5k: Survivor Status: 1969 Ford Cortina
The 2nd generation Ford Cortina was released in 1968 by Ford of Britain with the catchy slogan: “The New Cortina is more Cortina.” The statement was true because the compact sedan used the same Kent inline-4 power up front and simple lightweight formula that makes it a great competitor to the BMW 2002. Surprisingly, the prices of Cortinas haven’t shot up like those of the 2002 in the last few years, but you never know what will happen in the future. Find this 1969 Ford Cortina here on craigslist, offered for $5,100 in Thousand Oaks, CA. Tip from FuelTruck.
Unfortunately the seller only includes one photo of the Cortina, but the description sounds good, this is a 4-speed car, it runs/drives well and has original CA plates (the seller says blue, but ’69 should be black). There is some rust in the bottom of the front fenders, but if this is original paint, I’d be tempted to leave it alone but address the rust.
See another example of Ford’s Model C? tips@dailyturismo.com
Obviously some interior shots are sorely missing. But I think you're right that this is a model that has been forgotten for valuation sake, but probably won't be so forever.
Not as cool as one with a Lotus twin cam under the hood, but cool nonetheless.
Hard to judge this car from one photo. I wish it was a GT. My first car was a 1970 Cortina GT. The GT package included a weber carb, tubular headers, a front sway bar, wider wheels and tires, and of course the lovely wooden dash with a full set of instruments.
As I remember, the gearbox on the GT also was changed to a close ratio setup, which made first gear really tall. I learned all about that when I had to use the car to take my driving test, and stalled on a takeoff. Luckily the inspector was feeling generous, and he passed me anyway.
That car also taught me many many lessons about things mechanical. In the 60 months I drove it, it broke about 60 times. Some were fairly minor (hand brake cable) and some were fairly spectacular (like a frozen crankcase breather that caused the engine to pump all its oil out through the dipstick hole).
Eventually it became the subject of my first engine overhaul (which was also my Dad's last engine overhaul). That began my affair with Kent Fords, which continues to this day through Formula Ford. Great memories….
I really liked my Kent 1600 in my 4-speed 1973 Pinto. I drove it 110 miles round trip to work. I drove it to 160,000 miles with no problems. Gotta love how easy it was to adjust the valves!!!
It was not fast, but sitting near the ground and doing 75 seems like you were flying to work! The Kent just humming it's fine tuned one note song.
I sold thePinto as the body started getting rusty.
The Mk1s have appreciated a fair bit, mind you they were mostly starting from zero.
The Mk1 Lotus-Cortinas…well, if you find one that had Jimmy Clark's backside in its seat at some point, the foggy skies of Jolly Old are the limit.
The Mk2s, even the Locorts, suffer by comparison to the Mk1s (and the later Mk1/Mk2 Escorts, never sold in the US but they creep in from time to time.)