Ford Corsairs ....

[Mk2Jo]

Why is it that we don't see too many of them around??? Were they not that popular when they came out or is it just that they don't hold the same mass appeal that other OSF's have??

 

In fact .... I don't really know much about them so if anyone wants to give a brief history that would be great ..... and owners ... post up your pics

[bomber1]

on wheels day i saw a dark green one with a osf sunstrip leaving burgerking guildford but dont think ive seen it on here

[Wessie]

i've seen that one at a boxhill meet i think

[atomic punk]

I think that they are a bigger more upmarket version of the Mk1 Cortina (same roof skin, longer chassis, similar mechanicals)

 

Shame that you don't see very many now - they never had any motorsport exposure so they don't really have that following - they are hugely underrated, as they are just as tuneable as an early Cortina and uber cool to look at

[V8ian]

Never built a racing version as far as I am aware, and the old addage Win on Sunday, sell on Monday never happened, although I had a 2 door slammed on the floor on 6" steels, that was the nuts

I think they got bad press with the nail of a engine as well, the V4 essex, and was a dog to tune, bit like the classic with the 1340 pre X flow, and the everso strong hollow crank, that also never had a good reputation, But I would love a 2 door classic, just to be different.

[Vista]

I've alwasy liked them, I think this 2 door looks cool as beans!

 

[lotusless]

here you go

 

Ford Corsair 120E

Saloon (2 door, 4 seater), Saloon (4 door, 4 seater) 1963-1965 ,

 

Despite the disastrous sales of the Classic, Ford decided to launch another saloon model intended to plug the gap between the Cortina and Zephyr 4. The new model, called Corsair, used Cortina Super running gear and more adventurous styling than the Cortina to distinguish itself from the mainstream models.

 

The 1498cc engine developed 60bhp and came with a manual gearbox. Both two and four door saloon bodies were available and Crayford produced a limited number of two door convertibles. In 1965 a new V4 engine became standard in the Corsair and the original four cylinder engine was discontinued

production: 137734

Ford Corsair GT 120GT

Saloon (2 door, 4 seater), Saloon (4 door, 4 seater) 1963-1965 ,

 

Despite the disastrous sales of the Classic, Ford decided to launch another saloon model intended to plug the gap between the Cortina and Zephyr 4. The standard model, called Corsair, used Cortina Super running gear and featured more adventurous styling than the Cortina. A more sporting Corsair GT was also available which offered more power than the standard car.

 

The Corsair GT used a 1498cc Cortina GT engine developing 78bhp which gave a respectable 95mph top speed. Servo brakes were standard on the GT along with better instrumentation, sports seats, central armrest and extra "GT" badges

production: 21857

Ford Corsair V4

Saloon (4 door, 4 seater) 1965-1970 ,

 

The Corsair had been relatively successful for Ford and so it was decided to develop the range to include a new engine. The 1965 Corsair used a brand new V4 engine, a first for Ford and an unusual choice of engine layout. The V4 developed more power than the previous four cylinder Corsair (now 76.5bhp) but this was unfortunately overshadowed by the inherent design problems of the V4 layout.

 

The Corsair V4 looked virtually the same as the standard four cylinder car, however better disc brakes were fitted to handle the extra power. GT, 2000 and 2000E versions of the Corsair were added to the range and production continued until 1970.

production: 135000

Ford Corsair V4 2000

Saloon (4 door, 4 seater), Estate (4 door, 4 seater) 1967-1970

 

Ford introduced two new 2.0 litre versions of its Corsair in 1967, the 2000 and 2000E. A larger (1996cc) V4 engine powered both cars and improved the performance of the Corsair considerably. Like the Cortina 1600E the 2000E featured special trim, a vinyl roof, a wooden facia and extra "2000E" badges.

 

Sales for the Corsair were never as strong as the Cortina range but nether the less, Ford continued to sell both the 2000 and 2000E Corsair until 1970.

 

Ford Corsair V4 GT

Saloon (4 door, 4 seater), Estate (4 door, 4 seater) 1965-1967

 

Like the previous GT model the new Corsair GT used more comprehensive instruments and better trim to highlight its sporting aspirations. Power output for the GT was quoted as 88bhp, a useful 12bhp increase over the standard car but not as powerful as the 2.0 litre 2000E model that was to follow.

 

 

 

V4 Ford Corsair Data File

 

 

 

 

 

1700 V4 2000 V4 2000E/GT

Engine 4 cyl ohv 4 cyl ohv 4 cyl ohv

Capacity 1664cc 1996cc 1996cc

Bore 93.67 mm 93.67 mm 93.67 mm

Stroke 60.35 mm 72.42 mm 72.42 mm

Compression ratio 7.7 or 9.1:1 7.7 or 8.9:1 8.9:1

Max BHP (HC) 76.5 @ 4750 rpm 88 @ 4750 rpm 97 @ 5000

Max torque lbs/ft 94 @ 3000 rpm 116.5 @ 2750 rpm 113.5 @ 3k

Gearing 17.7 mph/1000 rpm 17.8 mph/1000 rpm

Tyres 5.60 x 13 or 165 x 13 radial

Kerb weight 2166 lb 2166 lb 2254 lb

Length 14 ft 9 in 14 ft 9 in

Width 5 ft 3.5 in 5 ft 3.5 in

 

Top speed 84mph 84mph 98mph

Average mpg 25 25 20

[Jelly]

My old man had one back in the day and absolutely loved it.

 

However the V4 engine is widely regarded as the worst engine uncle Henry ever built.

[escortmad79]

They ugly... although this one is appealing

[capriaddict]

Most probably ended up like this one near me. Its well rotten

 

[Mr.Sumo]

Most probably ended up like this one near me. Its well rotten

 

 

That don"t look too bad , reckon you could save that...unless the floors gone of course Personnally , i love them...had one myself bout 10 years ago , 1500 deluxe, " 808 HLL " was the reg . Sold it to a classic car garage in Kingston, Surrey....

[bortaf]

Sold this Crayford 4 months back

3.0 V6 as well

 

[over_head_cam]

I'd have one

[fordtina3]

i believe that i read in practical classics about 8 months ago, that someone did rally a corsair. i'd have to check

[sparkycapri]

i always wanted a corsair as soon as i could drive but could'nt find a half decent one at first so i brought a capri! (ah well not all bad!) tho as soon as i found one that was on the road i had to have it, but i still spent most of the winter/spring welding it up de trimming it and slamming it to the floor. got it ready for newquays' run to the sun 1995 it got more respect than all those bettles&campers that always flood the place, the 14" cobra slot mags helped tho. i kept blowing up the old V4 essex engines til i did the best thing and stuck a 30L V6 essex out of a capri in it, went like stink then just doesn't stop too well, need to fit remote servo out of a 2000E i broke. it's not going too well at the moment stuck in the barn with flat tyres, siezed brakes, broken manifold, siezed clutch & hole in radiator but i will sort it for next summer (i wish!) i will scan my photos and post some of it in its heyday, the only one in computer form is this one of it hiding behind a mk 5 tina

plus thers one of my other corsair that seems to be donating bits to lots of forum members! if anyone wants a very good rolling shell PM me.

its the one hiding behind the mk1 capri.

[sparkycapri]

they did a feature in classic ford a few years back on a race from cape town south africa to southampton in a corsair against i big liner may be the queen mary. plus ford used a corsair in an endurance trial round a race track.

[Nettles]

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of me getting in the way whilst my dad was working on his Corsair.

I Can’t remember how old I was then but I’ve always had a soft spot for the Corsair’s since. Might buy one for a project someday.

 

 

[over_head_cam]

 

http://www.ayup.co.uk/gods/gods2-0.html

 

http://www.donbarrow.co.uk/biog_70.jpg

[Kieran]

yesterday i saw a mint blue one parked in a school

 

looked standard