Retroford Magazine Present Old Skool Fords’ 3rd Display Car at NEC 2024
Would any of the major manufacturers today be able to market an estate car with just two passenger doors? That just wouldn’t seem to make sense. Back in the ’70s though it was common practice. You even had the likes of Range Rover doing it and these cars now have a huge following and a price tag to match.
Ford offered a three-door estate in the first four generations of the Escort, only discontinuing it when the Mk5 arrived in 1991. In the rest of Europe it was ever popular and known as the Kombi.
Ford started production of the Escort Mk1 in January 1968 and a 3-door estate was introduced at the end of March 1968. In June 1974 Ford hit 2 million cars built. The exact number of Mk1 & Mk2 Escort estates that were made is not clear but it is thought to be approximately 150,000.
The estates retaining of the coke bottle styling on the Mk1, together with the sweeping lines over the rear arches and the one piece curved side windows made the car pleasing on the eye. Add to that its vast load space, accessed through the rear single piece door, and you had a winner. Ford obviously thought they couldn’t improve on it as they retained the main part of the car and just grafted on a new grill when they launched the Mk2 - or was it just cost cutting or use of leftover parts? They did this to the van too!
Many people growing up in the 70’s will have seen TV rental companies Rediffusion and Radio Rentals employees using the vast space that the estate offered in the week for work and then as a family run about at the weekend. The vehicles often in Daytona Yellow had their side windows blanked out and the company logo in its place. Given their heavy use by families, as small business commercial vehicles and dreaded rust many were scrapped as they became life expired. They are now scarce with the resulting price inflation to boot.
Many strange events happened in the 70’s and few are aware of the small number AVO (Advanced Vehicle Operations) built Mexico Estates. Ford were ahead of their time when we look back now. Look at the fast touring estates that have graced the forecourts from BMW, Audi, Subaru and Mecedes today. Back in the 70’s though if you mentioned an Escort Mexico and estate in the same sentence you would have got some funny looks. Ford commissioned Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) in 1972 to build just such an estate, nevertheless.
The sporting tourer was based on a heavy duty (HD) export shell with all the strengthening found on the type 49 shells used on the saloons. The engine, suspension, running gear and interior from the saloon was then installed and voilà a Mexico or 1600GT estate was ready for Ford to evaluate. Sadly, the timing of these sporting tourers was far from ideal and perhaps if it wasn’t for the 1973 fuel crisis then more ‘Mexico’ estates may have been made!
Reminiscent of the 70’s Ford sporting tourer, OldSkoolFords third display car, on stand 8-090 at the NEC Classic Car Show 2024, is Mark’s 1974 built and registered Mk1 Escort Estate 1600GT, in Vista Orange.
AVS 639N, started life as an HD export shell, and was exported to Portugal while still in primer. At Ford’s Lisbon plant, it was completed and finished in Vista Orange. The car was imported into the UK in 2016, with very little of its history in Portugal known other than that it was registered on the 24th Sept 1974, bought by Armaldo Gaidaso on the 17th Oct 1974 from A. Camilo Fernandas Ford Dealer in Lisbon. Thus, having been in a hot country all its life and having light use, the shell was in very good condition.
Mark purchased the car in 2019 with the main repair works being carried out in 2017/18 by Les, Shelley and Jason from Bradford. As it was an HD Export shell (strengthened) Mark wanted to do some period upgrades and modifications, so with that in mind, it has a re-built 1600GT crossflow engine, type 2 gearbox and 3.54 diff, a single piece prop, a 32/36 weber carburetor, some suspension, braking and cooling system upgrades.
The car has won many local and regional show awards and constantly turns heads with its true 70’s retro styling. It’s always driven to shows and complete with its iconic 6 pot dash and map light is true to its ‘Mexico’ saloon and estate siblings complete with that sprinkle of the distilled racing essence of AVO.
Retroford Magazine features this car in the October 2024 issue - “The Way of the Ford” and are proud to support this true retro Ford on its second time at the NEC Classic Car Show in 2024.