Highlights

• Highly original example of an early Series one Mk2 1600E 
• Enormous amount of re fabrication work completed 
• Bare metal re spray
• Original Rostyle alloys
• Only 3 previous keepers

The Appeal 

The Cortina MK2 was very much the everyman's car of '60s Britain. Amongst best-selling new cars of its era, these handsome saloons perfectly balanced the image of a family car with the more stylish age of the mid-century motorist. It quickly sold over a million units, and its success was such that by 1967, the higher-trimmed four-door Cortina 1600E had hit the market. Arguably, this is where the car came into its own.

This new variation on the Cortina boasted the lowered suspension of the Cortina Lotus with the high-tune GT 1600 Kent engine, along with handsome bucket seats, wood capping and plated Rostyle wheels. It was soon carving out an image as the executive car of the well to-do. Perhaps not your true skyscraper executive, but almost certainly the local bank manager.

This handsome early series one example comes to us after the completion of a substantial overhaul of the bodywork. Virtually all of its original panels and arches have been welded and re fabricated to ensure the car remained as original as possible. - Just 3 doors needed replacement.
It's a solid example, with plenty of attractive '60s Patina that makes it an utterly fabulous opportunity for care-free retro-style motoring. Alternatively, you can finish the job, undertake some re-chroming, a bit more fettling and bring the car up to the next level.

Presented in a handsome aubergine livery, this is an utterly charming, honest car that's bound to charm any enthusiast.

The History and Paperwork 

• Registered in 1968
• The DVLA records 3 previous keepers
• Originally painted in 'Silver Fox', subject to a paint recall in period
• As a result, we expect it was painted to Aubergine under warranty 
• Previously prepared by a racing / tuning company, judging from stickers found under the bonnet
• Purchased by the vendor in 2022 as a restoration project
• Substantial work undertaken by the vendor, who runs his own body shop
• Sadly the vendor is now downsizing and simply can't facilitate the car
• It has been driven around the car park near to the shop, but not returned to the road proper
• Car is carrying its original plates
• Currently indicates 47,316 miles
• MOT exempt

• V5c document
• Current and previous log book
• Plenty of invoices from 2022 onwards

The Condition 

• We note the car has been lowered with blocks, giving it a more determined stance 
• Car has been subject to extensive bodywork
• All panels are original
• Every panel was taken down to bare metal by hand
• Corrosion was cut out and welded
• Sealed from the inside to a high standard
• Some repair sections noted in the lower wings and front-section of the rear arches
• All sills are repaired inside and out
• Panel fit is good for a Ford of this era, and doors are opening and closing with no alignment issues
• Repainted to the same Aubergine the car arrived in - the vendor notes this is probably a period warranty respray
• The car's original livery, Silver Fox, was infamous for not adhering - many cars in the era were repainted under Ford Recall
• The paint is in good overall order, with some ripples and tiny dents
• 3 doors are replacements sourced from the Cortina Club, the 1 remaining is original to the car
• Chromework carries patina commensurate with their originality
• The car is sitting on its original Rostyle plated alloys
• Underside has been welded and repaired, some older repairs are also visible 
• Internally, the car is very original
• Some patina to the dash and instruments
• Wood cappings are all present and correct
• Driver's seat has been reupholstered
• The front passenger seat carries some tiny holes in the bolster
• The vendor has a contact who can recover the front seat if necessary and is happy to recommend them
• Rear seat in good overall order
• Some patina to the seat mounts
• Some discolouration to the headlining
• New temperature gauge and reversing light switch installed
• The rev counter and petrol gauge are currently non-functional 

The Mechanics  

• 1600 GT 'Kent' l4
• 4-speed manual transmission
• When under restoration, the vendor noted that the engine had been upgraded
• This is supported by a sticker from a racing/tuning company
• The car has also been converted to run on lead-free fuel by Vulcan Engineering
• The car's engine bay is in very good order
• The vendor notes that the wiring is original
• The car has been started and driven occasionally, though not to long distance
• It's likely, as a result, some reconditioning may be necessary to return to the road

• New clutch including new slave and master cylinders
• New brake pipes and shoes
• New dynamo brushes and regulator
• New battery
• New ignition condenser

BEFORE YOU BUY