Registration – SDX 894

Chassis No. – Z87C/146013Y

M.O.T. – Exempt

Odometer – 126,000

Beautifully presented, this example of Ford’s first-generation Consul Cortina is a five-door estate version, and presented in tasteful grey bodywork with white side-stripe following the shoulder line. Powered by Ford’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder Kent engine, here it drives the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. With its wide grille, ‘Consul’ branding towards the leading edge of the bonnet, and wing-mirrors placed forward of the windscreen, ‘SDX 894’ retains many of its original features. Inside, the cabin is trimmed in blue, with upholstery, door cards, dash top, and steering wheel sharing the same shade. In Deluxe 1500 trim, the door tops and dashboard are body-coloured, while the front seats are a single bench, with a column-mounted shifter allowing for an additional passenger in the front.

‘SDX 894’ is offered with a very good history of ownership and has been cherished by fans of the MkI Cortina. In fact, it has previously been owned by the second member of the MkI Cortina Owners Club, and is currently in the hands of the Chairman. As such, it has been cherished, and the vendor describes the bodywork, paint, and interior as in ‘good’ condition, while the engine, transmission, and electrics are ‘average’ for this model. Described as ‘running well’, ‘SDX 894’ benefits from a new servo, disc brakes upgrade with copper brake pipes, a stainless steel exhaust, electronic ignition, and wax-oiled doors. Displaying an indicated 126,700 miles, this example of the Consul Cortina MkI has been carefully looked after, despite having gone once around the clock, and been recorded as a Category C write-off.

· Fine example of Ford’s first-generation Consul Cortina

· Long history of ownership

· Practical classic with front bench seat and estate rear

Ford introduced the Consul Cortina MkI in 1962, replacing the Consul, with a design from Roy Abbott Brown Jr – recently dispatched to Ford of Britain after his Edsel was not well received Stateside. His career in the UK certainly didn’t suffer the same fate. Available as a two- or four-door saloon, or five-door estate, the Consul Cortina was designed to be a best-seller from the off, and came with a choice of engines and transmissions. The Consul name, retained from the previous model and combined with the 1956 Winter Olympics-inspired ‘Cortina’ badge, was dropped in 1964, as Ford saw a comprehensive marketing campaign, including race and rally-success, keep the MkI in production until 1966.