Price: SOLD via Bring a Trailer | Visit the Auction
Mileage: 14,436 Miles (TMU)
Engine: 1500CC Kent Non-Crossflow 4-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 4-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Alpine Green Exterior
Interior: Black Interior
Additional features:
Cylinder Head Refreshed and Engine Resealed in 2017
Weber Carburetor (standard on GT models)
Electronic Distributor (original distributor included)
Electric and Mechanical Fuel Pumps
Performance Exhaust
Shortened Shift Lever
1.5” Lowering Springs / Shackles
Polyurethane Front Suspension Bushings
English Differential
Raised GT Gauge Binnacle w/ Oil Pressure, Temp, Fuel & Ammeter
1600E (estate) Interior Trim
Retrosound Stereo
Cortina 1600 Estate Interior
13-Inch Rubery Owen Rostyle Staggered Wheels
Geostar Remex PX-615 Tires
UK Market Cortina
Imported in 2015
Right-Hand Drive
UK Historic Vehicle Registration Included w/ Sale
The Mark II Ford Cortina was the second generation of what would become Ford’s most popular family saloon—and eventually one of the most popular saloons in all of Britain. By the Mark II, the Cortina had hit its stride thanks to the stylish and sporty design of Ford of Europe’s Roy Haynes. The Mark II Cortina was so good that by 1967 it had unseated goliath British Motor Company’s (BMC) Austin/Morris 1100 and 1300’s long rule as the most popular new car—and it remained Britain’s most popular new car for nine out of ten years in the decades that followed. Dependable and reliable—because it was a Ford—the Cortina offered the British family man a chance to add some flare and panache to his workday commute. Ford capitalized on this with a variety of trim levels that would eventually mirror the class system in Britain. The Mark II was offered in the Base, Deluxe, Super, GT, and for the later model years the 1600E. The latter two examples featuring such options as a genuine fine wood dashboard, trim and door caps, a console mounted clock, raised GT gauge binnacle, and Rostyle Wheels. The Cortina’s reign didn’t stop on A and B roads either, as with the Mark I, the twin-cam Mark II Lotus Cortina dominated British Touring Car racing. The Ford Cortina was so good, so popular that, while driving an example similar to his father’s own Mark II 1600E, Jeremy Clarkson once said that “…the Cortina, then, had become part of the fabric of Britain…” in what would amount to a total sales of 2.6 million examples.
This 1967 Mark II 1500 GT Ford Cortina came to us on consignment from a fellow airline pilot and enthusiast, who’s collection also includes several BMW 2002s and Porsches. It features the Cortina GT-specific Weber Carburetor, GT raised gauge binnacle, lowered suspension, 1600E (estate) wooden interior trim and door caps, a Retrosound modern stereo, short shifter, and Rostyle staggered (6-front, 7-inch rear) 13-inch wheels. The current owner sought out a Mark II Cortina because it was his first car, growing up in Britain. After searching for several years in the States with no luck he found this Alpine Green example in Cornwall, UK and had it shipped to the States in 2015. It was originally registered in April of 1967, with UK historic vehicle registration number OPG 375E when it was imported. Prior to coming to the States, it was repainted in the original Alpine Green in 2014. Notes in the factory shop manual also show servicing through the 1970s and early 1980s. Under the current owner the interior was restored with reupholstered front seats and replacement carpet, the headliner, and windlace on all door surrounds. The Retrosound stereo was added along with a “Ford” blue clock (the original clock is inoperative, but included). The windshield was replaced, as were the rear window gaskets. In 2017 the cylinder head was refreshed and the engine resealed, along with it all fluids and oils were changed (engine, coolant, brake, gearbox, and differential). An electronic fuel pump was added to supplement the mechanical fuel pump, along with an electronic distributor (the original mechanical distributor is included), fresh spark plugs and wires, the ignition coil, and the battery. The exhaust was also replaced. The stock shifter was shorted, and the brakes were refreshed with rebuilt front calipers, replacement rear wheel cylinders, and fresh pads and shoes on all four corners. The suspension was refreshed with 1.5-inch lowering springs in the front and shackles on the rear leaf springs, polyurethane front bushings, fresh rear shocks and rear wheel bearings. The wheels were wrapped with Rostyle Staggered Wheels tires. It comes with the aforementioned original parts and spares, factory service manuals, and a clean Colorado Title.
The Alpine Green paint is in good condition. It has been repainted (in 2014), and although it has some imperfections, it is glossy and has a nice luster. There is virtually no rust, but the body does have filler in sections (a paint gauge report is included in the records). There are some paint cracks along the left side of the hood and left fender. The right rear door skin was replaced in 2018, and a spare NOS door skin is included in the sale. There is no notable rust. All trim is intact and in good condition. The bumpers are nice shape for their age, but do have some pitting in the finish. The headlight, indicator, and brake light lenses are clear and crack-free, with the exception of the driver’s rear marker. The windshield is clear, but has some scratches. The windshield wiper arms and inserts are in good condition. The 13-inch staggered Rostyle wheels have had the lips repainted, with some patina on the centers that fits the car perfectly. They are wrapped in Geostar Remex RX-615 tires. They have 2014 production dates with plenty of tread remaining.
The Black interior is in great shape. Open the door and you greeted by the perfect old British sports car smell—classic vinyl with a hint of gasoline. There are no odors. The carpet has no stains or tears. The front seats are in excellent shape thanks to recently being reupholstered. The door cards are in good shape, but there are small imperfections in the trim and door card material. The manual windows operate smoothly and quietly. The driver’s door locks do no operate. The dashboard is clean, with the exception of a few hairline cracks. The 3-spoke steering wheel has perfect patina. The headliner does not sag but is loose around the edges. All instruments function properly. The stereo has been upgraded with a Retrosound head unit and aftermarket speakers. The heat blows warm and all controls function correctly. The blower motor is quiet. The spare tire is present, as is a collection of spare parts and several maintenance manuals. Two keys are included with the car.
As it sits this is a turn-key Cortina. The 1500cc Kent engine fires on command and runs strongly, thanks to a cylinder head rebuild in 2017. Around the same time the oil pan gasket and valve cover gaskets were changed. The plugs and wires are fresh, and the ignition system has been upgraded with an electronic distributor. All the fluids were recently changed, and the exhaust system has been replaced. It idles smoothly and pulls strongly to redline. The 4-speed transmission shifts perfectly smooth and the shifter bushings are crisp and tight. The clutch take-up is correct. The lowered suspension still rides well; if cornered aggressively the rear tires have a hint of rub. The brake pads and shoes have lots of life left. There are no driveline or wheel bearing noises or vibrations. The exhaust sounds great and does not drone. It will certainly need continued care and maintenance, as any fifty-year old British car will, but it is a Ford. As it sits, this is a great Cortina ready to be enjoyed by its new owner.
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