Highlights

• A very cheery looking MKI Cortina, restored in recent years, and finished in bright, eye-catching, Passion Red
• The car has been checked over and recommissioned by UK classic car specialists and is ready to use and enjoy
• Recently imported from South Africa, the vendor states it has never been used on gritted roads and that no rust has been observed
• Fitted with upgraded 1600cc Ford cross-flow motor for a more enjoyable driving experience
• Largely original, it would not take much to return it to original

The Appeal

This example is one of the cars produced by the Ford Motor Company of South Africa. It has spent the vast majority of its life in the arid climate of South Africa resulting in an unusually solid example with none of the rust issues associated with European cars of this vintage. It has been fully checked and recommissioned since import and is now ready to cherish, use and enjoy by only its next owner.

The History and Paperwork

• This Cortina rolled out of the Port Elizabeth plant in 1965
• The car remained in the country of its manufacture until 2022
• In recent years it has clearly benefitted from a thorough restoration
• It was imported to the UK in June 2022 by a classic car trader who buys original RHD cars that are rust free and have never been used on gritted roads 
• Since import it has benefitted from a full check over and recommissioning by classic car specialists
• The car was first registered in the UK July 2022 to its only UK keeper
• The paperwork archive consists of the key post import documents
• This includes the current V5 in the name of the present keeper
• The Cortina is MOT and VED exempt in the UK based on its age
• A full schedule of works is on hand detailing checks and recommissioning undertaken
• All necessary import / export related documentation is also included
  
  

The Interior

• The interior is in a fine condition throughout for the car’s age
• Like the rest of the car, it seems to have benefitted from an earlier restoration
• The originality is generally good with only the front seats notable as obvious replacements
• These appear to be more recent, deeply bolstered sports seats
• They are finished in red and black livery with red piping to match
• This blends with the bright finish of the rest of the interior
• The rear bench seat is dressed in hard wearing vinyl
• This is finished in the prevailing black and red colourway and arranged into box pleats
• The carpets appear to be later replacements and are finished in a dark grey hue
• The door cards are finished in black vinyl and feature chromed door furniture
• The dashboard is standard MKI Cortina fare
• It comprises a body-coloured painted steel fascia
• The top roll is finished in black vinyl over deformable foam
• A full width storage shelf extends below the dashboard
• A pair of white on black gauges are deeply set into a binnacle ahead of the driver
• These are original Cortina inscribed items with a speedometer calibrated in miles
• These sit behind a three spoke, chunky rimmed sports steering wheel
• A period Sanyo radio head unit is fitted which has been recommissioned and is working
• An umbrella style handbrake lever is located close to the manual gear lever
• The surprisingly spacious boot is finished with a black carpet mat
• A new scissor jack, wheel brace and spare wheel and tyre are also located here
• The heater has been recommissioned together with the interior lights
• A new rear parcel shelf has been fitted and the driver’s door strap repaired 
  
  

The Exterior

• This MKI Cortina is finished in bright, eye-catching Passion Red
• It has been subject to an earlier respray which has resulted in a smooth and thick finish
• The owner does report some minor marks and scuffs commensurate with use
• Some minor overspray is also noted in places
• The MKI retains a charming period look, however, with plenty of chrome accents noted
• All brightwork looks clear, and untarnished and original
• The MKI signatures include the distinctive rear light lenses and slim bonnet bulge
• A large pair of Hella auxiliary driving lights are fitted 
• These combined with the two-piece bumpers give the front end a sporting demeanour
• This is further underscored by the car’s deep rimmed alloy wheels
• These are in a Minilite style and are 13-inch items
• These present in a very good overall condition with just the odd minor mark noted
• They are shod with a matching set of recent looking Nankang Toursport 611 tyres
• These are in a 185/60 configuration all round
• All cabin glass and light lenses appear unfogged and in a fine condition
• All expected marque and model badging seems present and correct
  
  

The Mechanics

• This Cortina is fitted with a 1,600cc Ford crossflow engine
• Power is fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission
• A long list of mechanical recommissioning tasks has been completed since import
• This is photographed for reference but includes the following key tasks
• A restored steering box and steering idler arm replaced
• A full rebuild and recommissioning of the front suspension
• A new battery and battery securing clamp has been fitted
• Rear brake cylinders have been fitted as have rear spring bolts and bushes
• A full wheel alignment has been performed
• As such the current owner describes the Cortina as “a joy to drive”
• The only reported issues are a worn reverse gear selector gate
• A replacement ballast resistor may also be required at some point
• The under-bonnet presentation is very sound and clean looking
• All expected data plates and etched numbers appear to be present and correct
• The underside of the car looks very solid and sound too
  
  

Summary