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

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.