[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/a-quick-blast-in-a-ford-escort-rs-mexico\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/a-quick-blast-in-a-ford-escort-rs-mexico\/","headline":"A quick blast in\u2026 a Ford Escort RS Mexico","name":"A quick blast in\u2026 a Ford Escort RS Mexico","description":"A few laps around the famously motorsport-y Goodwood estate during the Revival show weekend, on some lovely back lanes, is surely the perfect way to sample this entirely standard, 1976 Ford Escort RS Mexico\u2026 This 1976 Ford Escort RS Mexico \u2013 presented here in pulsating bright red \u2013 was built in Britain by British engineers, at the Ford performance garage in Aveley, Essex. Over the years, many a special motor rolled out of this relatively small workshop \u2013 staffed by […]","datePublished":"2013-02-18","dateModified":"2013-02-18","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/DSC_8093.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/DSC_8093.jpg","height":681,"width":1024},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/a-quick-blast-in-a-ford-escort-rs-mexico\/","about":["Cars","CLASSIC CARS"],"wordCount":474,"keywords":["Classic Fords","ford","Ford Escort","Goodwood Revival 2012"],"articleBody":"A few laps around the famously motorsport-y Goodwood estate during the Revival show weekend, on some lovely back lanes, is surely the perfect way to sample this entirely standard, 1976 Ford Escort RS Mexico\u2026This 1976 Ford Escort RS Mexico \u2013 presented here in pulsating bright red \u2013 was built in Britain by British engineers, at the Ford performance garage in Aveley, Essex. Over the years, many a special motor rolled out of this relatively small workshop \u2013 staffed by quiet and considered chaps in brown overcoats, no doubt with thick glasses and big brains \u2013 brains that burned with a passion for exciting back lane handling engineering. This MK1 Mexico was arguably the car that started Ford of Britain\u2019s fine handling tradition, and as I\u2019m driving it right now, I can feel a chassis that\u2019s alive; ready and willing.I\u2019m doing back lane laps around the Goodwood estate, just as huge trucks and hundreds of show personnel are making their way to set up the retro-flavoured celebration of cool old cars, bikes and planes \u2013 the Goodwood Revival. The sun is shining, the Mexico is growling and those giant trucks seem hell-bent on my destruction.Sat super-low in the Mexico\u2019s tiny, headrest-less bucket seat \u2013 and mindful that a minter like this is worth a good stack of cash, I\u2019m really having to keep the Escort on its toes to avoid these non-stopping trucks. Thinking about it, this is probably how it was designed to be driven \u2013 fast and flicking, down rollercoaster British back lanes.With just 90bhp to be had \u2013 about the same as your average small, family yawn mobile – from a 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder engine, carburetted engine, the Mexico needs grip and cornering composure to back up its not-so-heady horsepower. And this rear-driving, quick-steering Escort chassis feels as spunky as the day it was born; one year after the bloke spinning its leather-wrapped \u2018RS\u2019 steering wheel today, in fact.She\u2019s a little softly sprung, if I\u2019m being picky, but the 4-speed \u2018box and ninety gee-gees are definitely doing the fast-forward business today, although for real apex-hunting you\u2019d want to fettle the power with brutal carbs, and modernise the brakes. It\u2019ll do around 100mph, but I ain\u2019t man enough for that, especially with these terrorising truck drivers around!She\u2019s fast enough, so lively feeling under backside and through fingers, and \u2018grrrs\u2019 with happiness right through the revs. This Escort loves a back lane blast, and every Revival punter that cannot miss the black vinyl over bright red little beaut looks \u2018well jeal\u2019 in my Mexico direction. It\u2019s a shame then that Mexicos go for big money, \u2018cos this one\u2019s a keeper.NB: \u2018Well jeal\u2019 \u2013 A rhyming truncation to describe extreme covetous envy by some overly orange people from the county of Essex. By Dan Anslow "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Classic Cars","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/classic-cars\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"A quick blast in\u2026 a Ford Escort RS Mexico","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/a-quick-blast-in-a-ford-escort-rs-mexico\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]