Aussie Oddballs: Ford Cortina 6! 4.1-litre, tested in 40+ degree heat

[@paulbennell3313]

Exactly what U.K. Cortinas were lacking, burbly straight six goodness.

[@dungareesareforfools]

I can't believe it took them until the mk4 to fit a V6.

[@paulbennell3313]

@@dungareesareforfools I know. The 2.3 V6 was only about as fast as the 2 litre 4 but it had a refinement about it much more fitting of the Ghia model. I'll never understand why they didn't bother sooner.

[@tonys1636]

The 1970's fuel crisis might have played a part, in short supply and doubled in price almost overnight. Ration books were produced but never actually issued, garages put limits on fill ups, if one had the patience to queue for hours.

[@paulbennell3313]

@@danielrussell446 Absolutely! I had a mk5 2.0GL and it could certainly shift.

[@paulbennell3313]

@@danielrussell446 Savage Engineering did conversions using that very engine on the mk2 and mk3 Cortina. Such cars that survive are worth silly money nowadays, of course.

[@leonvanderlinde5580]

I had exactly the same model , but a 1600 in South Africa. I fitted a Zephyr 3 liter V6 into it. It fitted perfectly with the correct suspension and diff. It was a rocket. A friend of mine who worked for the Fire department tested it and we got scared at 220 km/H. She could spin on pull away in 1st and second. This is what an over powered bullit looks like.

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

I went to Australia in 1976. We hired a yellow mk3. My parents had a mk3 at home so they were confident to drive off (in those days rental companies used to show you around the car) Ours was the small 3 litre six. At first they hated the car because of the heavy steering and all the controls being in different places however once we headed out of town the extra weight and strength of the car was appreciated. At the time the roads were so poor that they thought the UK Cortina would probably not have been up to the journey. The Australians really had to redesign cars from other markets just to make them usable in Australia.

[@martintaper7997]

3.3l was the smaller 6.

[@kevbateup9567]

The GM Torana of the same size had a 5 litre V8.

[@billpeters4019]

Many years ago when my father was teaching me to drive he would slap my hands if I turned the steering wheel while stationary. Still makes me twitch to watch...

[@gs425]

Now everyone has power steering they've forgotten just what forces and scrubbing are going on underneath...eew

[@evo5dave]

@@gs425 But also tyres are a million times better now.

[@Mancozeb100]

Yeah - the strain & wear on bushes and rack would be my main concern, not so much the tyres.

[@wordsmith52]

it's best not do that even now, especially with power steering or put it on full lock so as to burn the motor out...

[@millomweb]

@@wordsmith52 Have you burnt steering motors out ? ;) I don't think I've driven an electric - always been hydraulic and bomb-proof !

[@titanus49]

These were quite common here in Australia,right up to the last one made in the 80s. A lot of buyers preferred the six cylinder version, as compared to the four cylinder version. Petrol was relatively cheap,and the sixes were very relaxing and powerful enough to cover the vast distances with ease.

[@mikeparkes7922]

Sure were! 4, 6 or v8 option.

[@Expedient_Mensch]

@@mikeparkes7922 no v8 option in cortinas.

[@iamasmurf1122]

Yeah and petrol has become cheap again , and im lovin my V8 at the moment

[@mikeparkes7922]

@@Expedient_Mensch Factory, no. Selected dealers, yes.

[@mikeparkes7922]

@celtic barbarian Do you remember the times of getting a free VCR or holiday package when you bought a car (or before that) a free tv/radio combo installed? Well, 6 years before you were driving those Fords in 1979, selected dealers offered (non-factory) engine, accessory and a plethora of other options. It was very pricey, and some people with more money than sense (like me at the time) took them up on it.

[@PeteCswampy]

Wiper, heater blower box and motor, slam panel cut out to take engine and rad size,inner scuttle bulkhead different to take direct airflow from grill intake,standard issue pedal trims, steering boomerang deeper inlay, brake fluid test and warning lamp, possibly retrimmed tombstone seats / Aussie option GXL / XL trim finsh on seats, screen wash works via wipers. Early solid rear boot bulkhead, prob stuff I missed WOWOWO thanks Ian, and thanks for shout out.Hope you ok.Pete,

[@townleyd]

Pete you have a great eye mate. The car is XL, retrimmed in parchment vinyl- correct colour for the year.

[@PeteCswampy]

@@townleyd great car just wow

[@deancary6676]

Great description of the details Pete. Yeah I noticed all that stuff too and I'm not even openly a Mk 3 fan. I do rather like them though....

[@jrbaeronz9840]

Different front guards, (higher profile to fit the 6, plus the bonnet bulge) dual boxed chassis (box inside a box), bigger diff, Falcon steering column, heavier front end but chewed bushes etc a lot. Friends in Sydney had a new dark metallic green MK3 wagon with the Ford 3 speed manual which was quite quick (about the same as a 289 mustang we gave a fright to up to 50mph) Mate had the MK 4 version here in NZ, had a lot of front end problems as well with that. Also the cops on Norfolk island (late 70s) had the MK 4 which had the same problem. Otherwise quite a cool car, very smooth on the motorway, just a bit front heavy, and could have done with a better front end.

[@antonmealy168]

Nice XL, XLE had garish cloth seat inserts, vinyl roof & body colour hubcaps. Frt subframe was also heavier gauge steel but still prone to cracking under the added weight; hence TD facelift suspension raised 2" & frt rails revised to heavier gauge. Mk4 TE facelift then eliminated frt subframe & mounted upr arms atop heavier rails for more suspension travel unlike international Cortinas.

[@bryjan51]

After all these years the Cortina 3 still looks so right. Thanks for this Ian.

[@johnd8892]

No one seems to have mentioned the most common widespread, simple and quick Australian conversion of a hot vinyl seat to cloth seats. Put a beach towel over the seats. So simple a seven year old often did it in seconds, back in the day. A forgotten skill? Also useful covering the dashboard even today when needing to park in the hot sun. As Douglas Adams worked out later : A towel, [The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy] says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.

[@KG84C]

Well remembered, we had a Holden HK Kingswood wagon and HJ sedan growing up as kids, basic, but rugged and one never forgets a red six sound.

[@ThePaulv12]

You never know when you're gonna need a towel.

[@richardw64]

That's what I told my kids. I still keep telling them.

[@peterwilding1203]

Yep, kept one in the car all year round.

[@paulbennell3313]

"A dude has to know where his towel is at."

[@dxbmick]

Transit came with the same motor in Oz. My Old Man's business had a LWB high roof duelly. With the doors slid open both sides, it was a lot of fun in summer!

[@geneva760]

Have a nice day all. Stay safe - SMILE. CHEERS from AUSTRALIA.

[@MrGoblin60]

I first visited Britain in 1984 and when asked "Wot sort of mota 'av you got in Orstraylya then" I'd reply that I had a Granada with a 4.1 litre engine in it (they didn't know what a Falcon was). They were incredulous at the engine size since most Granadas had much smaller engines in them. It was possible to drop a 302 or even a 351 into these Cortinas so I can't imagine how that idea would have been considered in England back then.

[@alexwild4350]

"Lets jump in the back..." How many young girls would have heard that line in a Cortina Mk3 ?? ;)

[@gs425]

Nice wipe clean squeaky bum seats too 👍

[@gosportjamie]

Probably far too many. And there are probably quite a few people watching this video who are the result of that line... Personally, I don't know about any of that, but I did get a finger broken as a child by getting it shut in the back door of a mk3...

[@hamishfullerton7309]

Not many 😜🙄🤔😂😉

[@TheExStig]

Not any of my girls, the front seat reclined beautifully. Wow...typing this just brought back some stunning memories.

[@RolandElliottFirstG]

so very true, mine had white interior, well used back seat . but it was easy to clean

[@daijones101]

Your next Aussie big six in a medium sized car should be the Chrysler Centura with a 245 hemi, 185 bhp in standard tune.

[@TheFlyingBusman]

Love the colour. Looks a nice resto. Gene Hunt would love one of these. What’s not to like about a straight six in a coke bottle!

[@MattBrownbill]

Is that Cadiz Orange?

[@townleyd]

Matt, the colour is Burnt Orange

[@mikeparkes7922]

The shoehorned V8 version was even better!

[@mattw8332]

I love the mark 3 Cortina. I think they look their best in 2000E spec.

[@porscha901]

A friend had a white one with Black vinel Roof

[@johnmorris3584]

4000E!

[@MGBetts1]

I think the GXL or GT pre-facelift was the best looks-wise.

[@secretsquirrel6124]

@@porscha901 except when the roof fell off due to rust

[@geddy1972]

my dad had an L reg Cortina 2 door 1.6 GXL pre face lift. it had the optional GT OHC engine in it. it was tawny brown with a black vinyl roof and full length webasto sunroof.

[@d2factotum]

I think the Mk 3 was unquestionably the prettiest Cortina--it looked purposeful and somewhat sporty, even if the handling didn't match the looks.

[@dungareesareforfools]

The two door models look just like a muscle car - a pity then that the biggest engine we got in Europe was the 2.0 Pinto.

[@wordsmith52]

yes, many had to suffer the 1300 engine...

[@d2factotum]

@@wordsmith52 I've driven a car with a normally aspirated 900cc engine (Seat Ibiza), which was plenty slow enough for me! (Think it did 0-60 in about 24 seconds and had a top whack of 80mph).

[@wordsmith52]

@@d2factotum yep embarrassing, and wait til you are on a motorway, going up a steep hill, and trucks start overtaking! The Mark 1 Cortina had an 1100 engine as the base spec, and I thank god I had the 1500 motor. But when the M3 appeared in 1970, it looked such a large car that the 1300 badge on it seemed so silly. 2000E post 1973 was much better.

[@grahamw56]

@@wordsmith52 No, MK1 Cortina came in 1200 and 1500...not 1100.

[@revelairfanman6171]

Had a 4.1 six mark 3 with a 4 speed - quick combo in its’ day!

[@andrewthornton8843]

Fabulous colour, even better in the Aussie sunshine. From the moment you started the engine at the beginning I knew it would be very special, and it is. Well done for driving another Aussie special Ian.

[@superbracey]

Video posted 14 seconds ago, 6 likes already. Ian's getting it very right.

[@simonredfern2584]

Always my fave shape of cortina, with all that grunt and such a lovely colour this is surely a tempting beast. Top work mr hubnut!

[@graemew7001]

The mark 3 Cortina is a thing of beauty and with that soundtrack from the engine and gearbox makes it sound all the better.

[@paulwlynch]

Wow what a sound.. If only all Cortina cars sounded like that..

[@charliecroker7005]

Euro 2.3 V6 sound better. For connoisseurs of noise, the 2.3 sounds nicer than the 2.8. IMO.

[@dungareesareforfools]

The best sounding Cortina I ever heard was the first mk2 Savage 3000E that I saw - and the only one I've seen on the road! I genuinely thought it was a V8 coming down the road and couldn't believe my eyes when it was my dream Cortina.

[@VauxhallViva1975]

Yes, it has a lovely exhaust sound, and I am not even a Cortina fan really. That first-gear whine on the auto is surprisingly loud. Is that normal for them, or is that auto in trouble?

[@triggeredleftyvegan6004]

@@VauxhallViva1975 More sounds like the oil pump. They make that noise usually whilst driving when planetary gears are worn. All the Fords in Australia with worn BTR autos sound like taxis including mine!

[@janhanchenmichelsen2627]

Love, love that colour! The Cortina/Taunus ranges were simple, rugged cars. Very easy to work on, cheap to buy s/h when I was young (still, I preferred Opels). Then they all disappeared. Now they are proper collector's items. Thank you for the nice video, Ian. We all need some orange relief these very sombre days. Stay safe!

[@benjaminmarriott1746]

240lb ft! What a beast of a sporty corty, a beautiful resto, deliciously clean underneath, tasty louvre bonus and a godly exhaust note.

[@jasonsanders3397]

Not so much 240lb ft, but the fact it was made @ 1600 rpm

[@PeterEmery]

The Mk4 Cortina that followed (TE in Oz) had the articulated driver's side windscreen wiper from the Falcon range. The wiper blade swept parallel to the windscreen pillar.

[@madazjack2394]

Don't forget the Cosworth mk one very fast

[@robertngreen6]

Oh memories of my Dad's various new Mk3 Cortinas back in the day! Sadly without the huge 6 cyl engines but one was a 2.0GT! This is quite epic and gloriously restored. Can't comment on the driving comparison with the Marina, but have to say the Mk3 Cortina is more stylish in my opinion. Thanks for melting on our behalf to bring us this video!

[@HubNut]

Oh yes. Cortina is a proper looker in a way the Marina never was. I preferred the Marina to drive though...

[@KG84C]

Britain - we'll put a huge 2.0 liter four in it, Australia "Hold my beer".

[@KG84C]

@Uncle Joe Agreed, but Aussies were more into unpolished straight line get up n go, rather than the European sophistication of handling.

[@KG84C]

@Victor Murat Probably a good fit, but the 250 cubic inch straight six was a pretty big lump of iron. That said, Windsor V8 conversions are common in Australia, even Cleveland conversions if your up for it.

[@marvinmartinsYT]

Uncle Joe Australia bro. What are corners. Our longest stretch of straight road is 90km but part of 1600+ km road. Who needs corners? Lol

[@marvinmartinsYT]

Victor Murat We didn’t get a V6 cortina. But we did build some V6 Capri. Wicked fast.

[@marvinmartinsYT]

Victor Murat Oops.

[@deancary6676]

Ian, Thank you again for triggering another memory of my early driving career. Back in 1979 I was an 18 year old learning to drive in my first car, aided by a retired neighbour. His son in law had just returned from Australia with his 1977 Cortina 6 GL. It was the Mk 4 body with the same 4.1 litre six and Borgy auto combo as the feature car. It was fitted with power steering though. It had the heavier Australian spec bumpers (and a front roo bar) and it was cream with a beige vinyl top. I had a breakdown in my Viva HC at work one rainy night, and my driving teacher came in this Cortina to get me home. He let me drive it. It was one of the most throttle responsive cars I've ever driven (it certainly taught me lessons in how to control the throttle!). It had the accelerative urgency of a horse from standstill. I loved the smoothness of it. I don't remember the whingey auto box though...

[@davebuts1921]

Dear Mr. HubNut, you can never have "far to much engine". Great car.

[@skipintroux4444]

But one could have “far TOO much engine”.

[@davebuts1921]

@@skipintroux4444 Only if you don't know how to use it my friend.

[@skipintroux4444]

davebuts my apologies for confusion the comment was specifically directed at the misspelling of “too”, I otherwise agree with you.

[@davebuts1921]

@@skipintroux4444 Lol no problem buddy.

[@curiouskid30]

You can have too much engine when the chassis was not designed to have that much weight that far forward on the axles. While they were a beautiful car and had respectable straight line performance for their era and pedigree, they were notorious for having the cornering characteristics of a bowling ball.

[@PeteCswampy]

MMMMMMMMMMMM A Big Six Ian, listen to that..........its deee loverlyyyyyy

[@bignorbert1136]

I had one of these. It was brilliant and blew the nuts of the 4cyl model. Ok, it wanted to go straight at every corner and was agricultural compared to todays offerings, but the torque! Hills did not exist. Loved it. Would have one again. Very fair review. Mine had an add on air con unit that just about worked.

[@angelikahiggs4628]

Had a 1976 corona mk2 sedan that did the same. Plenty of get up and go, but protested against every bend in the road. Then I bought the hardtop version because I'm an idiot.

[@Russ.M]

Love the silent handbrake application. A small thing I know, but....

[@Dan_druft]

This really takes me back when I was out in Australia back in 1984, my then ozzy girlfriend had one of these and I remember blasting ZZ Top I Need You Tonight out of the cassette player while driving out to a place called Mildura where I managed to get stabbed by one of the locals lol.

[@bryndal36]

I lived for 15 years in Mildura but thankfully never got stabbed. Pretty rough place though. Glad I moved away.

[@ChrisSmith-bw1nt]

That's a golden memory lol.

[@angelikahiggs4628]

Getting stabbed is just how the locals say 'welcome to our town.'

[@Dan_druft]

@@angelikahiggs4628 I couldn't believe it, I only went there to pick grapes and we went to this nightclub on the border to all the other states so it was allowed to stay open late. Can't remember it's name, can you?

[@AAHKLEE]

That's a remarkably straight example. I'm thinking you had WAAAY too much fun on your trip to Aussie and N Zed. As a Kiwi who has lived in California for 40 years you taught me about New Zealand museums that I never new existed. Going to check them out on my nest NZ visit. Thank you Hubnut.

[@simonf8902]

This is one of the best straight sixes ever made. It lasted as the Barra 6 till 2015.

[@flightlevelfouronezero147]

well it became a cross flow in the XC Falcon of 1977 which was quite a change.

[@martintaper7997]

It was highly changed in the end. They are hard to kill.

[@martintaper7997]

@@flightlevelfouronezero147 It changed far more than that later.

[@vernonmatthews181]

So great the TC ( aussie mk3 ) Cortina has been preserved for this occasion. A few did make their way across the Tasman to New Zealand 🇳🇿 along with the sibling known as the Transit that also benefitted from the 6 cylinder 250ci Falcon engine. Love the ride, thanks 😊 🙏 ❤ Regards Vernon. 🍹👍👌🌎🗽

[@vernonmatthews181]

A smaller sibling was the 200ci ( 3300cc ) also a inline 6. I know I have said it many times before, the TC ( mk3 ), the TE ( mk4 ), the TF ( mk5 ), the Transit van also the Ford Falcon offerings. However, the mark 2 Cortina was only offered a six cylinder through South Africa 🇿🇦 known as the "Perana". Thanks for the TC test drive 🚗 👍 ❤

[@vernonmatthews181]

Time for a correction to what I said earlier. The Cortina 6 cylinder in South Africa 🇿🇦 was known as the "Savage", it was the Ford Capri ( V8 cylinder ) in South Africa 🇿🇦 known as the "Perana". The Cortina ( 6 cylinder ) in the UK 🇬🇧 was known as the "Big-Six", also seen in NZ along with aussie 6 cylinder cortina's along with Pinto Cortina's from UK & Australia 🇦🇺. Whilst speaking of South Africa 🇿🇦, they also produced a Vauxhall Viva ( Firenza ) factory fit with a V8, only known locally as the "Chevrolet Firenza " ( Can-Am ). The engine was sourced from the American Camaro V8 and its manual box from the American Muncie range. Hope that helps from the offerings out in the colonies of South Africa 🇿🇦, Australia 🇦🇺 and New Zealand 🇳🇿 😀 👍 ❤

[@andrewrobinson5837]

You get brownie points for driving a car with vinyl seats, and no air con, in 40+ degree heat. Love it.

[@townleyd]

Andrew, I agree. I would not have thought any less if Ian said not today.....it was very hot, around 46. It took a good hour under the A/C inside before a cup of tea!

[@richlawrence4160]

And incredibly, they are selling vinyl seats again with "fake leather'.

[@65283impala]

Thank you so much for yet another entertaining and refreshing video. Cheers from Canada.

[@martiniv8924]

Cool Tina! Love the colour 👌🏻

[@club1fan552]

Be grateful you weren't in Penrith in Western Sydney on January 4. 48.9c. That number plate may just be original if it came with the car as it is from 1973/74.

[@HubNut]

46 on the day if this test it turned out!

[@club1fan552]

@@HubNut That's a shocker! When owners were surveyed after 15,000 kms of ownership by the National Roads and Motorists Association (NRMA) these models didn't score very well. Only 20% found the car satisfactory when delivered. With the 4 cylinder, it was 5%. 66% would have bought another one given similar circumstances which is low compared to other models. It scored well, and highest with performance with 92% of respondents scoring it as "good" or "excellent". With the 4 cylinder it still scored well with 80%. Japanese cars scored highest with owners over all.

[@0161pumaste]

what a beast, and a bit nippier than my mates dad had in the 80's, a 1.3l ohv!

[@davehamlyn3097]

In South Africa we had these Cortinas in the 2.5 and 3.0litre V6 Essex engines, known as the Cortina Big Six. These cars went very well.

[@grenvillephillips6998]

I never thought the Mk3 Cortina quite delivered what the looks promised, but the full-fat version definitely does.

[@simonhjc]

Geez this brings back memories! A mate had one with a 3 speed manual, and we use to “race” other mates who had Chrysler Centuras with the big 6 motor. You couldnt kill them. After all these years ive had a flashback to exactly the road, evening where we were being stupid.! Thanks Ian

[@stephenhadley2490]

These cars came with a 200 cubic inch six as well. The 250 was the most popular option. The 4 cylinder was a 2 litre.

[@90vanman]

Mustang I owned started with a 200 inch sixpot, finished with a 302ci just before I sold it. Would have been MUCH cheaper to have bought a 289ci v8 to start with. Cost of transmission, brakes, and everything else was enormous. 200ci lump was great, but a bit gutless in a Mustang, but matched the original drum brakes

[@stephenmiller7388]

Had a centura with abrelatively warm 265 with a 4speed manual went extremely well

[@RexWaldron]

I had a 1973 mark 3 Cortina back in the mid 70s so this brought back happy memories. The Cortina in this guise rather reminds me of a mark 2 Vauxhall Ventora 3.3 litre that I owned in 1979. Six cylinder goodness!

[@BrorAppelsin]

That body style is my all time favourite. Always wanted to own one when I was little. Sadly nearly all have rusted away by now and the good ones are out of my price range.

[@philnewstead5388]

Bror Appelsin Also in the U.K. Many of them got used for banger racing along with many other now classics.

[@johncaldwell-wq1hp]

MY BROTHER HAD ONE OF THESE 6 CYLINDER JOBS,-HERE IN SYDNEY,-AS HIS "FIRST-CAR"--IT BLEW THE DOORS OF EVERYTHING !! --HE ENDED UP ROLLING IT 7 TIMES !!--NO SEAT-BELTS,-AND "STUMBLED AWAY OK"--MY DAD HIT THE BLOODY-ROOF !!

[@rexjaru]

My favourite shape of Cortina.

[@rexjaru]

My grand parents had a bog standard 4cyl automatic Cortina - metallic green with a white vinyl roof.

[@volvor730]

Other English vehicles that got a 6 cyl transplant in Australia where the CF Bedford with the Holden 173 and 202 cu.in motors [ the 4 cyl version was not available here ] and the Transit with 3.3 and 4.1 litre engines. If you look at all the imported cars in Oz over the years , they usually come with the largest engines available.

[@anthonycanham8782]

My falcon had the same 3speed auto they sound like that when they get a few ks on nothing to worry about.

[@Cortinaman63]

YES A Mk.3 Cortina, (Thanks!!!) when you visited the Classic scrap yard I saw only a quick shot,of them, the Museum, only a quick shot of the two there, , I was starting to think, he is not a fan of 70's Fords, and then we get this, LOVED IT, and hope mine will look as nice once back from the Paint Shop.

[@RichieRouge206]

Those Bathburst alloys look almost identical to Triumph Stag alloys! What a stunning car and great resto too! I adore the colour too - it made my day seeing this. I wish it was hot here at the moment! Great video Ian

[@basaltplainscreationsaustr1194]

The Bathurst alloy design first featured on the XY Falcon. 1971 I believe.

[@aussiebloke609]

'72, I believe. The original Phase III came with steel 10-slot rims. The story I've heard was that the Globes were designed for the XA Phase IV, but when that model was cancelled, Ford gave away 200 sets of Globes to Phase III owners so they could claim them to be factory original. This bit of tomfoolery got them homologated and let the XY race an additional year with the new rims to help with their brake overheating issues, while the factory scrambled a bit to sort out the XA.

[@jasonsanders3397]

@@aussiebloke609 12 slotters weren't they....?

[@aussiebloke609]

@@jasonsanders3397 Ooh, I wish my fingers would do as they are told. You are correct, 12 is what I meant _at the time_ - although now that I'm racking my memory, it seems the 5-slot was also rather common to be seen on the GTs, so now I"m unsure. Either way, the point is it was steel rims from the factory, with the alloys being offered for free to HO owners so they could be used for racing. And as a side note, the story I've heard was those Globe wheels were the reason the XA Phase IV never came with rear discs, as it was decided the added cooling from a more open wheel design was sufficient to reduce fade from the rear drums. And then changed their minds for the XB . Go figure. :-P

[@jasonsanders3397]

@@aussiebloke609 No that's fair enough mate, no one can be blamed for a keyboard typo! And I think you're right about a 5 slot sort of jellybean wheel for those HO's. I guess Ford were casting around a bit trying to find wheels strong enough that wouldn't break (like in 1969 or 70 at Bathurst?) but had enough voids in them to allow enough air in to cool those horrendously overworked brakes..

[@charris939]

Those pre crossflow engines were great. Went nicely in my 1968 XT Falcon.

[@aswarmofdeadinsects]

The gearbox noises are endlessly amusing. A mix between straight-cut crashbox and a disgruntled dog that wants to play.

[@triggeredleftyvegan6004]

@DropDstar All BTR autos are!

[@colinjones2505]

What an absolutely stunning looking automobile.

[@gs425]

Omg the sound of that wiper motor took me right back to sliding around (!!!) In the back as a nipper. (I will add it was in a 1.3 L decor. Remember those? Sahara beige with brown vinyl roof. A lovely combo but as kids it got nicknamed the banana car. Dad was a sales rep. His builder mate at the time had a gorgeous sunbeam rapier fastback, also I think had a vinyl roof.

[@superjosh3864]

My dad had a sahara beige mk1 granada ghia with a brown vinyl roof back in the day :)

[@gs425]

@@superjosh3864 they looked amazing in that scheme. Especially the really swish coupe version

[@Cortinaman63]

gs425 An "L Decor"!!!!, Yes I remember them, (1974 Series Two, model range) came with Vinyl seats as standard, (fabric seat faces, or a vinyl roof, ) were part of the options packages. you paid extra for when you ordered the car brand new. Used to see quite a lot of them on the road in the UK, in 1.3 /1.6/ versions, but as with most of the Mk.3's, owners did not take care of them, and 7 years in when they started to rust, especially as most were on the second hand car market by then, they got cheap repairs and scrapped, or written off by uncaring insurance Firms sadly. Genuine ones are very rare now. (there are at least 3 cars with an "L Decor" badge that should be "L"'s) that I have seen, in the UK, I own 3 different models one Currently being restored on my channel to brand new, & the other 2 (both awaiting restoration work too) are in my videos if interested in having a look?, if you have not already seen them?.

[@gs425]

@@Cortinaman63 one of the special refinements the decor model had was a glove box light. How we were easily amazed back then . Also I possibly recall was the first time i saw the Ford thing I've had ever since which is instrument dimming.

[@Cortinaman63]

@@gs425 That is true, I recall loving all the extra lighting compared to what the Vauxhalll Victor interior had which my Dad owned before we bought the Cortina, it seemed so posh inside too.

[@dalewyatt1321]

I'm in Victoria, Australia and I had one. Mine was a wagon (estate) navy blue with mags and a 4 speed manual behind the 6. Went like a cut cat and I drove it hard. Main issue was the switchgear was made of crap and would fall to bits at no notice. Not really a Ford fan but I did like that car.

[@Shane_Marsh]

Lovely video Ian, love your style. This is what old cars should sound like, I'm not a fan of electrifying classics.

[@waynetetley584]

My thoughts too

[@karakafat]

What a beautiful restoration. Absolutely outstanding

[@PaulLemars01]

As an Essex lad of a certain age I am reminded of a verse from Billericay Dickie from Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Had a love affair with Nina In the back of my Cortina A seasoned up hyena Could not have been more obscener She took me to the cleaners And other misdemeanours But I got right up between her Rum and her Ribena As a lad (yob) of fifteen my first job was as a stockroom box shifter at the local Canvey Island Woolworths. The assistant manager came in one day with a brand new one of these. As far as I was concerned he was made. The stories/lies he told of the exploits in the back of his MkIII Cortina were the stuff of a young man's dreams.

[@notmanynamesleft]

Love it 😂👍

[@jerrytugable]

'You ask Joyce and Vicky, If candyfloss is sticky..'

[@PaulLemars01]

@@jerrytugable "I'm not a bleeding thickie, I'm Billericay Dickie, and I'm doin very well!' A lifetime ago. I saw Mr Dury at the Hammersmith Odeon and also in Nottingham. Bloody brilliant.

[@peakyparttimers9362]

My favourite car of all time! Thanks for this video Ian !

[@paulmckinder3082]

Dam I wish I was a millionaire so many cars I would love to own this being one of them and many many more most of which you have tested stay safe Mr hubnut and everyone

[@frazzleface753]

Me too. This car would absolutely be on my wish list!

[@adrianbryan5934]

Me three! But if you love so many different types of cars like i do, you need to be a multi multi millionare to buy and look after them cos if you are like me, you would be driving them and not have them locked away like ornaments.

[@philiplindley7384]

Have always had a huge soft spot for a MKIII Cortina (due to my early driving years) and so a 4.1 sounds delicious!

[@vwestlife]

I believe that's actually a Borg Whiner transmission, not Borg Warner. :-)

[@hoilst]

Borg Whinger, 'cause a pom's driving it. :P

[@johncoops6897]

That BW transmission in this car is totally stuffed. They certainly didn't restore that part of the car LOL

[@waynetetley584]

That was just awesome. Thank you. I love the early mk3 interior design. My dad had a 72 mk3 2.0 litre L model in diamond white. He wasn't keen on a 1.3 ohv Kent! It was quick in its day. But a Falcon engine even better 😀

[@KI-of9vo]

A great review as always HubNut, shame about the triangle of doom 😂

[@alpcns]

I remember these cars well as Ford Taunus - love this model. And with gobs of this 6-cylinder goodness its delicious.

[@JohnRolyAU]

Do you now have an appreciation for an "Australian Summer?"

[@rayg9069]

40 Deg, that was just mid morning before it gets hot ;-)

[@mikeparkes7922]

@@rayg9069 Lol!

[@TheV8nutter]

Just watched this yet again Ian. It was these reviews, especially, the Austin 3 litre, That got me hooked !

[@robinforrest7680]

Good thing the bad guys in "the Sweeney " didn't have access to these...

[@marvinmartinsYT]

Robin Forrest The real bad guys did here though lol. For real.

[@batmanlives6456]

Brings back great memories My Grandmother had a purple one great car and bloody quick! Gran used to love lighting up the rear tyres too Cool granny! Great memories

[@BarryAllenMagic]

If they reintroduced this beautiful design (exterior and interior) I'd be really tempted to buy a Ford. Otherwise, I'd rather walk.

[@ivarwb4115]

Good one :-)

[@tuitfifty6123]

I was lucky enough to have one of these for a few years in the 80's. Chocolate brown with bronze and brown leather upholstery. Loved the sound of that 4 litre 6 pulling away from lights or chewing up the miles on the open road. Beautiful car. Wish I still had it!

[@shanehnorman]

I rented one of these for a road trip when I visited Australia in '76. I've forgotten whether it was auto or manual - the former, most likely - but the bicep-building understeer was unforgettable. I suspect the headers on the one in the video are non-original but probably add a useful bit of power. Looks terrific in that colour and with those handsome wheels (but with hubs with only four studs, not five?).

[@farmerbrown84]

Yeah, I also put headers on mine, they aren't original.

[@stuartjones8238]

When I was 10, my father had a 1972 Mk3 Cortina 1600 XL had the silver panel between the rear light clusters! Was also 3 speed Auto; the sight of the T-Shift brought back many a childhood memory! As it was an automatic it was the 1.6 Kent engine not the Pinto! Also the 3-pot dash was exactly the same with a Clock, Speedo and Fuel/Temp gauges; needed a GXL or GT for a rev counter. Thanks for the upload...very interesting to know about the subtle differences with the Aussie version!

[@ozmid40scouple]

I did my apprenticeship working on these cars.....they came n several engine transmission options....in later years a very popular Hot up " was to drop a Windsor V8 into these cars.....they really moved along then.

[@basaltplainscreationsaustr1194]

5 litres of fun.

[@Chazzz61]

Yes the Windsor 289 302 and 351 was a popular swap ! We did get a 351 Windsor And blower into one top loader 4 speed and 9inch cut down and a power steering rack out of something to fit ! Fairfield cops 👮‍♀️ would pull you up just for a look !

[@bogfinken]

Lovely Mk3 !! Thanks so much for this review, brings back memories. My dad had a Mk3 1600 estate when I got my drivers license, I drove it a lot back then. My sisters boyfriend drove an orange Mk3 1600 GT with double head lamps wich I found very cool at the time.. Its a shame we never had the 250 cui in Europe...

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

Ian it wasn't possible to buy a car in Australia..certainly a local car with cloth seats until the early eighties ,as you can imagine the sun played havoc with cloth seats..my locally assembled Renault 16TS had magnificent vinyl seats..but the Renault 15/17 cloth seats turned to shite right quickly.People in the know fitted tailored sheepskin covers to over come the burn the legs vinyl problem...LOL

[@mikeparkes7922]

Absolutely!

[@rossbrumby1957]

Cloth seats in the Valiant CL Regal were 20 years old and tip top condition when i stripped it (rusted out) and put them in my VF Regal. Chrysler buckets were the best in the business.

[@sg8539]

Mk3 was the best looking of the Cortina's by far. Brilliant restoration and condition on this one. Thanks Ian, great video review as usual.

[@tinplategeek1058]

Orange - the colour of the 70's.

[@MillerCorner]

EnjoyingUTube Too brown would like a word...

[@tinplategeek1058]

@@MillerCorner True but not in the same way. Brown has always been around us and still is today but orange was really brought to the front for cars/houses/clothes in the 70's. It is the colour which jumps out of any 70's scene. Looking around the room as I type this, there are probably 10 shades of brown in the furniture, flooring, doors etc. It is a staple of any age.

[@abyssmanur3965]

Lime green seat covers would match.

[@tonycox5625]

My dad bought one in 1972, Phoenix Orange, lovely looking cars. Ours was a 1600 XL, used to really enjoy driving it around.😊

[@CarlJones14]

Sounds electric at low speeds. 👍

[@NathanChisholm041]

Had one in the 90s here in oz with the straight six and it was a machine! Me and my mates hammered it...

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Top marks and for doing the test in such heat. At least you can say you've driven one now. Cheers.

[@robertbransby]

That's a thing of beauty, I can remember my dad having yellow estate version in the 70s 😍

[@julienbee3467]

I like yellow cars 😍

[@neilmustow368]

Lovely MK 3 Cortina Ian what an engine sounds awesome

[@mel20004]

i was so expecting a essex v6 ......... and what a lovely restoration , thanks Ian

[@GJ67]

I had a 1973 MK3 GT cortina with a 302 Windsor V8 in it. Shift kitted C4 box , shortened 9 inch diff. 225 /60 / 14’s on the front, 265/60/14’s on the back all under widened guards. God it went like a cat on speed .🔥💥😎

[@leyland9999]

Great video. Back in the days over here in Holland we had the Mk.3 Cortina AND the Taunus. Underneath basically the same cars, bodywork was different. The Mk.3 Cortina was the last model that carried that name on the continent, the Taunus took over and it outselled the Cortina. Then, in 1976, the Mk.4 Cortina came, and the Taunus equivalent, only the names were different apart from some very minor differences. I had three of them, never had any problems. Kind regards, Willem, Hekelingen, Holland.

[@shand1967]

In the mid '70's my dad was choosing to buy either a K reg MKIII Cortina 2.0 GXL or a K reg Peugeot 504 2.0 GL. I remember how old fashioned the Cortina felt against the Pug, and obviously he agreed as he bought the 504.

[@jeffreynolds3848]

Wow! 10 seconds in and we’ve got the greatest sound...!

[@TheStwat]

My dad had a purple 2000E in the 70's. Marvellous.

[@CTX-wh5qu]

Sorry Ian, gotta say it, but who else watching this was taken back to 1980 and their desire to get hold of one of these MK 3's , paint it red with the white stripe......Zeebra three, Zeebra three !. Love it !

[@mrpalm54]

Beautiful restoration job by the owner. Well done that man.

[@terencehawkes3933]

Beautiful restoration and fabulous paintwork!

[@joedarkness808]

I had a cortina same body type for my first car however it was a 1.3L it's was totally gutless ..this one looks great

[@terryatkinson899]

Dad had a yellow 1.3 one, aswell as gutless it was knackered also had a 4 speed box and seemed massive to me as a kid.

[@mark1966]

Great video, as always, The English Pennliner is loving this now we are grounded, stay safe

[@arunta5]

In 1973 bought a 6cyl XLE (top spec) in copper bronze with a vinyl roof. Beautifully styled car with tons of power had the Falcon motor. In the end rust was a big problem so traded it in 1980.

[@Bevoin1970]

I just love the look, colour, shape and sound of that car. Thats just one cool looking motor! :-)