mk1 mexico (authentic???)

[gibbo25]

Hello people, i've not been on here for a while but i have nearly bought a mk1 mexico avo type 49 shell? all i really know that it looks like a lovely mexico! BUT- HOW CAN I CHECK THAT IT'S A GENUINE MEXICO, WHAT CAN I LOOK FOR WHEN LOOKING AT THE CAR AND PAPERWORK.

Don't want to sound too new to all this old skool ford, but i've only owned a tidy 1980 mk2 4 door 1.3l in the past and no one would really try and sell a fake one of those. Question being what does the avo and type 49 shell mean? and i think these are good things to say the vehicle has, how can i be sure i'm not being lied too!! cheers for any replys stewart

[73mexicoboy]

There are many tell tale signs for 49 shell, I can think of a few off the top of my head.

The chassis number should start BFAT (make sure log book and car match) there should also be another plate on the right of the slam panel, this will be an avo plate and will contain the details of the original spec of the car. As for the shell itself look for strengthening plates on the inner wings, strut tops double plated, underneath the Boot should have studs showing for the fitment a stone guard (if it has the stone guard even better but it's rare), anti trap bars (radius arms) fitted from the axle facing forward fitting onto the chassis. That's all I can thinks of at this time in the morning! Hope this helps

[turnover]

but also there are some normal shell made to be type 49 as all the weld on bits a readily available from numerous parts dealers ,so if done properly you will never tell,bit of a grey area

[damian1969josh]

one more thing to look for is take out dash clocks and look at metal dash to see if it has been jigsaw out for six clocks or nice or smooth with nice round edges for the six clocks hope i have said this alright.