Description
When Ford launched in the Cortina in 1962 it had created something totally new and original, skilfully combining driveability, good handling and great value and over 4 million were sold between 1962-1982, making it the most popular British car of the 1960s and 1970s. The name was inspired by the name of the Italian ski resort Cortina d'Ampezzo, site of the 1956 Winter Olympics and as a publicity stunt, several Cortinas were driven down the Cortina olympic bobsled run at the resort which was called Cortina Auto-Bobbing.
The MKII Cortina was introduced in 1966 and it had some styling elements in common with the third generation US Ford Falcon. Although the launch was accompanied by the slogan "New Cortina is more Cortina", the car, at 168" long, was fractionally shorter than before, but it was 2. 5" wider and curved side panels provided more interior space. Other improvements included a smaller turning circle, softer suspension, self-adjusting brakes and clutch and the introduction of 'Cross-Flow' 1300cc & 1600cc Engines.
For 1969, the Mark II range was given subtle revisions with separate "FORD" block letters mounted on the bonnet and boot lids, a blacked out grille and chrome strips on top and below the taillights. The MkII Cortina was only made for four years between 1966-1970, but it still clocked up more than a million sales during its short production run.
This lovely LHD Ford Cortina MKII Deluxe is a rare 2 door Saloon - Chassis No: CN92KU-81940 and Engine No: 6015BA and was first registered in to a Mr Reino Heino of Tampere, Finland on 24th August 1970 with the number plate HKM-20 and it has spent the last 21 years from 1997 to 2018 in The Car Museum of Vehoniemi (Vehoniemen Automuseo) in Tampere, Finland.
It is a Matching Numbers car and is finished in its original colour scheme of Fern Green Metallic with Black vinyl trim and Black carpets, original 1600cc 'Crossflow' 4 cylinder Engine, 4 Speed Manual Gearbox and sitting on its original 13" Steel Wheels with Chrome Hub caps and fitted with Nokia 165 SR 13 Tyres.
It is a One Owner car from new and Mr Heino had covered 144, 971 Kilometers (90, 000 miles) in 27 years when he donated his car to the local Museum in Tampere in 1997. It had been very well maintained and always garaged during his ownership with no major works having been carried out at all and it was only given a fresh coat of paint before it went into the museum in 1997. It was purchased from the museum earlier this year by an English client and sent over to us to register the car and sell on their behalf.
The car has now covered a total of 149, 900 Kilometres (93, 146 Miles) from new and is completely original throughout, except for the repaint which looks as though it was only carried out in the last couple of years and it is totally rust free and in exceptional condition throughout.
It comes with all its original documents including the Ford wallet containing its original service books and drivers manuals, Finish Registration documents and data cards and the Museum Certificate issued to and signed by Mr Heino which was displayed on the car.
These models are extremely rare on our roads today and according to the DVLA records, only 385 MK2 Cortina's are still registered, but only 13 Ford Cortina MK2's (1300, 1500 & 1600 models) although there are 273 1600E's, 7 GT's and 92 MK2 Lotus Cortina's. Being a 2 door car rather than 4 door makes this example even rarer!
We have just registered the car here in the UK and it now has the age related number plate: FMW 766J. Upon sale, the car will be given a full Service and new MOT and it will come with a 6 Month Mechanical Warranty.
This car is remarkable and starts on the first turn of the key everytime and it really does drive beautifully.
Car available to view @ our showrooms in Mortlake, SW London.
