Ford (Australia) Cortina Mk I

Chevy Bel Air and Porsche 550 Spyder were the two most trending cars of the 50s. Of course,
there were a few other cars, like Jaguar XK120, MG TD, etc., but they got less popular than these
two cars.

The Chevy Bel Air and the Porsche 550 Spyder wildly succeeded in the 1950s. The Bel Air was
one of the most popular cars of the decade, while the 550 Spyder was one of the most successful
race cars of its time. Both cars were stylish, well-built, and performed exceptionally well.

Chevy and Spyder lost their market as new technologies were introduced to the automobile
market. The icing on the cake was when the Ford Cortina Mk I was introduced in 1962 and quickly
became one of the most popular cars in Australia. It was stylish, reliable, and affordable, making
it one of the most popular cars of the decade. The Cortina's success helped to establish Ford as
one of the leading automakers in Australia.

The Cortina Mk I was available in sedan and station wagon body styles and was popular with
Australian drivers. It sold over 100,000 units during its production run, and in 2005 it was the best-
selling locally built vehicle in Australia.

It was based on the British Ford Consul Cortina, which was based on the American Ford Falcon.
The Cortina was an instant success and became one of Australia's top-selling cars.
Engine and performance specifications:
The Ford Cortina Mk I engine had a 1.5L capacity producing 60 horsepower. The sedan's base
price (Standard) was approximately 2,800 AUD, while the station wagon cost 3,000 AUD. It could
reach up to 100km/h at top speed. Ford Cortina Mk I had a wheelbase of 102 inches (2,590 mm)
and an overall length of 180 inches (4,570 mm). Curb weight ranged between 2,300 and 2,400
pounds (1,043 and 1,089 kg). It was powered by a 1.5-liter overhead valve inline-four engine,
which produced 54.5 - 98 horsepower.
Limelight Interior:
The Australian Ford Cortina Mk I was available with a vinyl or cloth interior. The seats were
trimmed in black, red, or blue, and the door panels featured a contrasting color insert. The center
console was finished in brushed aluminum, and the dashboard was trimmed in black vinyl.
Standard features included a heater, an AM radio, and a cigarette lighter. Optional extras included
air conditioning, power steering, and a rear window defogger.
Two models on offer, the Standard and Deluxe:
The Standard and Deluxe were the two models on the offer of Ford Cortina Mk I. The Standard
was powered by a 1.5-liter OHV inline-four engine that produced up to 60 horsepower. Initially, it
was offered in a two-door version that was then joined by four doors. The oversquare design
reduced piston distance per revolution for quicker RPMs and lighter engines.
In October 1962, the four-door Deluxe replaced the two-door Standard. The Standard had just a
painted grille and headlight garnish. Most Cortina consumers pick the Deluxe since it's just a few
dollars extra.

Ford released two-door and four-door Super Deluxes in January 1963. The Super Deluxe's
1500cc engine was also an option: recirculating ball steering, floor-mounted 4-speed gear shift,
live rear axle, and leaf springs.
Overall Performance:
The Cortina was very popular in Australia, with drivers finding it comfortable on long-distance trips
and around town. It performed well on sealed roads, with a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph) and
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) acceleration in 13 seconds. The four-speed manual gearbox was easy
to use, and the synchromesh worked well.

However, on unsealed roads, the Cortina could have fared better. The suspension wasn't up to
dealing with corrugations and potholes, and the tires could have offered more grip. The result was
a bumpy ride and poor handling.

The Cortina was also quite thirsty, fueling around 18 L/100 km (16 mpg). This was partly because
the engine had to work hard to move the car's giant body. Despite these shortcomings, the Cortina
was a popular car in Australia and remained in production until 1976.
The main competitors:
The main competitors for Ford Cortina Mk I were the Morris Oxford V Series III, Hillman Minx Mk
VII, Vauxhall Victor 101, and the Austin Lancer.

Ford Cortina Mk I Saloon:

The Cortina Mk I was introduced in 1962 and was available in various body styles, including a
saloon, estate, and van. The Mk, a range of four-cylinder engines, powered me:
● The 1200cc engine was available in the Standard and Deluxe models.
● The 1500cc engine was available in the Super, GT, and Lotus models.
● The 1600cc engine was available in the Mexico model.

The Cortina Mk I Saloon featured an independent front suspension with coil springs and leaf
springs at the rear. The brakes were discs at the front and drums at the end. The Cortina Mk I
Saloon was available with either 12-inch or 13-inch wheels. In addition, the Mk I Cortina Saloon
was available with a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission.

The Cortina Mark 1 Saloon was a low-cost race car that was competitive from 1962 until 1966.
Circular indicators for the 'pre-airflow' Mk 1, Consul Cortina, were outside the grille. In October
1963, this early Mk 1 model replaced the strip speedometer with circular gauges.

In October 1964, the 'airflow' model was ultimately renamed 'Cortina,' removing the 'Consul' suffix.
Ventilation also increased traffic (eyeball vents in another new dash and vents in the outer rear
pillars).
The Mk I Saloom was available with 46 horsepower (1200 cc) Standard or Deluxe, 60 horsepower
(1500 cc) Super, and 78 horsepower (1500 cc GT) engines. One of Lotus's two-cam Cortinas has
105 horsepower. Two-door, white, and green Lotus Cortinas were the only options.

Cortinas, made in Australia, has various markings and interior decor. One of the following: 220
two-door sedans, 240 sedans, and 440 four-door (both with 60hp 1500). The four-door GT is
available (78hp 1500) 112 two-door race-ready Harry Firth built the first GT500s in 1965.

The Cortina Wagons:

The Cortina station wagon was introduced in 1963 and was available in both Standard and Deluxe
trim levels. The Cortina Woody Wagons were a special edition of the Cortina station wagon,
featuring wood paneling on the sides. Unfortunately, the Woody Wagons were only available in
1963 and 1964.

In May 1963, Ford added two new station wagons to the Cortina line-up. The lift-up tailgate and
four doors made loading and unloading easy and protected from the elements. The 1200cc three-
bearing engine and one- or two-tone styling of the deluxe model set it apart. There was also a
1500cc five-bearing engine added. Fake wood panels on the Super comprise DI-NOC, a
substance imported from the United States. Cortina "Woody" was equipped with a 5-bearing
engine.

The body-colored galvanized rear floor is protected against corrosion. A winch attached to the
wheel brace was used to drop the spare wheel, which was kept under the bed in a cradle. There
are 31 inches between the rear of the loading dock and the roof.

The deluxe model includes separate front seats and a floor gear shifter. The Super was rated at
82 mph, 32 mpg, and 0-60 in 20.5 seconds with an engine of 1500cc and 64 horsepower SAE—
the Super’s column shift and bench seat. Buckets and a floor shift are optional extras.

Synchronized four-speed transmissions were available on both models. The pile carpets in Super
were replaced with PVC and molded rubber in Deluxe. The heater, cigarette lighter, windshield
washer, and vanity mirror for the passenger visor were all standard equipment on the Super. The
back cushions are made of foam rubber—instruments with padding. The speedometer, odometer,
fuel gauge, main beam, temperature, oil pressure, and turn indicator lights were all in front of the
driver. Passengers were greeted with a glove box in front of them.

Various trim levels were available, including the base model, deluxe, and GT versions. Cortina’s
base model had a 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, while the exclusive and GT models had
greater power. Transmission options included a three-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
Innovative Ford:
In December 1963, Ford offered the Borg-Warner automatic gearbox an option on all 1500cc
vehicles, save the GT. Unfortunately, Ford had to rebuild the dashboard the next year to
accommodate flow-through ventilation. All variants holding the Standard now have a heater and
windshield washer system.

In 1965, the Standard model lost the term "Consul." The rest of the stock was available till
September 1966. By then, 1 million Cortinas had been built. 220 (1200 2-door), 240 (1500 2-
door), 440 (1500 4-door), and GT were Australian Cortinas—1965 Armstrong 500 homologation
GT 500s.
The Lotus Cortina:
In 1963, Colin Chapman and Ford put a Lotus-tuned Twin Cam engine into a Cortina shell to
create a unique performance vehicle that would be eligible to race in the day's highly competitive
touring car races. The first 50 cars were built in 1963 and were officially called the "Lotus Cortina
Mk1."

The cars instantly succeeded on the race track, winning many races and championships. The
Lotus Cortina also succeeded in rallying, with drivers such as Graham Hill and Jim Clark achieving
many victories. The Lotus Cortina Mk2 was introduced in 1966 and was based on the Mk1 car
but with several improvements, including a larger engine (1558cc), a revised suspension, and an
updated interior.
Mk I Cortina compares with its class:
The Mk I Cortina was up against some stiff competition in its day, but it managed to hold its thanks
to its impressive list of features and competitive price. In addition, the Mk I Cortina was available
with several convenience features not offered by its competitors, such as wind-up windows,
reclining front seats, and a heater.

The Cortina also had some performance-oriented features that set it apart from its competitors,
such as independent front suspension, disc brakes, and a Twin Cam engine in the Lotus model.
Overall, the Mk I Cortina was a well-rounded vehicle that offered something for everyone,
especially in Australia.
Buying a Ford Cortina Mk I:
When buying a Ford Cortina Mk I, it is essential to check for rust, especially in the wheel arches,
sills, and boots. It is also worth checking that the suspension has been adequately maintained,
as this can be expensive to replace. The engine should start quickly and run smoothly. The
gearbox should select gears without too much effort. The brakes should feel firm and not pull to
one side when applied. The interior trim and upholstery should be in good condition with no rips
or tears.
How much they are worth today:
The Mk I Cortina is a classic car becoming increasingly popular with collectors. An Mk I Cortina
in good condition can range from 3,500 to 4,000 AUD. The Ford Cortina Mk I was a smart car in
its day and remains a popular choice among classic car enthusiasts. Thanks to its impressive list
of features, competitive price, and timeless design, the Mk I Cortina is a classic car that will
continue to be appreciated.