 1967 Cortina MKII GT | 1969 Cortina MKII GT  |
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The Ford Cortina began production in 1962 and continued for twenty years. During its lifespan, there were five series created, and later a version by Lotus. Including all versions, more than a million examples were sold. Versions of the Cortina were never sold in the United States, such as the Mark III, but it was available in Canada for a short period of time. Its primary market was in Britain, where it was popular and sales were strong; in 1972 the Cortina MKIII was Britain's most popular car on the market and would continue this until the very early 1980s.
The first version, the MK1, was produced from 1962 through 1966. It was available as a two-door saloon estate, or a four-door sedan. Engine sizes include a 1.2-liter and 1.5-liter units. The larger, 1498cc unit increased horsepower to just under 80. There were a variety of trims offered, such as a Deluxe, Super, and GT which added enhancements to the interior or exterior, along with mechanical upgrades.
The MK1a had elliptical front side-lights while the MK 1b had square side-lights, reworked front grille, and reworked interior including the dashboard and instruments.
The Ford Cortina MK1 was popular, selling 993,143 units during its production lifespan. It was replaced by the MKII version in 1966 which would remain in production until 1970. This version, designed by Roy Haynes, was again offered as a four-door saloon and a two-door estate saloon. The engines carried over for 1966 but were changed in 1967. Beginning in 1967, a 1.3- and 1.6-liter unit with a new cross-flow cylinder head design were offered.
The MKII was very popular, having strong sales during its four year lifespan. The MKIII was introduced in 1970 and brought with it Detroit inspired styling. The 'coke-style' body was popular and by offering the vehicle in a wider variety of trim levels, was able to replace the Ford Corsair and MKII with the MKIII. In comparison to its predecessor, the MKII, the MKIII grew in width and became a little more boxier. Two and four door versions were still offered, though more trim levels were now available, at least five trim levels. The GT and GXL versions were distinguishable by their quad-headlights and Rostyle wheels. The GXL added a vinyl roof, bodyside rubstripe, and extra paneling o the rear.
Ford offered a variety of engines with the MKIII, including a 1.3-, 1.6-, and 2.0-liter variants. The 1.6-liter unit came in two flavors, a Kent version and a Pinto SOHC unit. The Kent version was used solely for the GT trim levels while the SOHC Pinto version was used on the GT and the GXL. The 1.6-liter unit was used for a short time on the GXL, Grand Xtra Luxury, before it was replaced by a larger, 2-liter unit.
Though the MKIII bodystyle lasted for six years, during that time it was given mild improvements. Near the close of 1973, the grille was modified and the headlights were replaced with rectangular ones on many bodystyles. The GXL bodystyle was replaced with the 2000E. Inside, the gentle sloping dashboard was replaced with a more traditional design.
The Cortina MKIV was introduced in 1976. By this time, time and fashion had changed the car to fit with modern demands, and as such, carried very little design cues from the very early Cortina models. The Cortina had now become square in shape and was basically a re-badged Ford Taunus. The dashboard and most of the running gear were carried over from the prior version. The car continued to be offered in two and four door saloons and a five-door estate. Trim levels included the base, L, GL, and S. New were the Ghia trims which were the top-of-the-line bodystyles.
The Uwe Bahnsen MKIV version continued in production until 1979 which it was replaced by the MKV, the final version of the Cortina. Though it was an MKV version, it was officially known as the Cortina 80. The bodstyle design was very different from the MKIV. The headlights and turn indicators were now incorporated into the grille. There was more glass area, revised vent covers and C-pillars, and a flatter roof.
A variety of bodystyles continued to be offered along with special edition models such as the Calypso, Carousel and Crusader. Most of the special editions were offered in limited numbers, but not the Crusader.
Engine's included a 1.3, 1.6, 2.0-liter four-cylinder units. A 2.3-Liter six-cylinder unit was also available.
Production of the Cortina continued until 1982 when it was replaced by the Sierra.
Lotus Cortina
The Lotus version of the Cortina was produced from 1963 through 1968 and was intended as a performance version of the highly successful Ford Cortina. To improve upon the vehicles performance, Lotus removed many non-essential items and lightened the overall vehicle. Aluminum alloy panels were used throughout the vehicle to held reduce weight while improving the structural rigidity of the vehicle. It was available in only on color, white with a green flash. Mounted under the hood was a Lotus Twincam 1558cc dual overhead cam engine that produced just over 100 horsepower. Improvements continued throughout the vehicles mechanical components including the suspension and gearbox.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2007
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe first version, the MK1, was produced from 1962 through 1966. It was available as a two-door saloon estate, or a four-door sedan. Engine sizes include a 1.2-liter and 1.5-liter units. The larger, 1498cc unit increased horsepower to just under 80. There were a variety of trims offered, such as a Deluxe, Super, and GT which added enhancements to the interior or exterior, along with mechanical upgrades.
The MK1a had elliptical front side-lights while the MK 1b had square side-lights, reworked front grille, and reworked interior including the dashboard and instruments.
The Ford Cortina MK1 was popular, selling 993,143 units during its production lifespan. It was replaced by the MKII version in 1966 which would remain in production until 1970. This version, designed by Roy Haynes, was again offered as a four-door saloon and a two-door estate saloon. The engines carried over for 1966 but were changed in 1967. Beginning in 1967, a 1.3- and 1.6-liter unit with a new cross-flow cylinder head design were offered.
The MKII was very popular, having strong sales during its four year lifespan. The MKIII was introduced in 1970 and brought with it Detroit inspired styling. The 'coke-style' body was popular and by offering the vehicle in a wider variety of trim levels, was able to replace the Ford Corsair and MKII with the MKIII. In comparison to its predecessor, the MKII, the MKIII grew in width and became a little more boxier. Two and four door versions were still offered, though more trim levels were now available, at least five trim levels. The GT and GXL versions were distinguishable by their quad-headlights and Rostyle wheels. The GXL added a vinyl roof, bodyside rubstripe, and extra paneling o the rear.
Ford offered a variety of engines with the MKIII, including a 1.3-, 1.6-, and 2.0-liter variants. The 1.6-liter unit came in two flavors, a Kent version and a Pinto SOHC unit. The Kent version was used solely for the GT trim levels while the SOHC Pinto version was used on the GT and the GXL. The 1.6-liter unit was used for a short time on the GXL, Grand Xtra Luxury, before it was replaced by a larger, 2-liter unit.
Though the MKIII bodystyle lasted for six years, during that time it was given mild improvements. Near the close of 1973, the grille was modified and the headlights were replaced with rectangular ones on many bodystyles. The GXL bodystyle was replaced with the 2000E. Inside, the gentle sloping dashboard was replaced with a more traditional design.
The Cortina MKIV was introduced in 1976. By this time, time and fashion had changed the car to fit with modern demands, and as such, carried very little design cues from the very early Cortina models. The Cortina had now become square in shape and was basically a re-badged Ford Taunus. The dashboard and most of the running gear were carried over from the prior version. The car continued to be offered in two and four door saloons and a five-door estate. Trim levels included the base, L, GL, and S. New were the Ghia trims which were the top-of-the-line bodystyles.
The Uwe Bahnsen MKIV version continued in production until 1979 which it was replaced by the MKV, the final version of the Cortina. Though it was an MKV version, it was officially known as the Cortina 80. The bodstyle design was very different from the MKIV. The headlights and turn indicators were now incorporated into the grille. There was more glass area, revised vent covers and C-pillars, and a flatter roof.
A variety of bodystyles continued to be offered along with special edition models such as the Calypso, Carousel and Crusader. Most of the special editions were offered in limited numbers, but not the Crusader.
Engine's included a 1.3, 1.6, 2.0-liter four-cylinder units. A 2.3-Liter six-cylinder unit was also available.
Production of the Cortina continued until 1982 when it was replaced by the Sierra.
Lotus Cortina
The Lotus version of the Cortina was produced from 1963 through 1968 and was intended as a performance version of the highly successful Ford Cortina. To improve upon the vehicles performance, Lotus removed many non-essential items and lightened the overall vehicle. Aluminum alloy panels were used throughout the vehicle to held reduce weight while improving the structural rigidity of the vehicle. It was available in only on color, white with a green flash. Mounted under the hood was a Lotus Twincam 1558cc dual overhead cam engine that produced just over 100 horsepower. Improvements continued throughout the vehicles mechanical components including the suspension and gearbox.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2007
 1968
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| 1967 Cortina MKII GT | 1969 Cortina MKII GT |
