Very good fun in the wet
Carburettor packed up 67000.
Seats got worn down.
Heater rad kept breaking.
This car was not as fast as wanted, but with a race cam and electronic ignition and twin 45 carburettors and a for branch exhaust manifold it was fast.
The cabin was very luxury indeed with wood dash and top door cards.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 28th February, 2005
Started to show its age towards the end, but gave excellent service over a period of six years
Rust on right front wing was so severe that it had to be replaced after 170,000 miles.
Brake cable snapped and had to be replaced after 178,000 miles.
Stereo/cassette player packed up after 183,000 miles and I didn't bother replacing it.
Blow-air heating system failed after 189,000 miles and I didn't bother replacing it.
Gearbox became faulty after 196,000 miles and had to be replaced.
Safety catch on tailgate snapped and had to be replaced after 205,000 miles.
Some of the car's bodywork and its gearbox began to show their age, but the Cortina's engine was as tough as old boots.
I quite enjoyed driving the Cortina and found it really comfortable as well.
When I sold the car it was 21 years old and had covered 211,000 miles.
I had paid £350 for Cortina when it was 15 years old. Six years later I sold it on a street corner for £70.
It was written off the following year by joyriders.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th December, 2004
The best car Ford ever produced
Had to replace the alternator
The car has had a new master cylinder
New clutch fitted.
My car has stood the test of time by not failing any mot's since it was built in 1972
The car has had its first respray in 2004 and the original paint still was OK, but needed tidying
The car is a lovely ride far better than the newer cars ford produced
Although the car only has a 1.6 engine this pulls the car quite well if driven properly.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd September, 2004
My first car was a Mk3 Cortina. I admit the handling was poor but like you, I agree that the gearchange was wonderful. I'd love another because they're so refreshing compared to modern cars.
Plus, they are worth a lot of money now. People pay a lot of cash to get themselves a clean MK3 Cortina these days.
Ford's mini-Jaguar
I can't really rant about things that have gone wrong with the car as it is 34 years old.
Provided you keep the fluids topped up mechanically they are bullet-proof.
Body has some superficial rust in places though I'm hoping this won't become any more than a cosmetic issue for a couple of years yet.
I have replaced many items as a matter of course, but this is to be expected as the years wear on.
My car is finished in Gold and it is a real head turner as they are an un-common site nowadays (I've yet to pass another when I'm out on my Sunday drive, where are you all?!?)
Handling I think is quite good for a car designed in the sixties. It has a tendency to wander on the road, but I think this is due to the old-fashioned steering box.
Brakes, though not servo assisted, are adequate and will stop you in a hurry if need be.
Interior is quite good, all that wood and plush seats (for 1970) and the drivers view of the road is very good.
The engine is fairly pokey for an OHV but it is very noisey and un-refined the twin choke Weber carb gives good power delivery and the gearbox is a delight, proper snick-snick action that you get with rear-drive boxes of this vintage and good ratios to back it up.
Mechanical items are cheap enough, but trim, body panels and exterior chrome command a premium and are getting scarcer.
There are several owners clubs catering for the Mk II Cortina with a good following and there are usually a few cars at classic car shows throughout the UK so they remain relatively popular, they're never going to rival the following of MG's, Beetle's or Morris Minor's, but that's just life. I love my 1600E and I plan to hang on to it for as long as I can afford to, I would use it every day if i could but it would only accelerate the inevitable deterioration of it.
It's 34 years old and shows that Ford really could build a stylish saloon car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 1st April, 2004
I remember these when they were new- they were always a desireable car, but quality left something to be desired. the paint used to fall off in sheets and you could break into them using a yale front door key, the locks were so bad.
But then just about every British built car back then had its problems.
4th Aug 2005, 20:01
Your ONSLOW aren't you? How is Hyacith? And Daisy?