"The second incarnation of the Cortina was designed by Roy Haynes and launched on 18th October 1966, four years after the original Cortina. Although the launch was accompanied by the slogan 'New Cortina is more Cortina'. Improvements included a better turning circle, softer suspension, self-adjusting brakes and clutch, together with the availability on the smaller-engined models, of a new five-bearing, 1300cc engine. A month later, in August, the 1300 received a new crossflow cylinder head design making it more efficient, while a crossflow 1600 replaced the 1500. The Cortina was Britain's most popular new car in 1967, achieving the goal that Ford had been trying to achieve since it set out to create the original Cortina back in 1962. Period reviews were favourable concerning both the styling and performance. Again, two-door and four-door saloons were offered with base, Deluxe, Super, GT and, later, 1600E trims available.
This example is a very special car indeed, it is one of the original Crayford convertibles, and is a hugely desirable 1600GT model. Our vendor purchased the car when she was just 18 years old in 2008, then set about a very thorough rotisserie restoration process, which ended up taking around eight years in total, the total cost being around £13,000. The starting point was a very solid rust-free car, which had been prepared ready for paint, then left in a barn for a few years. The decision was made to paint the car in this lovely Cherry Red, which suits the car very well. The car was painted back in 2008, and it was clearly done to a very good standard because it is holding up very well some fifteen years later. The seats were re-trimmed in black vinyl with red piping in 2017 and the roof was also fitted at the same time, the roof fits extremely well, without sagging. This Cortina presents absolutely beautifully throughout and would be ready to grace the showgrounds right away. It has been in current ownership for fifteen years and will be greatly missed. Only around 400 Mk. II Crayford Cortina’s were built, with only 102 Mk. II Cortina 1600GT’s currently registered in the UK (including standard hardtop saloon’s), it is safe to say you are very unlikely to see another one at your local shows.
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