FORD CORTINA

Jack Grover

Production Editor

Contact: Kelsey Media Instagram DM: @classicsworlduk Email: joe.miller@kelsey.co.uk classicsworld.co.uk

Ford Cortina L

Last summer we bought our Mk3 Cortina for two reasons. First, the feedback from readers and viewers told us that you can’t really get enough of classic Fords; and second, we wanted to investigate the growing trend of importing a car from South Africa, where lots of classics familiar to British enthusiasts are seemingly available in right-hand drive and in pristine structural condition after a lifetime of gentle sun, balmy weather and no road salt.

The Cortina was already in the UK when we purchased it, so we didn’t have to actually source the car from South

ONE TO BUY: Year: 1977 Price: £8500 MoT: Exempt

Africa, but we did have to get all the sales, importation, customs and tax forms sorted out before we signed on the dotted line.

What we bought was a 1977 Ford Cortina Mk3 1600 L. Ford fans will have noticed that, as far as the UK was concerned, Ford had already moved onto the Mk4 by then – this is one of the quirks of buying from South Africa, since cars often continued in production some time after they did in Europe. Local production brings cosmetic differences too, such as our Cortina’s black grille. Under the bonnet is the 1.6-litre Kent Crossflow – familiar, to be sure, but not what you’d find powering a British Cortina 1600 of 1977.

Our first impressions were very favourable; we’d managed to pick up a solid, sound and decent-looking Cortina with an ease (and at a price) that wouldn’t be possible on the UK market. It had 113,000 kilometres (70,000 miles) on the clock, and it looked and drove how a low-mileage, well-maintained car from a kind climate should. Notably, whereas rust wasn’t a major concern, age and heat had not been kind to many of the rubber components.

This meant it wasn’t perfect, but once it had received a period (R-suffix) UK registration, the Cortina was quickly pressed into service on features, road trips and as a daily driver, impressing all who drove it with its ride quality, the condition of its interior and its reliability. New track rod ends and gaiters smartened up the steering and a new alternator kept the battery properly topped up. New vacuum pipes and a few tweaks to the carburettor smoothed out the power delivery and returned a few extra horses. New door seals stopped the British weather getting into that wellpreserved interior.

Despite the reputation of South African cars, close investigation showed that the Cortina wasn’t actually rot-free. Inner sills on both sides, the floorpan under the driver’s seat, the spare wheel well, and a tricky area around the left-hand boot lid hinge all needed new metal, and we treated the bonnet to a respray at the same time after removing some deep chip damage.

OR MAYBE..?

Other work included fitting a speedometer that reads in miles, inertia-reel seatbelts and a UK-spec thermostat and heater unit (South African cars have a heater that is mostly a token affair).

The big test for the revitalised Cortina was the Classic Ford Tour 2022, a 600mile trip through France and Belgium in the middle of a heatwave. The car came through the experience flawlessly. And now you can go on similar adventures; it has just had a full service, is mechanically sweet, it shines like a new car and is now structurally sound as well. It may not be the genuine UK article, but that’s just another talking point and it means we’re offering the Cortina at a considerably lower price than the going rate for a UK-spec 1600 in similar condition.

TECH SPEC

ENGINE: POWER: TOP SPEED: 0-60MPH: 1598cc, 4-cyl 71bhp 92mph 17.8 secs

ECONOMY: GEARBOX:

29.5mpg 4-spd, man

VAUXHALL CAVALIER

A few weeks ago, our Cortina faced off against an early Mk1 Cavalier for a head-to-head video on our Classics World YouTube channel. The conclusion was that the Cavalier was the better car, as you’d expect being developed a generation later. A more refined, more modern product and with distinctive styling all of its own, the Cavalier is also significantly more affordable… but it does lack those famous Coke bottle looks.

MORRIS MARINA

The Marina was also made in South Africa, but whether you find an import or a UK original, this will probably be the only car to get more attention and comments than a Mk3 Cortina. For all its controversial reputation, the Marina is a simple, solid and dependable ’70s classic with decent parts support and the promise of easy ownership. The meaty 1.8-litre version also has benefits in modern traffic over the Cortina’s 1.6.

HILLMAN AVENGER

Sitting between the Cortina and Escort size-wise, the Avenger was consistently rated above the Ford for the quality of its ride and the sharpness of its handling. But it didn’t have either the fleet-friendly budget models at the bottom of the range or the aspirational big-engined executives at the top, which is what helped Ford to have such a hit. Arguably the thinking person’s Cortina alternative, the Avenger still holds plenty of appeal.