Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 2,500 Built
- Years
- 1975–1978
- Engine
- 1,600 cc / 1.6 LFactory: 1,600 cc
- Power
- 70.8 kW / 96.3 PSFactory: 95 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 169 km/hFactory: 105 mph · converted
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Mk2 Mexico replaced the popular Mk1 Mexico as the affordable, fast-Ford Escort of the late 1970s. It was built in Germany with a 1.6 litre overhead-cam Pinto engine rather than the Kent crossflow of its predecessor, and sold in much smaller numbers; it was overshadowed by the RS2000 Mk2 that was built alongside it.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Ford Escort RS Mexico (Mk2) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Sicnag · CC BY 2.0
Ford Escort RS Mexico (Mk2) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia · CC BY 2.0
Ford Escort RS Mexico (Mk2) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia · CC BY 2.0
_RS_Mexico_1.6_2-door_sedan_(22017704655).jpg){kind=link}
_RS_Mexico_1.6_2-door_sedan_(21830798339).jpg){kind=link}
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory package productioncars sold (around) | 2,5001,2 | Factory production | Factory reported |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The Mk2 Escort RS Mexico was produced between November 1975 and July 1978, and all UK-market cars were built at Saarlouis in West Germany. It ran alongside the Escort 1600 Sport and the Mk2 RS2000. Only around 2,500 were sold over the period.
To fit the 1.6 litre Pinto engine into the standard Mk2 shell a number of parts were changed, including an aluminium alloy sump, engine mounts and alternator bracket. Buyers could choose from ten paint colours, and the interior was available only in black.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Escort RS Mexico (Mk2).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | S4OC3 Independently researchedS3 gives 1593 cc for the engine code S4OC; S1 and S2 say 1600cc. |
| Layout | Not yet verified |
| Displacement | 1,600 cc / 1.6 LFactory: 1,600 cc4 Registry reported |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Valvetrain | Overhead cam (Pinto)1 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 70.8 kW / 96.3 PSFactory: 95 hp · converted4 Registry reportedSource states bhp. |
| Power at | 5,750 rpm1 Independently researched |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | 41 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | RWD3 Independently researched |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Independent MacPherson struts with Sachs dampers1 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Timken-type live axle, forward-facing radius arms, multi-leaf springs, Sachs dampers1 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Rack and pinion, not power-assisted1 Independently researched |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 169 km/hFactory: 105 mph · converted4 Registry reported |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| 0–60 mph | 9.1 s4 Registry reported |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
A genuine UK-market Mk2 Mexico was built in Saarlouis, Germany, with the 1600 cc Pinto overhead-cam engine (95 bhp), a four-speed Type-B gearbox, rack-and-pinion steering and a Timken-type rear axle on forward-facing radius arms. Standard wheels were 5.5 x 13 inch steel or optional 6J x 13 inch four-spoke alloys on Pirelli 175/70 x 13 CN36 tyres. Inside it has Scheel Recaro-style front seats, as on early Mk2 RS2000s, an all-black interior, and a five-needle instrument cluster.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Escort Mk2 RS Mexico Level A Ford RS Owners Club UK
- Only around 2500 MKII Mexicos were sold over this period
- 1600cc overhead cam Pinto unit
- 95bhp at 5750 rpm
- 4 speed Type-B unit featuring a quick shift action
- Front suspension was via independent MacPherson struts and Sachs dampers
- The rear also used Sachs dampers with multi-leaf springs
- Steering was non power-assisted and used a rack and pinion
- 2
-
3
Ford Escort RS Mexico Level B Classic & Sports Car
- Engine 1593cc (S4OC)
- Front engine, rear-wheel drive
-
4
Ford RS Owners Club, RS models overview Level B The Ford RS Owners Club
- Escort Mk2 Mexico Engine cc: 1600 (RS models overview)
- Escort Mk2 Mexico Engine bhp: 95 (RS models overview)
- Escort Mk2 Mexico Top Speed: 105mph (RS models overview)
- Escort Mk2 Mexico 0-60mph: 9.1 (RS models overview)
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