Gail's Ford Cortina Page - www.Cortina80.co.uk

The first Cortina, which appeared in September 1962, was designed under the codename "Archbishop" at a cost of £13 million. The body was styled by Canadian, Roy Brown while the co-ordination of the project was the responsibility of Terry (now Sir Terence) Beckett who would later become chairman and managing director of Ford in Britain.

Cortina was to combine contemporary design within an overall package that was light and spacious internally, yet compact in its overall dimensions.

The body design was arrived at using aircraft technology that not only optimised the metal to strength ratio but gave a weight saving of at least 150lbs.

In Britain, the car was intended to carry over the respected "Consul" name which did in fact appear on the earliest models alongside the name "Cortina" . The name helped add an international flavour being named after the town in the Dolomites, Cortina d'Ampezzo, home to the 1956 Winter Olympics.

With prices including purchase tax of £639 for the 2-door standard model and £666 10s 3d, for the Deluxe model Cortina soon became Ford's most important car range, sweeping all competition aside to become the best selling car in Britain.

The MKI was launched in September 1962 with just one engine size of 1195cc. The initial production of only 20,000 also carried a Consul bonnet badge. By January 1963, a 1500cc engined model was available with larger brakes and chrome body strip embellishments.

Also in January of 1963, Ford presented its ace card with the introduction of the limited production Lotus Cortina which was to set British motoring enthusiasts alight with its 105bhp twin camshaft 1558cc engine.

Estate cars, including "Super" models borrowing "woody" side panelling popular in America, two and four door "GT" models, and a column change, three speed automatic were all introduced to the eager public in 1963.

Cortina MKI models also saw the introduction in September 1964 of Ford's patented Aeroflow heating and ventilation system and the adoption of front disc brakes. By the time the MKI had ceased production in September 1966 no fewer than 1,013,391 had been produced.

21st September 1962	Cortina MKI announced. 1195cc engine only. 'Consul' on bonnet nameplate.
October 1962	4 door introduced
January 1963	1500cc engine optional on De Luxe models. Super introduced with 1500cc engine, bigger brakes, improved trim and body chrome strips. Cortina Lotus introduced.
March 1963	Estate cars introduced. Mechanical specifications as for saloons. Exterior wood panelling on Super estate cars.
April 1963	2 and 4 door GT introduced. High output engine (78bhp), remote change gearbox, disc brakes.
September 1963	Circular instruments added in binnacle over steering column.
December 1963	Automatic transmission (Borg Warner) available on 1500cc models.
September 1964	All models modified with close mesh grille. Cortina badges on bonnet and boot. Aeroflow ventilation. Front disc brakes.
September 1965	Standard saloon no longer available. Column change dropped. Fixed quarter vents on all models. Exterior wood trim on Super estate cars dropped. Semi-elliptic springs replace coils on Lotus. Close ratio gearbox on Cortina Lotus.
September 1966	MKI Cortina Saloon discontinued.
November 1966	Mk 1 Cortina Estate discontinued.

	1200	1500	Cortina GT	Lotus Cortina
Engine	in-line 1198cc 4 cylinder ohv	in-line 1498cc 4 cylinder ohv	in-line 1498cc 4 cylinder ohv	in-line 1558cc 4 cylinder dohc
Bore x Stroke	80.96 x 58.17mm	80.96 x 72.75mm	80.96 x 72.75mm	82.6 x 72.75mm
Maximum Power	48.5bhp @ 4800 rpm	59.5bhp @ 4600rpm	78bhp @ 5200rpm	105bhp @ 5500rpm
Transmission	4 speed
Wheelbase	98.25 in (2495mm)
Track	49.5 in (1255mm)
Length	170.5 in (4330mm)
Front Suspension	independent MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension	semi elliptic
Brakes	Four wheel hydraulic (front disc/rear drum)
Maximum Speed	80mph (128kmh)	83mph (134kmh)	91.5mph (147kmh)	106mph (166kmh)