1970 Ford Cortina 1600E

Description

• Unsold at Auction March 2024
• Fern Green
• Matching numbers
• Restored 5 years ago
• Very good condition
• Lots of paperwork
• Choice of original Rostyle or current Minilite wheels

The Ford Cortina 1600E achieved the perfect balance of tradition, style and pace.

By the mid-Sixties, Ford UK had one aim – to be the best-selling cars in the UK. In the autumn of ’67 Ford launched its Executive class sports saloon, the 1600E for £982.

The 1600E had the chassis strengthening and lowered suspension from the Dagenham-built Lotus Cortina MkII, along with the Cortina GT’s ‘Kent’ engine. It was packed with additional equipment too.

History

Our vendor purchased this lovely example from its previous owner who had owned the car for 13 years during which time he restored it to it’s current condition (c5 years ago). Unfortunately he didn’t manage to put many miles on the car – only using it for his daughter’s wedding and a few run outs.  Obviously feeling that such a nice example was being wasted, he decided to sell it to our vendor.

The document pack, although not massive, does include a charming letter from the Chairman of the Ford Cortina 1600e owners club reviewing the originality of the vehicle along with:

• Current V5 showing matching numbers
• Old Style V5
• Declaration of historic status
• First registered 01-08-1970
• Handful of MOTs
• Handful of old tax discs
• Few invoices
• Original Owners Manual
• 2 sets of keys
• Currently showing 32,961 on the odometer

Outside

The Cortina second-generation was arguably one of the smartest cars of its day, the 1600E took it to another level with its matt black grille, tasteful chrome trim, auxiliary lamps and ‘Rostyle’ wheels.

As mentioned in the bullet points, our vendor has two sets of wheels which can both be seen in the images, the winning bidder will have the choice of the original Rostyles or the Minilites, just let us know prior to collection of the vehicle.

• Our vendor has shared that “The exterior had a complete, engine out, strip and repaint”
• The exterior finish is to a good standard, check the images
• All the brightwork is original but in good condition with some slight pitting here and there as expected.
• Fern Green paintwork
• £1500 Invoice shows the underside was previously undersealed with solid jacking points.

As mentioned previously, our vendor purchased the car from its previous long-term owner who spent a fortune having the engine out, full strip, repaint carried out. As you can see in the image gallery, we have included a couple of images of the car completely stripped and in progress.  With less than 1,000 miles added to the car since the work was carried out it still looks in fantastic condition.

Our vendor shared that there is a little dent on the bonnet where something must have been dropped on it, and also there is an area of sinkage on the lower offside front door.  Both do not detract from how lovely the car actually is.

Inside

• Impeccable interior in black vinyl
• Matching ribbed door cards in very good condition
• Walnut trimmed dashboard and door caps
• Those classic inset Smiths gauges
• The 2nd generation 1600E, like this one, came with sculptured rear seats
• New headlining
• Map pockets in foot wells

At the same time as the repaint the previous vendor had the interior retrimmed by Aldridge trimmers. The roof lining is great, the gauges were all refurbished with the wood left original due to its great condition.

As can be seen in the gallery the interior presents just as well as the exterior with our vendor sharing that everything works as it should.

Mechanicals

• 1600cc, inline four-cylinder Kent crossflow
• Twin-choke Weber 32 DFM carburettor
• 92bhp / 97lb ft of torque
• Four-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
• Independent MacPherson struts and coil springs with anti-roll bar at the font
• Live de Dion axle suspended via semi-elliptic leaf springs and trailing radius arms with telescopic hydraulic dampers at the rear
• Front disc brakes, rear drums
• Full stainless steel exhaust including downpipes

As with the rest of the car, our vendor confirmed the engine and gearbox were also refurbished 5 years ago. Again, very little mileage has been added to the car since so the 1.6 litre Kent engine still feels eager and crisp. With a sharp gearchange and road-holding that belies the Cortina’s humble underpinnings, the 1600E is testament to just how right a mass-produced car can be when all the elements are carefully considered.

We can also share that the brake lines were replaced and the brakes were all given the once over with any parts replaced where needed.

Lift the bonnet and you will see how well cared for this 1600E has been, it is just “right” in so many areas.  A really great example.

Summary

Simply put – this is a gorgeous looking car. Once ubiquitous, there are now very few 1600Es around today. They come in all sorts of condition. We can confidently say ones like this are not at all common.

Unlike most Fast Fords, the 1600Es have remained affordable. This one is reserved extremely sensibly. If this was your era, do not miss this opportunity.

Vehicle Location: Dunmow, Essex CM6 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Ford Cortina MkII 1600E? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

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