EVERY MONTH WE AIM TO BRING YOU A FEATURED CAR FROM THE BRITISH MOTOR INDUSTRY HERITAGE TRUST'S COLLECTION THAT IS CURRENTLY ON SHOW AT THE HERITAGE MOTOR CENTRE

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1970 FORD Escort mark I London-Mexico rally car

This car will be featured at the Heritage Motor Centre marque, at the Coventry Car Run, Memorial Park, Kenilworth Road , Coventry all day Sunday 5 September.

Originally driven by Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm, this Escort was the winner of the 1970 London to Mexico Rally. Powered by an 1830�cc � Kent ' pushrod engine, the car generated 140�bhp.

Modifications to the car include the fitting of an Atlas rear axle, a roll cage, magnesium alloy wheels rims produced by MinuikliteMinilite and Cibie spot lamps. The re-designed fuel tank can hold 30 gallons and all flammable material was stripped out of the interior.

The Rally commenced at Wembley Stadium, London on 19th�April. No fewer that 96 cars started the Rally but by the finish at Mexico City on 27th�May, only 23 competitors had survived the 16,000�mile journey.

In 1995, Ford entered the second London-Mexico Rally and built a new Escort mark I that superficially resembled the original 1970 car. Driven once again by Mikkola and Palm, the Escort repeated its Rally victory.

1970 FORD Escort mark I London-Mexico rally car

�Engine: 4 cyl, 1830 cc

�Top Speed: 140 mph

�Coachwork: rally car

�Price new: not known

�Registration mark: FEV 1H

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