History

The Cortina was the start of a run of success for Ford that lasted for about twenty years. The concept for the Cortina came about when Terence Beckett, it's creator, identified a market for a low cost family saloon in the sector above that which was dominated by the BMC Mini, which was launched in 1959.
Disappointing sales of the heavy and somewhat over engineered Ford Classic, and the worrying success of the mini prompted Beckett to created a brand new car which would be the latest in design whilst retaining Ford's "value for money" reputation.
The Ford Cortina had a conventional rear drive with a four speed all synchromeshed box and a  1200cc version of the straight four 997cc engine first seen in the Anglia which was launched in 1959.
The bodywork was crisp and modern, and the basic car was very competitively priced, costing £36 less than the smaller Morris 1100 (£675). Even the better equiped Deluxe model cost only £666.
In 1963 the larger, 1500cc engined, Cortina Super was introduced. Featuring Improved braking and better trim. Estate and GT models were released later in the same year.
More than 300,000 Cortinas were sold within a year of announcement, and the Millionth Cortina rolled off the production line in September 1966.

 

Practicality

Styling Changes to the Mk1 Cortina were limited to a mild frontal redesign in 1965, when the grille was widened to incoperate the indicator lamps. The Consul was also dropped at this stage, however the car did gain front disc brakes and the excellent Aeroflow ventilation system which featured eyeball vents at either side of the newly designed facia. Heaters were an optional extra on early examples, though they were standardised from 1965.

The mechanicals of the Cortina are simple to maintain, the drive trains being common to other Ford models, however body pannels are now becoming scarce as rust was a problem. The engines are very fre revving units, but are subject to bearing wear. Despite the large numbers built the Mk1 cortina is relatively rare, particuarly in estate form.

 

Buying

The main problem with many of the 60's and 70's Fords was rusting of the mountings for the front suspension struts. Check also the underbody, sills and bulkhead and pay close attention to the inner wings. Engine swapping was common, and it common to find the later Kent OHC 1600cc.

	1200	1500
Years Produced	1962-66	1962-66
Engine	In-line four cylinder Ohv, cast iron block and head
Capacity	1198cc	1498cc
Max Power	48.5bhp @ 4800rpm	59.5bhp @ 4600rpm
Max Torque	63.5lb ft @ 2700rpm	97lb ft @ 3600rpm
Transmission	Four-speed all-synchromesh manual
Suspension	Front: MacPhearson Strut, telescopic dampers, anit-roll bar Rear: live axle, leaf springs, telescopic dampers
Brakes	Girling hydraulic drums all round. 8in Front and rear	Girling hydraulic drums all round, 9in Front, 8in rear.
Steering	Recirculating ball
Length	14ft 3in
Width	5ft 2in
Max Speed	76.5mph	80.3mph
0-60mph	22.5sec	19.8sec
Fuel cons	27mpg