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Ford Consul Cortina MK1 GT, 1963, 4 door, LHD, export model.
Vehicle number Z78C****** S, indicating a genuine GT built in July 1963.
General history
Built in Dagenham in July 1963 and exported to Italy, where it was registered on the 13. th of November 1963, upon which it spent 47 years in the hands of 4 owners in the provinces of Arrezo, Bari and Lombardy.
Original Italian registration papers still present.
Imported into Holland by me in late 2010, registered for road use early 2011.
Odometer reads 75. 785 km at the moment, the equivalent of 47. 100 miles, can’t guarantee this but given the general condition of the car this is likely to be correct.
Bodywork
As can be expected from a car imported from a dry climate the bodywork was close to excellent when I bought it. Inner wings are perfect with the original vehicle number still stamped in. Chassis plate and build plate also still in place.
Bodywork is very straight, a few very minor bubbles behind the rear wheels and on the doors have been dealt with, upon which the car received a major professional antirust treatment (Dinitrol) in the spring of 2011.
According to the Dinitrol scheme the car has been checked and repeatedly treated in 2014 and 2017.
Over the years several exterior parts have been replaced with new items, a. o. the front and rear bumper with bolts, headlamp bezels, rear light bezels and the grille. The exterior C-pillar trim has been rechromed.
Front and rear screen rubbers have been replaced in 2011.
The car has been kept in a dehumidified garage since I bought it and is as good in life as it is in the pictures.
Engine / gearbox
The engine was rebuilt during 2011 / 2012, the car has driven about 5. 400 miles since. Original airfilter housing still fitted, only modification to the engine is the presence of a heat shield between the inlet manifold and the carburettor. This was done to avoid vapour lock and can of course be removed it desired.
The gearbox has the painted and ‘straight’ lever typically for the early GT’s.
Clutch slave cylinder replaced in 2014.
Steering and suspension
In 2011 the inner track control arm bushes, the RH front wheel bearing, the rear spring shackle small bushes and rear wheel bearings and retainers were replaced.
Brakes
New brake master cylinder and brake hoses fitted in 2011, in the same year the front brake callipers were rebuilt, and the rear brakes shoes replaced.
Cooling
Upon purchase by me the car had an incorrect radiator fitted, this has been replaced by a reconditioned ‘big top’ unit in 2012, at the same time the thermostat was renewed. Twin blade fan fitted as per export spec. Heater was overhauled in 2013 after a slight leak in the heater radiator was found during pressure testing.
Interior
The drivers seat has been replaced with a used one that was in better condition that the original.
The interior door trim was in itself good with no warps, holes or other damage, but the colour had faded so this was resprayed to match the seats.
The carpet was gone or had badly faded in several places, so a new tailor made 6 piece carpet was fitted, in the original colour (black) and original loop pile style. In addition to this a set of separate front mats is also present.
New door edge trim has been fitted as well.
A correct period Ford radio, rebuilt by Agenta Audio from Ilkley in West Yorkshire, has been fitted in 2014. To avoid drilling holes in the car no antenna is fitted, instead I decided to give it an MP3 connection. The speaker on the rear parcel shelf has the correct grille for this type of car.
The fitting of the radio could easily be reversed, as I will include in the sale a spare aluminium dash trim panel to blank it up again, plus a (used but very good) spare rear parcel shelf in red with no speaker holes.
The original headlining (confetti pattern) is in unmarked condition.
New but period looking seatbelts as supplied by Quickfit safety belt service from Stanmore have been fitted.
Electrics
All factory fitted gauges are present and in good working order, although the speedo reads a bit high. No additional gauges have been fitted, nor have ever been in the car, hence no ‘extra’ holes in the dashboard or centre console.
The rev counter has been rebuilt by Speedy Cables from Swansea.
Under the bonnet the correct two tone horn is fitted, a cigarette lighter was fitted ex-factory.
The car is still on positive earth, new battery fitted in 2017.
Details and various
Wire bonnet lock
Correct rear bumper
Fuel tank with drain plug as per early spec
Huge file of invoices and receipts present to support the information mentioned above.
Very original, only modifications are the fitting of the heat shield as mentioned earlier, the replacement of the cardboard boot divider by a steel one that is welded in to support rigidity, and the fitting of the above mentioned seatbelts.
Not over restored, underside not sprayed in body colour, as protecting it against the weather through a liberal coating of Dinitrol made more sense to me.
More photos can be sent upon request, if you require pics of specific details let me know.
Viewing possible north of Rotterdam, approximately 30 miles from Hook of Holland.
