Description
Cortina 1200 Mk1 Deluxe Four Door 1963. CHX 560A
Relisted due to time-waster.
This must be one of the most original Cortinas you could find. Virtually everything is as it left the factory – Iin a car that has covered just 37, 000 miles, yet has been used and maintained regularly for all its years. Its first owner had it for 32 years, and all the MOTs and evidence verify the mileage.
A true time-warp car, it would be perfect for an owner prizing originality.
It has just passed its MOT, to Jan 2026, with a couple of small advisories. The oil leak is from the oil-pressure sensor, for which i have bought a replacement, and the slight deterioration to the rubber suspension bushes noted means four replacements have been bought from the Mk 1 Cortina Owners Club store, which has every spare you are likely to need..
Otherwise the underside is sound and free from welds except around one anti-roll bar mount. It can be put on a ramp for any inspection, or a walk round video supplied.
It was one of the early production cars, June 1963, confirmed by the fact that the bonnet badge is CONSUL rather than CORTINA as used on the rest of the production run.
The brightwork – bumpers, light surrounds and grill are original and in remarkably good condition. Under the bonnet everything is original and in its place as it left the showroom, including the screen wash bag, radiator, air-cleaner and wiring. The paintwork in the engine compartment polishes to a shine.
Externally the car has been resprayed in correct original Imperial Maroon, which polishes up well.
The interior is also almost all original, with the door cards, seats and dash almost as they left the showroom. The roof lining has been replaced, but in period white vinyl. The rear seat cushion and back are original. The bench front seat has been recovered. The rear door cards are in excellent condition. The front ones will need cleaning, but matching replacements are still available from Aldridge for £150. The edging trim round the doors is original, but will need replacing. Again all available from Aldridge. The dash top is original but cracked and will need painting. The steering wheel is original, but will also need painting. The dash and instruments are original and all work, but an oil pressure gauge has been added by a previous owner.
The original full-width rubber front and rear floor mats are still in place and almost as new, something you would never be able to replace today. As is the boot floor mat.
The four-speed column gear change is still crisp and precise. It always was one of the best column changes of its time, unlike the porridge stirring that you got with most others of this period. My family and I personally owned the identical vehicle for ten years and it covered 120, 000 miles in this time, carrying up to six people and their luggage on the then new motorways, cruising smoothly and economically at 70mph.
Underneath the car is virtually rust-free, with just a small amount of welding to one front anti-roll bar mount. It would seem it has been garaged for much of its life.
I intended using it, and had it professionally serviced and maintained and brought up to standard. The brake system has been totally overhauled, with new hoses, wheel cylinders and shoes, and a new master cylinder kit. The starter motor has been fitted with new brushes and solenoid.
A new fuel tank has been fitted, plus coil, plugs, points, distributor cap and leads and a new battery. All the under-bonnet hoses have been replaced. The clutch has been cleaned and overhauled.
The engine has been serviced, with new oil and filter and a new air filter.
The wheels are original, with the original hubcaps and five 155/ 13 radial tyres.
It comes with a thick document file, with copies of all the previous V5s, and invoices and MOTs going back to 1994, and. It has a period correct Owners Manual and Service Book. These are matched by original brochures, showing that this is a car that has been cared for all is life.
I intended using this car extensively, but health conditions have precluded this, and rather than just polish it and look at it, it is now offered to the next owner to use, care for and love.
£7000 is a fair price for this car but I would be open to realistic offers.
Specification
Date of manufacture June 1963
Mileage 37, 517
Capacity 1198cc
Four Door
Manual
Four Speed
MOT Jan 2026I bought it because it was a completely original car, unmodified, and ready to drive, just needing servicing. Also I owned the identical model when it was new so can confirm its originality.
