New member's SoCal Mk.1 Cortinas

[Benny]

Now that I've made the obligatory self-introduction.....I guess it's time to introduce my cars!

 

Edit: I'll post some pics of the cars once my 'newbie probation period' is up, and I am able to post pics 7 days from now.

 

My first Cortina, which I have owned for 11 years, started life as a pretty mundane, white '64 GT. After sitting behind a barn for several decades, and being preserved by the California sun, it was pulled out an given a "sex change operation" by a friend of mine.

 

He installed a 5 liter Ford V8, T-5 transmission, and narrowed 8" rear axle. Since acquiring the car, I've racked up well over 100,000 miles in it, and have slowly re-engineered most of the details of the conversion.

 

The engine puts out about 275 bhp on a bad day, and of course, has a torque band a mile wide. The suspension is very standard (apart from the 1" sway bar, and Leda struts) and the brakes are completely standard...... let me answer all the usual questions ahead of time

 

1. 0-60.....5.5 seconds. Top speed......the nose gets pretty light at anything over 130, which is still under 4,000 rpm in 5th!!

2. No, it's not the slightest bit nose-heavy, and it handles very well

3. Yes, it still stops really well

 

My seconds Cortina is a '65 GT, which at some point along the road, had a Datsun L18 engine and "dogleg" 5-speed installed by a previous owner. This car is currently undergoing a running restoration, and I'm a bit undecided as to which way I want to go with the mechanicals (i.e. leave as is, or do something a bit more radical)

[Vista]

Welcome to the site, good to see more trans atlantic members

 

I look forward to seeing pics of the car, but 275bhp and standard brakes? You must have balls the size of an elephant!

[orionmojo]

You must have balls the size of an elephant!

 

maybe so he can shuck them outta the car... anchor styleee

[Benny]

It'll lock all four wheels, and I've never experieinced any brake fade, so as far as street driving goes, I can't see that there are drastic improvements to be had.

 

Now, in a couple of months, me and 9 of my friends have rented out a local race track for a day......so we'll see how the brakes do there. After that, I may be looking for some uprated brakes after all these years.

[martymk1]

 

&

[Benny]

&

 

The forum has a rule that you can't post pics until you've been here 7 days. I tried to post pics last night, but it rejected them. If anyone know how to get that ban lifted early, I'll gladly post some pics.

[Mrs O/H/C]

look forward to the pics !!

[Benny]

Alright, here we go.......my 7 days are finally up so I can post some pics of my fleet!

 

First up is my V8 Cortina. I've owned this car for 11 years, and have put well over 100,000 miles on it. It goes like a bat out of hell, and even goes round corners well, too!

 

 

Next up is my Datsun-powered Mk.1 Cortina. I've owned this car for about 3 years, and the pictures show the progression from when I bought it, up through today. The pics of the car in bare metal do a good job of illustrating the beautifully rust-free cars we are often blessed with here in Southern California.

 

Next up is my '61 850 Mini, which I've built into a Cooper S replica....not quite done yet.

 

Next is my genuine '66 Austin Cooper S (1275). I've owned this car for just under a year, and is nexxt on the restoration list. Totally rust-free, with fabricated steel arches, the car was the find of a lifetime.

 

Then there's my '67 E-type.....I was fortunate enough to afford my dream car at 28 years old.

 

Last one....my totally original, rust-free '65 MGB. This car is a gem, but is unfortuantely for sale as I don't have the time, space, or money to maintain my ridiculous addiction. If anyone is looking for one of the most well-sorted B's on earth, I'm asking $8,750 for it. With the exchange rate as it is, that's a pretty cheap B in England!

[Mick The Cabbie]

Nice collection you got there M8. I'm especially likeing the Tinas & the Mini's Me thinks the Jap engined Tina needs to be 'Turbo Jap' engined!!

[Jeff HPE Motorsport]

Nice collection of motors mate,

Are these motors expensive to buy out there in the states...???

 

Welcome to the site Mate..

 

 

Jeff Harris..

[flyingbanana]

you have a nice selection of cars there m8 !!!!!!!

[geoffersmasher]

some gorgeous cars there boss

[Copey]

nice cars!!! that Jag looks amazing!!

[brettp]

v8 tina is the nuts nice to see a different choice of engine

[RS26oo]

That is an amazing collection. How on earth did you manage to get all those registerd in California and where did you find them ?

[bortaf]

Uber cool collection

datty powerd Mk1 nice to see something different

[pimtina]

Nice group of rides Benny! Looks like one of them came from Rancho Cortina? That's where mine is from also.

Looks like I may have to sell all my Zetec stuff and get me a small block!!

[Benny]

RS2600,

 

Every one of my cars was sold new in California...there's no trouble getting old cars registered here as long as they are old enough to be exempt from our emissions test (pre-1973, I believe).

 

The Datsun powered Cortina, MGB and E-type all came off e-bay. The others were all the usual type of thing (i.e. friends of friends, chance spottings, etc)

 

Pimtina,

 

Which car did you get from Simon? Please don't tell me it was the turqoise Mk.1 wagon......I kick myself on a daily basis for letting that one get away.

 

If you're ever out in Califrnia, let me know. I'll take you for a ride in my V8 car and you'll have that zetec on e-bay before you even know what happened. There's more cutting involved in the V8 swap, but I bet you anything it would be a cheaper swap overall, and if you looked at it on a $/hp basis there would be absolutely no comparison.

[martymk1]

very nice collection

[pimtina]

Benny,I got the 2-door, blue with gray primer spots. Not a straight panel on it but 99.9 rust free!! Search for pimtina's cortina here in readers rides.

[Benny]

Oh, I remember that car!! Glad it went to a good home.

 

When I went up to Simon's house to decide which one to buy, there was your car, a maroon 2-dr automatic, my Datsun-powered car, and a beautifully original little turqoise wagon with Lotus wheels that were on my short-list.

 

In the end, I picked the car I did for various reasons but it was a tough choice. My girlfriend fell in love with the wagon when she saw it.....she still hasn't forgiven me for passing it up for another 2-dr. I think it was also sold to the mid-west.

 

There was a period where I was going to buy both, but at the time, my ratio of running cars to non-running cars was awful, and that would have dug me a pretty deep hole!

[escysean]

Cool collection you got! Is there mk1 or mk2 Escorts sold here in USA?

 

I am going to San Jose, CA this xmas with my missus to visit her family who live there for 3-weeks!

 

I am hoping to spot few more British OSFs out there up north of California..... San Diego is quite a bit out of range for me!! LOL

 

Sean

[Benny]

Escorts were never sold here, although a handfull have been brought over. I've also heard rumors that they were sold in Mexico, so a few should have made their way over from there too.

 

If you see any Old Skool English Fords while you are here, I'll buy you a drink......I've never seen a single one randomly driving the steets in 27 years of living here.....they are that rare!

[ann_capri]

nice looking cars mate

[escysean]

Cheers Benny.... LOL