The stars aligned to make this video happen, Dan and I nearly didn’t make it past Wigan on the northbound journey. A long day but thanks to Jonnys singular persistence it ended in combustion! This is a fitting tribute to Dad and the efforts of TLBS team are very much appreciated by the family. Next weekend I’ll be driving the now recommissioned Mexico with Mum and Dan to take Dad’s ashes to his favourite fell for one last time. Oh and Mum - it’s pronounced Modena, not Modena x

@TheLateBrakeShow

10 ай бұрын

It was a wonderful day, and I couldn't have got the car to strike up without the agony uncle phone help of my big brother Greg, plus a bootful of WD40. Thanks for inviting me to come and tell the story. Jonny

@samholdsworth420

10 ай бұрын

Cheers!

@angeloah

10 ай бұрын

Fantastic!

@davidhitchen7122

10 ай бұрын

Absolutely fantastic ❤️

@mikaeldinoto

10 ай бұрын

This was a great episode, a wonderful story. This is the quintessential barn find; one owner car, every service record, every invoice, still in solid form. Mrs Cradock even remembers without hesitation how much they paid for it. It’s a part of the family’s history. I had a great time watching, thank you for sharing your story. Cheers from Toronto 🇨🇦

What a sweet, warm lady. This is legit heart warming to see a family care so much for a car... Jonny was right when he said it was a part of the family.

@TheLateBrakeShow

10 ай бұрын

Really chuffed you enjoyed this one.

@ramalama9650

10 ай бұрын

That lady loves that car it just shows the way she speaks so passionately about it. It was hard to find one in that condition, even back in the day. They were heavily abused by wannabe rally drivers. I remember the adverts in the motor magazines for used ones, 'Never raced or rallied'! Excellent find and video!

Gosh this one had me all misty eyed. Well done all. Thank you to Anne, Ben, and Dan for sharing their stories of Tim and the car with Jonny and the rest of us!

I love seeing these old British cars being revealed. I do wish you would take a skilled mechanic with you to get these cars started, they are so simple but you make it look so difficult to get them going! Clearly an old mechanic would have them going in no time.

You were right when you started this post with the comments about cars being more than mechanical boxes, that they have memories and life events tied to them. I got a lump in my throat when it cranked over and seeing mother and son sharing a moment and surely thinking about a father and spouse. Jonny, you're really the only presenter/car journalist that I see regularly getting your hands dirty, trouble shooting until the cars come back to life. And relating one on one with the owners and the stories. Just fantastic - nothing else like it anywhere. Thank you! WHAT'S NEXT?!?

@TheLateBrakeShow

10 ай бұрын

That's really kind. Thank you so much. These videos are popular because folks like you keep watching, subscribing and liking. Cheers!

What a lovely family, you made their day with your persistence and Greg’s help so they could hear it running again. Another great episode Jonny.

@TheLateBrakeShow

10 ай бұрын

Thank you. Really glad you enjoyed coming along for the ride. Couldn't have done it without Greg and WD40!

@davidgalea6113

10 ай бұрын

​@@TheLateBrakeShowhope the car stays in the family..

@neilperry2224

10 ай бұрын

Spent my early car life learning about these and MK2 Escorts from the local Bristol Street Motors, and the old boys immaculate estate two tone paint scheme Mk 2 , always washed on the weekend never put away wet. A friend of my brothers who restored a mk1 1300E vinyl roof dark blue paint, and the same steel wheels, and this was in the mid eighties, and honing round the country lanes and flipped into a farmers field, luckily freshly ploughed. Landed on its wheels , but was stuck in the mud up past the sump!! And had to ask the farmer to pull him out, no damage to his car but his reputation as a good driver slipped. But the stories a good one, also sat 8n a rather ropey Mk1 R/S rally car the my older brother wanted to buy for 1600£ but mom said No! So he got a Fiesta Mk 3 pop plus 950cc.

@ChishanFipz

10 ай бұрын

I pined and wished so much my mum would drop the clutch against boy racers - Absolutely no chance, she stuck to the speed limit like her life depended on it, even in an Uno turbo! What a lady! Love to of met the owner - an inspiration and legend.

Her love for her husband and the car is beautiful ❤

That was more emotional than any barn find has any right to be. What a privilege, and hope it goes on to be used by an appreciative new owner!

@final_mile_music9713

9 ай бұрын

💯

What a lovely lady, and the memories she has with this car and her late husband Tim, made me feel quite emotional. The stories of their camping trips with the two lads sat in the back in their designated seats, one on the left, one on the right is more than special. I'm of an age where I can remember my Dad buying brand new Escorts, a MK1 (NAX 820M) in 74, then a MK2 (MCJ 256P) in 76, then changing it for another MK2 (BHB 639T) in 79, made me an Escort fan ever since, and I've also owned a MK1 Mexico myself. If I had storage I would love to buy this. Thanks Jonny for another excellent video, and thanks to the lovely family for letting us share their personal journey too.

As a 75 year old MGB GT owner in NZ, I found this episode really emotional and I couldn't keep the smile off my face. You're right about cars having an emotional connection. Our GT was manufactured the same year that my wife and I got married - 1972. It isn't going anywhere! 🙂

@kiwiwifi

2 ай бұрын

it'll be going to the tip, just like all the other MGs

I think this is the best one ive watched! A one owner. I have a 1979 fj45 landcruiser which I found in a shed and bought off the original owner (you can see its nose in my landcruiser line up profile photo), it has 106,000 genuine km and sat in his farm shed from 1998-2018 when i bought it. We did exactly what you do- clean plugs, etc can of hope and it started. Still running original distributor coil condensor etc. replaced water pump last year and clutch “sticks” and will be replaced this year. Now done 113,000km. We love it. It basically sit in my shed, does some work around my orchard, was on bushfire patrol in 2019…..

A fantastic episode, brought a tear to the eye when it started, a well loved Escort kept in the family from new. RIP Tim.

The reaction from everybody when the car started was priceless. You can tell how much it means to them all

@martycrush6412

10 ай бұрын

Here here 👌🏼

@JazzFunkNobby1964

10 ай бұрын

They're selling it...

An amazing story of a man who loved his car and a family who loved the man, R.I.P. sir knowing that the car is running and hopefully will move to someone who also cares for it as you all do

@gro9465

10 ай бұрын

@@stevie46 I am probably not alone in thinking your comment is in bad taste. Shame on you.

Another lovely story car mother and the late husband would be so proud

So lovely seeing your beautiful mother smiling when the car started,may you all have many happy years together before your mum is reunited with her sweetheart, God bless you all🙏👏❤❤

Hands down the late brake show is my favourite car show. Jonny is so chilled out and likeable the people are relatable As always enjoyed the video,. Lovely car.

@TheLateBrakeShow

10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, this is really kind to hear. 👍🏽✊🏽

I lost my own father in October 2021. He was a big escort fan and would have loved this episode. For people of his generation, this and the RS were the stuff of dreams. I hope that they don't regret parting with it. It cannot be replaced.

What a great story of a much cherished car. The Escorts of this era have much charm.

Reminds me of the first start of my mk1 escort I rebuilt with my dad! Love my old girl! Such a heart warming story about how it’s been in the family for so long

Making car content they just don't make anymore. Thanks Jonny. Superb as always. :)

Easily one of the best ever barn find episodes. What a happy ending.

What a lovely bubbly lady who really loves this amazing car , i have to admit i had a few tears in my eyes at the end knowing the car has to find a new home ❤

I teared up when jonny was chatting with her at the end she was really upset bless her .

You made her day Jonny, great barn find

God Bless Tim Cradock. What a fabulous car and an beautiful family.

Good man, Jonny. Your escapades with that little Mexico just made my day. What a wee charmer

I had 2 of these back in 1979 and 1982 and i would give big money to own this car its just so lovely!

@shsh-he5qg

10 ай бұрын

Suggest you quickly get in touch with Jonny and try and beat anyone to seeing it first, first person to see it will take it !

Jonny bears incredible responsibility on these barn/garage finds, unlocking shared memories for families. Where other channels are all about hooning around, the LBS is heartwarming at it's finest 👏

Yet again you got another beauty to run. You’re a superstar Jonny 👍🏻

Wow! What a special episode, lovely family, great car. I lived in the back of a MK1 van for 8 1/2 months as a homeless teenager and then had a very rusty mk2 van with this engine in it and then a mk 2 1600 sport - same engine again. And then had my mums old mk 2 1300l which I brought my wife and son home from London Bridge hospital when he was born, 30 years ago! The mk1 is probably still my favourite car. Thanks Johnny, thanks family, beautifully done 😀

The family's reaction when the Ford finally started is priceless. Well done!!

@ukqwerty999

10 ай бұрын

i just wanted Johnny to take the jump lead off the poor old starter motor

Ah, magnificent episode. Think I've got something in my eye though; back in a minute.

@tallblokesam

10 ай бұрын

Somebody is definitely chopping onions nearby..

@kevinmatthews2620

10 ай бұрын

@@tallblokesam same problem here :)

My first car was an Escort 1300GT with a 1600GT Mexico engine installed in 1988, a few years later i managed to get a good loking but very rusty Mexico, I couldn't afford to get the work that was needed done, but to this day, a MK1 Mexico with a 4 pack of Cibies is still my favourite car ever.. Thank you to everyone for this video, that car really was one of the family!

Thanks for your wonderful report! By the end of the video I had tears in my eyes. In 1988 I bought an Escort MK1 RS2000, which I had been looking for 2 years, it was partially dismantled but in the same condition as the Mexico here in the video. It was already difficult to find an original back then, with the beautiful steel drop center rims without conversion. I was looking for parts here in Germany, but they didn't fit, even though they were parts for the RS2000. It wasn't until 10 years later that I knew why! I had bought one of only 134 left hand drive (LHD) Escort MK1 RS2000 AVO, Type 49. This was only built in England. It was converted as one of the first presentation escort RS for Germany, because the German factory (Sarlouis) was only able to present the modified German body of the RS000 from January 1974. It's sad, I'm 53 years old now and I've captured many other projects. Many health problems and other events the car has been standing around unchanged for 35 years. That hurts a lot in my heart and in my dream car. It can soon be back on the road, there is now a new workshop and the remaining years to fulfill the dream! Thank you and cheeRS Klaus from Düsseldorf

What a lovely family. I love the fact they've had it all that time - it really is a part of the family

Fantastic. My first car was a mk1 1300gt. Same colour Reg BWB 777M. wished I still owned it now

i like the way they talk about the car for ages without saying what it is and show little bits of it hidden under sheets .... and then put it in the title !!!

The two „boys“ in the back: priceless! For everything else, …

What a charming lady, fabulous car!

What a lovely story/family, really hope whoever takes it on next cherished it as much as they have, R.I.P Mr Craddock

Holy grail car. I got quite choked up when she said to move it on. If I was one of those two lads, I'd never be able to sell it. I really hope it goes to someone who will appreciate it with all its history and not just sell it on for mega money. What a beautiful thing!

Nice one Johnny, loved this, being a 70’s child this is one of my dream cars 😄

Jonny these episode just keep getting better. RIP Tim and thank you for your México legacy

Brilliant episode. I personally wouldn't let the car go anywhere. One of the sons looked emotional when it fired up. Keep these episodes coming Johnny 👍

@dpheaslip

10 ай бұрын

Absolutely. That’s a family heirloom. Selling it will be something I think they’ll regret.

I absolutely loved this car as a kid and I was born in 85. I know people will probably crucify me but I'd still love a modded one now. Great vehicle!

I actually welled up when it fired up, so happy for this lady the memories of her and her hubby ❤️ hope it goes to enthusiast and raises obscene amount of money for the family, what a car

No way would i let it leave the family . Just beautiful and mum and dads . What a lovely story and family . Please don't sell her and keep it ❤

This was my favorite Escort of the 70's, The wheels, The decals, The front flared arches, the four clocks and 3 spoke steering wheel a true Gem. Where less is more.

In 1974 my father taught me to drive in his Medina Green Ford Escort MkI and seeing this episode brought back such great memories . . thanks Jonny and the Cradock Family.

My dad had one and he used to let me 'steer' it into the garage whilst sat on his lap when I was a nipper... I am sat here blubing like a baby watching this. Brings back so many memories 💔

What a lovely lady and lovely family!!! That car will find a new home and it will be lorded upon!

Never thought I’d see another mk1 escort with Johnny finding it

We did love our cars and RS cars were stuff of our dreams. During the mid 70's I used to travel miles to Welshpool were WR Davies, a Ford RS dealer sold these cars, and around the back there were lines of them all in different specs and colours. For me those times have never been repeated. Looks like this car has been saved just in time before the rust takes a hold. It's a lovely honest car and has been well loved, all appears to be there to make it a real beauty.

The only family member we ever get the chance of bring back to life after being dormant for decades is that family member that gave us all our childhood memories... The family car 🚘 What a great show... Keep up the great work

@TheLateBrakeShow

10 ай бұрын

Great comment - and it's the truth. Thanks for watching.

This is one of those episodes that every non-car lover should watch. It's such a lovely episode full of such warm and fond memories of Tim and the family, and the Escort made many of them possible. A lovely episode Jonny & team, thank you very much.

Great video! My first car in 1977 was a ford Escort GT. I was a player in a band and we transported most of our equipment in that car. Brings back really good memories. Thanks again.

My mom had an orange Mexico, same year. We did similar mainland Europe trips, stuff crammed everywhere. Loved that car. Greetings from California.

Wonderful. Tears in my eyes when she sprung to life! A lovely thing for a lovely family and I’m sure wonderful memories of Dad/Husband too.

I love the fact that even though you really aren't a seasoned mechanic at all Jonny, you STILL get in there with a little phone a brother and have the tenacity to get that thing running. The family, all three, were just ecstatic to hear those memories come roaring back through the exhaust note of that little (worked up) 1600cc motor. Wonderful!

What a Wonderful Wonderful Lady and her two Sons, petrol heads would love a wife and who kept their memory alive with the car they owned by remembering and keeping everything about their pride and joy. This Car is Dripping with their families history, I must admit it brought a tear to my eye when it started, well done Jonny and of course your Brother Greg, you are now part of this Cars history forever. It's such a shame it has to be sold on, the new owner will be the Custodian of a Wonderful car, let all hope this car has many more years still left in it, and many more memories for the new owner. Jonny, I really don't know how you manage to surpass yourself each week with these truly wonderful video's, but you do, thank you Jonny and the Mexico family for sharing this with us, it was a lovely story of one families car history.

I went to school with Ben, we were good mates and remember the mexico being in the garage! Reading all the comments choked me up a little, much love for Anne and the family from everyone. Much love from Kev also x

@bordersw1239

10 ай бұрын

Can I ask which school? that reg plate looks awfully familiar to me.

@kifmarn

10 ай бұрын

@@bordersw1239 so the number plate is more memorable than the family? If you knew Ben or Dan well enough to be in their garage surely you'd remember what school we went to 😂

@bordersw1239

10 ай бұрын

@@kifmarn . It’s a long time ago, the school just gives me the area they likely lived in - why the conspiracy? P.S I didn’t mention their garage.

Loved the Shot of Anne with her knitting as you guys were trying to align all the Magical Pixies!

I found this really emotional to watch. The pride in the car and the memories of their father and family was a joy to watch. Nice one Johnny. x

What an absolutely fabulous and heartwarming video that was, the joy on Tim’s family’s faces was priceless when the Mexico’s heart started beating after all those years. Another triumph TLBS 🙏🏻

This is like this is your life but for car's love the history and the memories and brings everyone together

Great car, great lady. Lovely to see family connection. As you said, it's not just a piece of metal. It's part of our historic DNA growing up every time I see a Morris Oxford or a Granada it chokes me thinking of the good times I had with my late father in cars.

Bloody great video ! What a story & history ! Fantastic. 👍 I love Escort Mk1s/MK2s. First car at 17 was a 1970 MK1, 2nd car was a MK1 Mexico, had a MK1 RS2000 in my early 20's. Had a MK2 RS 2000 early 90's which was concourse & still out there doing the circuit GUF 215V. Now at 58 own a MK2 again, only a mongruel / modified. Prices now compared to 40 yrs ago limits me. But hey it's an Escort !

What a special story, and a special car. This family heirloom was clearly loved, and the respect and interest you have shown to the family is so evident.

What a genuinely nice lad Jonny is.

This is making me smile so much. What a car!! WHAT A WOMAN!!!!!!!!!

Absolute cracker of an episode, can't quite believe 30 mins went that fast. Loving the car history and genealogy which makes it all the more wholesome. Here's to the best car channel and the continued successful future of the LBS

@TheLateBrakeShow

10 ай бұрын

This is the best compliment we could wish for - the 30 min episodes should fly by.

What a great video, I felt excitement and anticipation that you could get that engine started for this lovely family. Well done, you clearly brought a little happiness to them after the loss of their father/husband…just remember to disconnect the starter motor next time 😅

Gotta admit I had a few tears at the end there. Funny how cars can do that. I had a few Old Ford’s growing up, the main being a Series X RS2000, eventually you grow up and circumstances change and you let go of them regrettably. But these stories and KZread vids always seems like a shared experience for those who have been through all too. Massive thank you for this weeks video. And blessings to the family for sharing.

The smile on her face when the car started was priceless bless her and sorry about the recent loss RIP. Great video 👍

Absolute classic! And a racing go faster stripe. Where would you be without a big brother? Glad you got it going.

This show stands out from all other barn find shows because of the people and stories that you manage to locate who own such cool cars! Keep up the awesome content, thanks. Throttle down from Chicago. ✌️

This one was just brilliant Jonny. I may have shed a tear or two.

I almost bought one from new - my father objected so it didn't happen - regret it to this day so seeing this is fantastic What an inheritance.

Another great barn find Jonny. The joy on everyone's face when the Mexico fired up was priceless. Keep up the good work. 👍

Think these episodes just makes everyone's day, honestly there is nothing like this out there. Cannot wait for each video, have followed you from your 5th gear days absolutely amazing

What an absolutely amazing survivor car (and owners). Lost for words!

Great story. Great car. Great family. I owned a slightly younger (M reg) Mexico for a few months before changing jobs, taking a company car and then selling the Mex after it had spent 6 months sitting in my Mother's garage. The chap who bought it was planning to go rallying. I doubt it survived. I temain disappointed that I never really had the oportunity to full appreciate the Mexico and its capabilities at the time it was in its prime. Mine also had the black stripes, but was Olympic Blue. My thanks to the family for sharing the story and to Jonny for making he video.

What an emotional rollercoaster. Great editing, that told the story such that I was convinced that it would be a turnkey start and then had hopes dashed and then raised again until the eventual sweetly revving engine. As a viewer, the stories are so enthralling that whether there is exhaust fumes or not it's never a disappointment. And that entire family adored each other as well as the car.

Phwooaar! It's got a go-faster stripe! Just so sad you didn't get to meet the owner. Thanks for another great episode - it's cheered me up after a very wet day watching Ford Escort rally cars at Shelsley Walsh hillclimb.

I just had an epiphany, cars are just lumps of metal...we love some, they are emotion feeling and memory, you are resurrecting those, the lumps of metal come along for the ride

Many Thanks to the family getting in touch with you. To bring this classic back to life. 👍👍

This is without doubt my favourite Barn Find yet. Apart from this being my favourite car of all time, the whole back story and the lovely family. What a wonderful lady she is and loved her knitting in the background. And the pure joy for them when it started. Great work as always ❤

I learned to drive in a canary yellow one of these with twin webber carbs and sports exhaust. My instructor would allow us to give ot the beans once he was confident in our driving. Fond memories.

Jonny's Barn Finds are the most wholesome stories. Keep them coming.

@TheLateBrakeShow

10 ай бұрын

Many thanks, will do 👍🏽

What a lady, what a car, what a story! Lovely Jonny.

What a great watch, and an even more lovely story shared by the family.. Epitomises exactly what cars can mean to people, so much than just a lump of metal.. watching the family's reaction when it fired up was priceless! 😁 Top job Jonny! 👍

What a brilliant episode, had me in tears, brought back memories of my mum's first car, a Daytona yellow,1.1 GLS with a chrome Passenger side mirror,which was an optional extra, and a full length black vinyl roof, I believe it was an L registration, this car brought the memories flooding back, maybe because my mum died recently, Brilliant work Johnny 😊

What an awesome story on a car and the fact it’s belonged to the same family all this time. I hope whoever buys this car at some point can give this car the same level of love

A beautiful touching film… deserves the recognition it’s clearly receiving ❤

@TheLateBrakeShow

10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much

The Late Brake Show barn find episode + a Ford Escort Mk1 Mexico + a family who cherish the car = Happy smiles through damp teary eyes... Well done again Johnny, for bringing the cars of the people to show them alive again for their next adventures.

Without doubt the best episode yet, genuinely heart warming.

Absolutely stunning when that garage door opened my jaw dropped, what a jem love Mexico's and such a shame her son's don't want to have it, if it was passed down to me in a family I would jump at it. I really hope it goes to a good home and is cherished.

Made my day that. Awesome story, thanks Mr Smith

Probably your most heartwarming Barnfind episode yet. The car looked so good from the start that I thought it would be an easy start. What a cliffhanger this turned into!

@davejenvey3598

10 ай бұрын

Watch the volvo one