Highlights

• Subject to extensive restoration from the bare body shell up
• Recently recommissioned by current owner to an extremely high standard
• Sits on custom made 17” AZEV alloy wheels
• Wonderfully presented throughout

The Appeal

 
Ask anyone of a certain age and the chances are they will have at some point in their life, had or spent considerable time in a Ford Cortina. Whether it was their own, their dads or anything in between, the Ford Cortina was the car for the everyman and has undoubtedly been a part of many families memories throughout the four generations production spanned. The glorious blue oval showed the world that a practical family car needn’t come at the compromise of style and driving pleasure.
 
PYM 185F is a striking second generation variant of the esteemed model. In its 1600E guise, it was subject to a thorough restoration over a four year period in the early 2000s, before an extensive refresh throughout 2023 at the hands of its current keeper. Standing in great condition both aesthetically and mechanically, it's certainly an eye catcher and one of the more interesting Cortinas out there, and for the avid Ford lover, it's primed and ready for a summer season full of shows and cruising.
 

 

The History and Paperwork

• First registered 14/02/1968
• Just three previous owners from new
• Purchased from the second owner in the early 2000s by a mechanic for the revered East London workshop Rude Mercs
• After purchase the car was stripped to its bare shell before being painstakingly rebuilt over the proceeding four years
• Following a change of hands in 2016, the car was placed into a garage where it remained untouched for eight years before being purchased by the current owner in 2023
• Following acquisition in 2023 the vendor set about a general refresh and recommission of the car with new parts purchased largely from Ford legends Burton Power
• As we understand the car has had quite the presence on the show circuit and has been featured in “Street Machine” magazine
• Accompanied by a well documented photo album detailing the restoration
• Several invoices present many of which are from Burton Power for parts bought for the post 2023 recommission
• Tax, MOT and ULEZ exempt due to the age and historic status of the vehicle
• V5 registration document is present with the car

 

The Condition

• Marvellously presented, in great aesthetic order throughout
• Striking gold colour scheme, resprayed to an incredibly high standard during its early 2000s restoration
• The paintwork itself is in great order, having borne the test of time incredibly well, it still presents with a glorious, vibrant shine
• Very light signs of age and patina throughout the exterior of the car, however the car is still very much in show worthy condition
• 17” AZEV alloys reside at all four corners; these were custom drilled to fit the car, with it understood to be one of the first Cortina’s to be fitted with 17” wheels
• External trim and chromework is of a good standard and presents as such
• Black vinyl roof panel with replacement Webasto pull back ragtop fitted, in great working order
• We are informed new old stock wings, doors, sills and arches were fitted during the car’s original restoration
• Fitted with a brand new interior at the time which is still in impeccable order
• Deep black upholstery throughout, in excellent order, with high quality seating front and rear and matching door panels with wood finish door cappings
• Internal fixtures, fascias and switchgear are in thoroughly great shape with minimal signs of age visible
• Alpine radio head unit

 

The Mechanics

• 1600E variant equipped with legendary 1.6 litre four cylinder engine
• Paired to a quality four speed manual transmission
• Subject to extensive refresh by the current keeper through late 2023 with new parts sourced from revered Ford specialists Burton Power
• The vendor also commissioned an auto electrician to rewire the car with a new dashboard loom and modern flat blade fuse terminal
• The Cortina fires into life quickly and comfortably and in no time settles into a comfortable idle
• The vendor reports of a wonderful overall driving experience, with a characteristic classic Ford level of driver engagement
• The underside of the car looks to be in good solid form throughout

 

Summary