1967 Ford Cortina Mark 1 GT 4-Door Sedan

Description

Ford’s Cortina was a mid-sized family car launched in 1963, designed to fill a gap between the smaller Anglia and executive Zephyr/Zodiac models.  With its lightweight shell and decent handling, Ford’s engineers soon realised the Cortina had genuine potential as a performance model and created the GT by adding a Cosworth-tuned 1.5-litre version of the Kent four-cylinder engine, upgrading the transmission, brakes and suspension and installing a rev-counter to the steering column and extra dials in the centre console.  The engine featured a downdraught twin-choke Weber carburettor and 9.0:1 compression ratio for a maximum output of 78 horsepower at 5200rpm and 97lb/ft of torque at 3600rpm, while the gearbox was an all-synchro four-speed box coupled with a stronger clutch.  Uprated springs and the same disc/drum brake set-up employed for the Lotus-Cortina ensured the GT handled and stopped as well as it went.  Introduced in April 1963, the Cortina GT was soon selling in huge numbers and few cars could match its 95mph top speed or willing acceleration at such an affordable price.  Updated in line with Mark 1 Cortina production, a new facia was adopted for 1964, followed by the new ‘Aeroflow’ ventilation system in 1965, along with radius-arms added to the rear suspension.  Cortina GTs were homologated by Ford for rallying and notched up numerous wins on the international stage in the mid-1960s while the potent Lotus version was developed for circuit racing, the legendary Jim Clark winning the 1964 British Saloon Car Championship and Sir John Whitmore the European Touring Car Championship the following year.  The Cortina GT enjoyed a similar level of success here in Australia, particular on the legendary Mount Panorama circuit, dominating the Armstrong 500 in 1963-1965.  Billed as “The world’s most winning car in motor sport” in local advertising, the Cortina GT remains one of the most collectible cars to wear the Blue Oval badge.