Descrizione
I absolutely love this car. Underneath the racing livery lurks a genuine 3-owner from new example that has lived its entire life within the same 5-mile radius. Since 2001, the car has been developed and heavily modified in the hands of a high-performance garage to create the machine you see here today. But it`s not all about stickers, this is a hybrid of 2 litre Zetec power, old school Weber 40`s and Type 9 Capri gearbox, back axle and underpinnings. Consequently, it goes, stops and handles as good as it looks with an exhaust note to die for. Not for the purist maybe, but this turns more heads than anything else I`ve driven this year and offers a grin factor that is simply off the scale.
Launched just weeks before the London Motor Show in September 1962, the all-new Cortina was designed by Roy Brown Jr, who had been banished to Dagenham after the massive failure of the Edsel project. His brief here was to design a family car that would sell in large numbers, rivalling the Morris Oxford and Vauxhall Victor. Available initially as either a 2 or 4-door saloon and from 1963, an estate version, various trim levels were offered (Standard, Deluxe, Super and GT) powered by an enlarged Anglia Kent engine bored out to 1198cc. A year later, the 5-bearing 1498cc appeared and in GT form (lowered suspension and tuning) gave 78BHP and in turn the sporting car for Britain`s family man was born. A redesign by Roy Haines in the Autumn of 1966 lead to the introduction of the Mk. II, a longer, wider car with an ever-increasing choices of engine sizes and trim levels. As so, the story of the now legendary Cortina continued with what was to become a 20-year production span and global success.
Our car was registered on 1st January 1967 making it one of the very last Mk. I examples built. It was supplied new through Grahams of Dewsbury to a gentleman in Tingley who retained the Cortina until August 1988, selling to a lady in nearby Ossett. In May 2001, the car was sold again to its third and current registered keeper, a high-performance garage in Dewsbury who were themselves responsible for creating the Cortina you see today. Initially the Kent 1498cc was replaced with a 2 litre Pinto but looking for more power, the full Zetec conversion was undertaken around 8 years ago. The actual specification runs as follows:
1988cc 16V Zetec Silver Top engine
Twin Weber 40 carburettors
Ford 5-speed Type 9 Gearbox (Mk. III Capri)
Capri back axle
Capri steering rack, suspension and brakes
Genuine Ford RS alloys
The original all-white body was treated to a two-tone paint scheme and the car was subsequently liveried up as a sixties saloon-car racer. The original interior was removed and replaced with a later Ford interior which actually is extremely comfortable and fits the shell perfectly. The garage finally put their own logo (now removed) on the boot-lid and used the car as a promotional vehicle covering around 8000 miles in their 20 years of ownership.
Since acquiring the Cortina we have done little else but polish and enjoy it. Other than some very minor corrosion in the offside front wing and valance, the car is extremely solid throughout with nice straight panels and bright paintwork. Inside, the cabin is clean and whilst not original, has a period feel. Turn the key and the Zetec fires instantly into life, sounding far more like a living thing than Ford ever envisaged! On the road, the car selects through the gears positively and smoothly with performance more akin to an early Mondeo, soft but controlled suspension and good brakes. I have now driven it along the coast road to Bridport as well as covering a few miles attending a local car show and a couple of pub meets. The reaction it gets is just astonishing. A van driver stopped me in my lane to talk about it, queuing for fuel a gentleman tried to sell me his Rover P5B and sitting in traffic lights at the sea-front, five lads in a Nissan stopped the traffic with windows dropped and jaws open wide. Discreet it isn`t but it makes everyone smile and it is a complete hoot to drive.
The Cortina comes with it`s original Dealer Pack with Ford Service Book, Europe Service Book and Owner`s Handbook, Philips Stereo brochure, The Cassell Book of the Ford Cortina, a current V5C and every MoT Certificate from 2003 to the present day. Whilst both road tax and MoT exempt, the garage In Dewsbury elected to inspect the car every year. Hence, it benefits from a current M0T to the end of January 2022.
The best fun I`ve had on four wheels this year. Period.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
