Ford Cortina Mk I

The Cortina was the start of a most successful chapter in Ford's history. Named after a district in Italy it was originally badged as the Consul Cortina. The Mk I was introduced into the UK in 1962 and was built until 1967.

Ford began a very successful liaison with Lotus who turned the family Cortina into a much respected express. Success on track and rally came with the Lotus Cortina and it was probably the fore-father of all those 80's hot hatches.

The Cortina estate widened the appeal of this best selling family car and the top of the range estates were fitted out with the fake wood trims, reminiscent of the US station wagons. These panels were riveted on and were a questionable improvement to the cars looks

Ford Cortina Mk II

The Mk II Cortina followed in 1966 and was again quite different in looks and appeal to the Mk I. It proved to be a big selling family car again and the 1600cc (executive) models have proved to be both durable and collectable.

Estates were a part of the Mk II scene also. The load area was bigger than on the Mk I. A very neat design did not compromise the attractive lines of the Mk II saloon.

Ford Cortina Mk III

Ford broke the mould when designing the coke-bottle Mk III. It seemed to provoke extremes of love or loathing but was still a best seller and showed Ford were bold enough to go their own way. Nowadays it must be the most recognisable Cortina, available from 1300 - 2000cc and introduced the long standing badging of L, XL and GXL.

The Mk III Cortina estates were larger again than the predecessors with the rear 3/4 continuing the styling cues of the saloon.

When Crayford took hold of Cortinas, they produced some very attractive and highly sought after convertibles.

Ford Cortina Mk IV

The shortest span of all Cortinas, it was introduced in 1977 and replaced by the Mk V in 1981 (although Ford never called it the Mk V). It was similar to the Mk II design and completely about-turn on the Mk III styling. The Mk IV received the most powerful engine yet in the 2.3 V6 developed for the Granada. Available from 1300 - 2300cc and in two and four door bodyshells.

The estates continued in Mk IV guise and from the rear are very similar to the later Mk V models. The Ghia badge was first seen on the Mk IV Cortina

Ford Cortina Mk V

The Mk IV was soon freshened up and commonly called the Mk V. It gave indicators and nose to the MK IV and looked less square-edged.

The estates were by now a well established star in the Cortina line up and the Mk V was little altered from the Mk IV.

Crayford conversions (amongst others) were available for the Mk V also. Convertibles are to be found across all the Cortina range but are pretty scarce. A number have been converted in later life.

The XR6 is a South African Cortina. The Australians and South Africans knew how to spice up the Cortina by putting in outrageous 3 and 4 litre engines. This XR6 was the same body as the Mk V but had a 140-bhp V6 engine fitted.