1963 Ford Cortina (Mk. I) Super
Benefitting from some significant mechanical upgrades

Registration No: 332 EDA
Chassis No: Z84C274795
MOT: Exempt

• Benefitting from a 2.1-litre Pinto engine and disc-brake conversion
• Believed but not warranted to have covered 96,000 miles from new
• Accompanied by a history file and current V5C document

Named after the Italian resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo, which had held the Winter Olympics some six years earlier, the Ford Consul Cortina was unveiled in September, 1962. Concealing a lightened version of the Consul Classic's substructure beneath bespoke exterior panelling, the newcomer was equipped with MacPherson strut independent suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle and four-wheel drum brakes (though front discs were later standardised). Intended to offer class-leading accommodation and economy, the Cortina was initially powered by an 1198cc OHV 'Kent' four-cylinder engine allied with four-speed manual transmission. Developing some 48.5bhp at 4,800rpm, it was reputedly capable of 78mph and 29mpg. A strong seller, the Ford could be had in two-door, four-door or estate guises and with a variety of engine and trim options. Revised for October, 1964, the Cortina lost its Consul prefix but gained a heater and screen washers as standard, not to mention the much vaunted 'Airflow' ventilation system and improved interior trim. Mk. I production ended in late autumn, 1966, after an impressive 1,010,090 cars had rolled off the assembly line.

With the blessing of Colin Chapman and Lotus, the Mk. I Cortina was transformed into one of the greatest ever “fast Fords” after the humble Kent engine was turned into a racy twin-cam by Harry Mundy, an experienced designer of Coventry-Climax race engines as well as being Technical Editor of Autocar. With a 1,557cc displacement, the Lotus Cortinas were a tour de force in saloon car racing between 1963 and 1965, most famously driven by Jim Clark and winning the saloon car championships of Britain, Europe, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Subsequently, countless enthusiasts have sought to recreate the thrills of the Lotus Cortina, either by building replicas or making modifications of their own, for which purpose the arrival of the overhead-cam Pinto engine in 1970 was a godsend.

This rather racy 1963 Consul Cortina has been turned from family saloon to super saloon courtesy of a highly-tuned 2.1-litre Pinto engine with a Burton Power high-performance head and a quad Keihin CVK carburettor set-up (as used on many performance motorcycles, including Kawasakis and Triumph Bonnevilles). With disc brakes fitted all-round, this Cortina represents a happy marriage of 1960s styling with later tuning and dress-up equipment, also including a Moto-Lita steering wheel and Superlite (Minilite-style) wheels.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452