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Ford Cortina – The car of our childhood

DAN@ADRIAN FLUX

By DAN@ADRIAN FLUX
in OLD SKOOL FORD CHAT

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DAN@ADRIAN FLUX Old Skool Regular

DAN@ADRIAN FLUX

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There once was a time when Cortinas were everywhere. Your dad had one, your uncle had one, your mate’s dad had one – you couldn’t turn a street corner without being met with the best-selling car of the 70s.

 

Five generations and 4.3million cars later, production finally ended in 1982 – but the British love affair with the Cortina still hasn’t gone away.

 

We’ve been exploring the history and cult status of the Cortina to find out just what has made it such an icon.

You can read our article over on the new Cult Classics website, along with articles about some of our other favourites from years gone by:

 


 

 

Did you or your family used to drive a Cortina? Do you still drive one today? Share your memories and pictures below!

 

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deltamal Old Skool Spammer

deltamal

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I had Cortinas in the 80's, my Dad had Cortinas, my Father in law bought a brand new one in 1976, I have it now used on a regular basis! my Son wants it when I'm done with it...

 

Powderham2014002_zpsee396cb0.jpg

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Vista Old Skool Keyboard Molester

Vista

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I grew up in the back of a succession of 3 mk3's a mk4 and finally a mk5 in about 81.

 

In the heatwave summer of 76, I vividly remember a day out to Chessington Zoo (they had animals back then). At the end of the day I leapt into the back of the one we had then (all three mk3's were poverty spec 1600L's) sticking my shorts clad legs down on black vinyl seats in the process, and it felt like I'd sat on molten lava!

 

A blanket was carried everywhere in the car that summer after that. This made the bends kind of fun in pre car seat and rear seat belt days (it's a wonder am of us survived really!) Sliding left and right across the back seat!

SmokeEm Old Skool Keyboard Molester

SmokeEm

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My Dad had a gorgeous mettalic dark blue 2.0 Ghia Auto in 1982. It was R Reg with a BVR and we felt like local royalty in it. It had chrome trims on the wheels, a velour interior and wooden dashboard like rich people had in their Jags. My Dad wrote it off within 6 months and it was sold to the local banger guy to strip it. My Dad was heartbroken and to this day, my Dad has never bought another 'Nice' car - he treats them all like crap and runs them into the ground with lack of care. (I let him buy my Merc estate earlier this year which was 'Mint' - Already has scratches, a dog chewed seat belt and he has even screwed a plastic liner into the load area for the dog - right through the trim & leather!)

 

I always fancied one so started with a bog std 2.0 Crusader last year and turned it into what you see in the picture. Fully poly bushed etc, with uprated ignition etc. Sold to Brad on here last year.

 

Tina.jpg

DT36 Old Skool Spammer

DT36

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Never owned a Cortina myself, but I did buy my Missus one when she was 17 to get back and fore work.  Chocolate brown it was and her Dad knicknamed it "The Flying Pooh".

 

I think that one had cloth rear seats in it, but looking back, we agreed they were very comfortable... :-P   She's due in from work now, so I'll see if she remembers it and giggles.

colr6 Old Skool Keyboard Molester

colr6

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Had 1600e when I was 17 PVN350G bought in met green loads of rot! All welded up 1700cc with a pair 40s r/r cam spaxes 185/70 Goodyear g800s tyres happy days. Then bought vauxhall Firenza 2300 sport coupe as a wright off used it had fun sold as it arrived written off.Back to a 1600e MKW 906G bought as a minter same again with the engine did thousands of miles in it pure pleasure.them were the days when £10 worth of fuel would last all week with the pedal screwed to the floor!

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tanstevo Old Skool Member

tanstevo

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Had an Anglia , Escort , MK1 Cortina and loved them all .    Brought a gold 1600e  after not having anything for years best car i have ever had and loads of fun to drive. Only trouble is i,m doing it again , already spending loads at Burton ,opened up my old Pitt and the dog cant understand why were not going out as much .    Old fords never go away ! Back to the Burton site now and time to  spend some more cash i will never get back.  

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Sultzi Old Skool Player

Sultzi

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My dad bought mk3 tina in -71, with powerfull 1300 kent and no luxury what so ever. It was taken off the road early 90's couple years after I was born. Dad passed away in -94 and the car sit in the corner of the garage all way to 2004 when I started to fix it. In 2012 i got it back on the road with very different kind of motor than it had. Broke that engine in 2013 and now im working with new engine, to get it back on the road again.

 

Here is one picture of the car in 2013 summer.

_medium.jpg

 

This is the car i intend to keep rest of my life, that for sure..

  • Like 3
DAN@ADRIAN FLUX Old Skool Regular

DAN@ADRIAN FLUX

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My dad bought mk3 tina in -71, with powerfull 1300 kent and no luxury what so ever. It was taken off the road early 90's couple years after I was born. Dad passed away in -94 and the car sit in the corner of the garage all way to 2004 when I started to fix it. In 2012 i got it back on the road with very different kind of motor than it had. Broke that engine in 2013 and now im working with new engine, to get it back on the road again.

 

Here is one picture of the car in 2013 summer.

_medium.jpg

 

This is the car i intend to keep rest of my life, that for sure..

 

 

What a fantastic story and an awesome looking car Sultzi! I really like that. Subtle with the roof rack & banded steelies but works so well. 

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