Description
This is an ultra-rare FORD Consul CORSAIR “83” DELUXE 4-Door Saloon - the car has no outward appearance difference to standard 1500 versions with less performance - apart from the "83" badge on both rear wings. Notably, this car has two front seats and floor-shift Manual gearbox - opposed to optional front bench seat with (steering) column shift that the Magazine Test Report utilized (see copy). The journalist refers to two-man test team sliding around during performance cornering - also the car was column shift version, the tester states the gear shift was slower than a CORTINA floor change – hardly comparing apples!
This car was assembled at the FORD SOUTH AFRICA Plant - operational since 1927 - and known locally as the Consul CORSAIR Deluxe "83". In the UK-market it was a FORD Consul CORSAIR GT. The engine was borrowed from its sibling CORTINA GT - the “83”-bhp (S. A. E.) engine.
It was assembled during 1965 but registered to its first owner in February 1966 - see attached image of original INVOICE from Grosvenor Motors dated 28th February 1966, reflecting SERIAL NUMBER 46221 with its ENGINE NUMBER of 14P1403, complete with extras of Heater, T/ Mirror, and Reverse Light. The car was sold new for a total of R1, 903, 50 - roughly £952 back then!
This car has been in a Private Museum Collection in South Africa for the past 14-years and was purchased from the original purchaser of this “ONE OWNER FROM NEW" CAR!
It is still a “MATCHING NUMBERS” car - the engine has never been opened. The entire vehicle is TOTALLY ORIGINAL in every aspect, including the original wheels and hubcaps - albeit the car is currently wearing after-market wheels of the era - her own original steel wheels and hubcaps in good condition these will be in the boot. The car is sold complete with all original toolkit, spare wheel, and original handbooks, her service history and SA Magazine Road Test report of 1966.
The INTERIOR throughout is in medium Blue coloured vinyl - which has not YET been given a proper VALET deep-clean. Otherwise, all per original without damage to inner door-cards or kick-panels. There are no rips, tears, or cuts to any of the upholstery either. The original Interior cannot be overstated; there is absolutely nothing missing or damaged or modified. Being a pre-1966 face-lift rename of simply CORSAIR (the Consul name was dropped) with change to using the V4-engine and dashboard, this car has the elongated speedometer and GENUINE 49, 557 MILES on the odometer from new – there is documentation to support this fact.
The entire BODYSHELL structure and outer body panels are RUST-FREE. The car has never had any accident damage nor any welding or panel repair anywhere. It is self-evident when looking at the bodywork from any angle that this is a straight car - without signs of body filler of years before that tend to visibly bulge proud of the metal panel surface over a period.
The ex-factory body paint colour in WHITE (Ermine?) was given a “blow-over” respray by her first owner before it was purchased for the private collection - hardly surprising, the car would have been 45 years old by then – it is now 60 years old! Yes, there are a couple of minor paint nicks & scratch marks, but I'm loath to have the car resprayed – as she stands is simply part of her appeal. The next owner must decide if these minor blemishes should be left “as is” before export, or I can just as easily have “paint correction” done during the Valet (cost included).
All chrome work on bumpers, etc., is near perfect and would not be faulted at any Concours Club judging. Likewise, the grille, badging, and all other embellishment is present per original.
Once given our VALET and DETAILING this car will be even more astounding. In my opinion, a highlight to any Car Show or Club Event that you wish to enter. May I emphasise that no additional expenditure whatsoever is required. The car will have "all fluids changed" and serviced upon sale but is meticulously maintained anyway. We can apply a WURTH Anti-Rust sealant to UNDERBODY after cleaning if required. It's the Buyers decision if to apply or not. More images will still be provided.
The OWNER is a friend of mine since 2006. I sold him a Ford Cortina Lotus Mk. 2 previously. I am MANDATED by the Owner to sell the car on his behalf.
BUYER PURCHASE PRICE: The price is not an ASKING PRICE and is FIRM. Kindly take cognisance the BUYER PRICE is an “ALL IN” payment for entire EXPORT & Certification, all SERVICES as stated, all TRANSPORTATION by local Car-Flatbed service or long distance Closed Car Carrier service – as required (no car is driven anywhere was sold), all SA C&F charges, including INSURANCE, and SHIPPING (in a 2-CAR ONLY 40” Sea Container), UK Arrival Port Cost, HMRC Import Costs, UK C&F charge, collection and delivery to the Bury St Edmunds warehouse for unpacking and storage. There is no HIDDEN EXTRA CHARGE. **** please see more detail below ***** HISTORY: The FORD "Consul" CORSAIR was in production from 1963 to 1965. The model was renamed CORSAIR from 1966 with the introduction of the V4-engine (which was not as smooth in running) and the remained in production until 1970. Of the total Consul CORSAIR 1500 production of 159, 951 units manufactured in the UK – in both 2-DR (which was never popular in the UK Home Market) and 4-DR versions of the Standard, Deluxe, and GT derivatives.
There is no mention of how many were CKD-packs for the FORD South Africa Plant.
Of the overall 159, 951 units mentioned only 15, 247 units were Consul CORSAIR GT 4-DR model – which represents only 10. 49% of the overall amount. So, the car was unique and not commonly purchased from the outset. The EXPORT version for South Africa were identical specification to the UK “GT” but the badging was DELUXE and also fitted with the “83” badge instead of branding as the GT version. The CORSAIR when UK launched was thought of as being too similar in design to the FORD USA THUNDERBIRD, which caused dissent among some of the potential buyers in the UK back then – resulted in the sibling shared-platform FORD CORTINA achieving five-fold more sales in the UK. It’s irrelevant to the car advertised, but the 1966-1970 CORSAIR V4 models of 2-DR, 4-DR, and ESTATE design with their respective DELUXE, GT, and E derivatives only managed a waning total over a two year longer production run of 171, 144 units.
As any fan of the CORSAIR cars knows, these cars are extremely rare, particularly when in unmolested, unmodified, and original condition per ex-factory such as this. Let me qualify the value for you. At present a Classic Car Insurance company in the UK give an "OPENING VALUE for top condition cars at £10, 000. Yet, another example from South Africa as well, sold by Auction in December 2021 for £9, 100 but that car had the standard engine – not the GT version. I won’t comment about condition. Then another ex-SA genuine Deluxe 83 example sold for £13, 750 a few years ago. Even this C&C site can't value estimate this car because there is insufficient trading history to use as a baseline.
At the end of the day the PRICE is determined by desire of ownership, the condition of the car, the likely further costs immediately after purchase, the rarity and scarcity of remaining cars coming to market, and perhaps even the subjective increase in value over a period of time.
The DVLA Survivor Cars: Nowadays, the CORSAIR design is quite in vogue, which is a trend that is common when cars of relatively low production standards are consigned to the scrapheap long before their inherent design beauty is recognised. Because of this, CORSAIRs are extremely rare nowadays. Accordingly, only 93 units of FORD Consul CORSAIR Deluxe are UK LICENSED, while a further 42 units are SORN (and might never be re-licensed). There is no split-figure of how many of the 93 units (2024 Q2) are the GT model with the “83” engine.
So, it’s anyone’s guess how many ORIGINAL Consul CORSAIR GT (83) 4-DR exist in the UK.
The SHIPPING: Before shipment the car will undergo DEKRA COR-Test (MoT) and DEKRA Technical Inspection & Report. The car is in South Africa at present but can be landed at LONDON GATEWAY within 5-weeks (maximum) from Bill of Sale Contract and payment in full to my UK account. I refuse to ramp 4-Cars into a 2-Car 40” Sea Container – the cost saving is meagre and not worth the additional risk. All cars exported have comprehensive LLOYDS In-Transit All Risk Damages and Total Loss Insurance. Before 2-Car Container packing, the car will have many images taken on-site, as proof statement of no damage pre-shipping. I recommend the Buyer also purchases a decent car cover – we can discuss type & cost.
Optional EXTRA CHARGES:
Of course, you may arrange for your own trailer or carrier flatbed to collect your car within 7-days of been notified. This is at your own cost, but you will receive a comprehensive document pack and proof of Import NOVA payment. Please don’t drive your car or park in a public street until the car is registered and insured.
If you wish, we can handle the NOVA, MoT, DVLA Registration, Licensing (if applicable), period Black Plates fitted for an extra charge to that stated above, which is £1, 400 including VAT. There is no Storage Fee while this is done on your behalf. After the registration service – if utilised – you can drive your car home, just remember to arrange suitable UK Insurance.
Or we can deliver your car – with or without the DVLA service mentioned - by closed carrier to your elected UK address. This subject to a written quote and dependent on mileage radius required from the warehouse storage.
