonstrator before sale to its first private keeper.
All former keepers resided around East Anglia and the car was showing just 21500 miles in 1985 having had only 2 local owners at that point. I have the DVLA print outs of all former keepers and dates of acquisition and sale.
The car is registered with the AVO owners club.
The Mexico is extremely original, having the correct 8000 rpm tachometer and 140 MPH speedometer, original silver airbox, grey interior rear view mirror, remote Girling Mk2A brake servo, stainless steel gutter trims, correct non cut out rear bumper, original correct door cards, lock pins and the original 2000E 4 speed gearbox. It even retains its original set of Ford keys. The car was originally restored by the third keeper between 1985 to 2000 where it underwent a bare metal respray and many replacement panels. Engine was rebuilt and capacity increased to 1640cc. It was refinished in Ford radiant red at this point. There are several photographs in the history file depicting this restoration
The previous keeper from whom I bought the car, acquired it in 2000 and completed the stalled restoration. He went on to use it as his daily transport until September 2004 clocking up a staggering 50, 000 miles, which even included trips to Le mans. The car was then dry stored from 2004 in his (retired mechanic) father’s garage until purchased by me in 2012.
It was always my intention to restore the car back to the original factory specification and that is what was completed during 2013 to present.
The restoration
After viewing many cars I chose UEB 99K due to its originality and solid condition, it was the wrong colour and the paint was in poor condition, but I was happy to repaint as it would be stripped for restoration anyway.
It was always the intention throughout the restoration to retain as many original parts as possible and repaint or replate ancillary items where necessary. Where parts were to be replaced, they were sourced from marque specialists such as Stage 1 motorsport, GS classic fords and Escortrs. The fixings for the running gear and brakes were replaced as it seemed unwise to reuse 50 year old nuts and bolts. The factory correct nuts and bolts were sourced from the above suppliers, even though they are largely unseen.
The bodyshell was completely stripped and taken back to bare metal, any rot was cut out and new metal welded in. The corrosion was minimal and was mainly restricted to the drivers A pillar and the rear arches. Repainted in cellulose in its original factory colour of Daytona yellow. The underside and wheel arches have been finished in body coloured stone chip, which looks fantastic against the powder coated and 2 pack painted suspension components.
Engine stripped and rebuilt with new piston rings, oil pump, water pump etc. Cylinder head ported and uprated for unleaded fuel by Throbnozzle engineering. The engine is the correct 711M item and has the big wing sump. It has a performance cam, electronic ignition and rebuilt carburettor, ensuring reliability and lively performance. FoMoCo radiator recored and repainted, all hoses replaced with NOS/ OEM items where possible. Heater rebuilt and repainted, pedal box rebuilt with new master cylinders and repainted, wiper mech rebuilt and repainted. Photographs of this and other processes are in the history folder.
Suspension completely overhauled, rebushed, powder coated and painted. Single leaf springs with lowering blocks, Spax adjustable rear shocks, Bilstein struts at the front.
Brakes are new M16 calipers, discs and rear shoes. All new fuel and brake lines from Trevor at Stage 1 Motorsport, overhauled Girling Mk2a Servo, New master cylinder and overhauled/ painted pedal box
The original wiring loom was stripped, cleaned, and retaped using the correct grey tape. All the original grey plugs and connectors were refurbished and retained. A new full length, correct spec. battery cable was purchased from stage 1 motorsport to complete the electrics.
The original seats were deep cleaned, and any worn/ perished material was replaced by a local highly skilled “old school” vehicle trimmer. Instruments and switchgear were refurbished.
The final assembly of the car was entrusted to marque experts “GS Classic Ford” and was completed in 2022 with virtually no use since. Subsequently an amount of “shakedown” and running in will be required, after which I would recommend a rolling tune to ensure the optimum performance.
