Ford Consul Cortina

Key facts

Year

1963
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

1,198cc
Cylinders

In-line 4
Valves

Overhead
Output

50hp @ 4,900rpm
Performance

0-60mph 22.5 seconds
Price new

£591
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Ford Motor Co. Ltd

Launched in 1962, the Consul Cortina was a milestone for Ford and destined to be a best seller. Designed from the outset to be a competitive medium-sized car at a low price, the Cortina was offered with a range of engine, transmission and body options. Its light weight made it the cheapest, fastest and most economical car of its class. The Consul part of the name was dropped in 1964. A whole category of medium-size motor cars was soon known as the Cortina class.

The Cortina proved to be a major marketing success, equally popular with family owners and fleet operators. 1,013,391 were built before the equally successful MkII appeared in 1966. This was followed by three more versions until the Cortina was finally replaced by the Sierra in 1982, by which time over four million of all five marks had been built.