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| Cortina MKIII |
By 1970, the Cortina name had become synonymous with success. Both the MKI and the MKII versions had been sales chart toppers and each had proved itself with a million plus pedigree. The Dagenham plant's Ford Cortina had assuredly become the industry's benchmark by which cars in that class were judged.
Cortina's broad appeal, together with its success in motorsport, entered the 70's with new looks, a wider range of models and engines as well as increased levels of refinement and equipment that were needed to beat of Continental and Japanese imports which were slowly, but certainly gaining ground.
Dagenham's answer came wit the elegant, curvaceous lines of the MKIII Cortina, humorously dubbed the "Coke Bottle" due to the side elevation appearance.
The launch of the MKIII Cortina was affected by the aftermath of the longest industrial dispute in Ford's UK history - but launched it was in October 1970. The larger, sleeker Cortina went "upmarket" to fulfil motorists' desires for more car for their money as well as a wider choice of engines and extra motoring comforts.
At launch there were 2 and 4 door saloons and a 4 door estate in "L" and "XL" trims and featuring 1300 and 1600 overhead valve and 2 litre overhead camshaft engines. "GT" and top of the range "GXL" models were offered with 1600cc and 2 litre engines. The 2 door 1300XL saloon was priced at £1014 8s 5d of which £237 8s 5d was purchase tax. A model such as the 2 litre GXL was priced at £1338 3s 10d including £313 3s 5d purchase tax.
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Within 4 months, certain "lead in" models such as base derivatives and 2 door L saloons were dropped in a rationalisation of the range that continued until September 1973. Major improvements included: revised front and rear suspension with anti roll bars front and rear,; new instrument layouts; revised gear ratios on 1300cc and 1600cc models and a 1.6 litre overhead camshaft engine that replaced the ohv unit. The "GXL" badge also gave way to a new 2000E (Executive) model in both saloon and estate car forms.
Specifications were improved again in 1975 under ford's Value For Money program. With VFM, as it was known, all models received tailored carpets, cloth trim, servo brakes, heated rear windows, hazard flashers and cigar lighter.
Appearance of 1300 and 1600L models was changed significantly by the use of rectangular headlamps. Estate cars (except the Base) were fitted with tailgate wash/wipe. The MKIII's production closed at an impressive 1,126,559.
Ford in Germany also built 1,094,315 of the largely identical Taunus models between 1970 and 1975.
| August 1970 |
MKIII Cortina introduced. 2-, 4-door Saloon, L, XL; 4-door Estate car, L, XL. 1300, 1600 OHV engines, 2000 OHC. GT and GXL models with 1600 and 2-litre engines. |
| December 1971 | GT, GXL, rev. Counter and clock positions interposed. |
| February 1972 |
Base version no longer available with 2-litre on saloon and estate car. 2-door L saloon no longer available with 2-litre. 2-door XL saloon and estate car no longer available with 1300. |
| April 1973 |
Estate car base and L no longer available with 1300. 2-Door XL saloon with 2-litre discontinued. 1600 GT discontinued. 1600 GXL discontinued. |
| September 1973 |
Cortina range improvements. Revised front and rear suspension with anti-roll bars front and rear. OHC engine on 1600cc models. 2000E introduced to replace GXL. New instrument layout on all models with rev counter on XL, GT and E. Revised gear ratios 130011600 models. |
| September 1974 | 2000E estate car introduced. |
| December 1974 |
Improved specification 2000GT. Colour keyed carpet and new badge on L models. |
| October 1975 |
All models have carpet, cloth trim, servo brakes, heated rear window, hazard flashers and cigar lighter, rectangular headlamps on 1.311.6L. Estates (except base) fitted with wash/wipe. Improved spec on L, XL, GT & E. |
| February 1976 |
1300 models fitted with economy engine. Auto transmission available on all models except 1300 |
| September 1976 | MKIII discontinued |
Specifications
| 1300 | 1600 OHV | 160 OHC | 2000 OHC | |
| Engine | in-line 1298cc 4 cylinder ohv |
in-line 1498cc 4 cylinder ohv |
in-line 1498cc 4 cylinder ohv |
in-line 1558cc 4 cylinder dohc |
| Bore x Stroke | 80.98 x 62.99mm | 80.96 x 72.75mm | 80.96 x 72.75mm | 82.6 x 72.75mm |
| Maximum Power | 57bhp @ 5500 rpm | 59.5bhp @ 4600rpm | 78bhp @ 5200rpm | 105bhp @ 5500rpm |
| Transmission | 4 speed | |||
| Wheelbase | 101.5 in (2580mm) | |||
| Track | 56.9 in (1445mm) | |||
| Length | 167.7 in (4260mm) | |||
| Front Suspension | SLA coil and wishbone | |||
| Rear Suspension | Beam axle with upper and lower trailing arms and coil springs | |||
| Brakes | Four wheel hydraulic (front disc/rear drum) | |||
| Maximum Speed | 85mph (137kmh) | 91mph (146kmh) | 101mph (162kmh) | 103mph (166kmh) |
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