1971 Ford Cortina 1600 GXL

Description

• UNSOLD at auction July 2023
• Registered new in 1971 
• Four former owners 
• Amazing time warp condition throughout 
• Odometer showing 33k miles 
• Extremely rare 1.6l factory fitted Pinto Engine 
• Part of a private collection 

Although there was a tonne of both, the 1970s were more than just disco music and dodgy fashion. In Britain, it was a time of celebration, discovery, rebellion and change. For everyone it was a decade of contrasts. 

Prime Minister, Ted Heath, took us in to the European Community. Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Silver Jubilee. Punk Rock arrived. So did Mrs Thatcher. 

Into that melting pot, Ford launched its successor to the Cortina Mk2: the curvaceous Mk3. 

The Mk3 Ford Cortina GXL had its debut in 1970. It was a radical departure from the ‘square-box’ lines of its ancestors and heavily inspired by the contemporary ‘Coke bottle’ design language at the time. The first joint-venture of Ford of Europe after the merging of the Blue Oval’s UK and German divisions, the car marked the blending of German Taunus and British Cortina platforms. 

This wonderful Ford Cortina 1600 GXL was registered new on the 1st of November 1971. Currently part of the Moran collection and coming to market as that said collection is now to be reduced.  

Unfortunately, there is not a great deal of paperwork other than the V5 in our vendors name, a printout of the MOT history and some magazines and copies of Classic Car Weekly – the car is featured in one. 

What we do know is that there have only been four, you read that right, only four, previous owners since it left the factory and looking around the car it definitely shows. The car looks to be extremely original and in time warp condition. 

Exterior 

Where to start? Well, it is probably prudent to elaborate on the originality of the Cortina 1600 GXL, especially the condition of the bodywork. 

Looking resplendent in metallic brown, what we believe to be the best colour for this model, it will take you a while to find a blemish. Being 52 years old and believed to be original, look hard enough and you will eventually spot a small dent on the near side front wing, a couple of minor areas of paint bubbling on the nearside rear sill and dogleg section and lower rear valance, after that you will find a small amount of aging on the wheel arch edges but our vendor is being extremely picky in our view. 

Just go and look at the images in the gallery and you will agree that this really is in unbelievable condition, we challenge you to go and find another Ford Cortina 1600 GXL like this, we suspect it will not be easy. Apart from the aforementioned bits above, it is an unbelievably pretty car that belies it 52 years and looks stunning from every angle. 

The vinyl roof is in very good order with nothing negative to point out, as is all the brightwork, door handles, grille, headlamps and so on. The only notable exception is a small dent to the front bumper, had we not a close-up image in the gallery of the dent we’d be surprised if it would even be spotted.  

Interior 

 The design and condition are just amazing. All the seats, front and back look like they have hardly been sat on and are in keeping with the 33k miles. The carpets look the same, as does the roof lining. 

The famous sloping dash is crack free and proudly shows the fake walnut with no signs of wear or shrinkage, that also goes for all the door trims whether front or rear.  Just take a look at the photos and you will agree this Ford Cortina 1600 GXL is genuinely in time warp condition, which as we previously mentioned, is in line with the odometer reading. 

Equally all the touchpoints whether on the door handles, steering wheel or switches show no signs of wear. The only real thing of note is the little badge on the gear knob that is somehow missing. Such a shame but not that big of a deal; we are sure a replacement can be sourced quite easily. We’re then talking about a 52-year-old car with an almost perfect interior. 

Every switch works as it should, in fact you would be forgiven for thinking you were in a 2-year-old car, not a 52-year-old one. 

Truly wonderful. 

Engine 

Open the bonnet and you’re met with a lovely, original engine bay that again shows how honest and original this example really is. Nestled inside is that lovely 1600cc Pinto engine. 

This is where the car gets really interesting; some of you Ford afficionados will be shouting that this early Mark 3 Ford Cortina GXL should have a 2000cc engine. To be fair you probably noticed the 1.6 GXL badge on the wings earlier so were shouting then. Anyway, it is fair to say that the Cortina GXL did get the 1.6 Pinto engine – but not for two years as it was not commonly fitted and offered by Ford until at least 1973.   

We are unsure why this early example has the 1.6 fitted but it is all true and correct matching numbers and makes it an extremely rare example. We will let you think about why, maybe it was a press car, maybe a show car, who knows?   

If you are aware why though, then we would love to understand this anomaly, so do please get in touch. 

What we do know is that the 1600 GXL drives extremely well and pulls as it should through all the gears. It sounds wonderful through the 4-branch manifold and out the rear silencer – which we believe must have been replaced within the last ten or so years due to its great condition. 

Our View  

This is usually the part where we waffle on about how great we think the car is.  We would just implore you to check out the image gallery and video to make your own mind up. 

We are pretty confident you will come to the same conclusion as us, that although document pack has been mislaid at some point in its life, the Ford Cortina GXL stands up all on its own and the condition, of not only the bodywork and the underside, but also the interior do match the extremely low 33k mileage that is shown on the odometer. 

Like we said, if you can find a “Coke Bottle” Cortina in this stunning original condition on the market today we will be astonished.   

A truly collectable condition Mark 3 Ford Cortina 1600 GXL.  Get your skates on.