RSS feeds available Dont miss the latest news Cortina news feed Classified adds feed .............................................. March 3rd AOMC Classic car show pictures ready for viewing in the gallery ............................................ March 1st Stock coming soon of MK2 Cortina Inner and outer Tie rods. ............................................ February 14th Hanging rock images in the gallery Ballarat hotrod drag drags also in the gallery YouTube video of both events also ............................................ February New! version of alloy rocker covers available Here ............................................... Visit the Classifieds! Free to list - Free to sell For small Ford owners Register, and you can place your own adds. Click here! .............................................. February 7th Small Ford Sunday images ready for viewing in the gallery You tube videos on the cortina-mk1 channel ............................................... January 26th Drag racing page updated here ............................................... January 4th Paint code section updated here .............................................. October 19th New design strut tops No change over required. See details here ............................................. October 2nd Rear brake wheel cylinders for GT and standard Cortina now in stock! Details here ............................................. September 27th New online catalog and revised parts page Now all in one area here .............................................. August 26 Rust repair sill sections for MK1 cortinas. Go here for details ............................................... August 19 New albums in the gallery Classic Ford show UK and images from Norway cortina club AGM ............................................... August 17 UK MK1 National Rally See 239 images now in the gallery. Results here ............................................... August 16 Updates made thoughout the site. Also new pages to our new project V8 here. ............................................... July 11 More progress pics of our 63 GT restoration. In the gallery .............................................. May 26 Images from the Small Ford Alliance drag day at Heathcote park here and video here We broke the gearbox on start line ............................................... May 13 MK2 Cortina seals now available! See images here .............................................. April 10 Media page updated Small Ford alliance Dyno day Videos HERE and images in the gallery See our dyno printout HERE .............................................. February 15 New! All Ford Day images in the gallery Plus video HERE ............................................... February 10 Our 2 door deluxe featured in 'Street Fords' HERE! .................................................... January 2nd New tech guide to fitting Datsun crankshafts into Kent blocks HERE ! ................................................

What's my model?
Ever wondered about the differences between each MK1 model ? We will try and explain what are the common names that some enthusiasts use to describe them. Find images of key areas that can help you determine which model the car is.
Exterior information can also be used to identify Lotus Cortina models but interior dash layout are completely different and unique to Lotus.
Want to know an easy way to determine a MK1 from a MK2 ? Go here.
Below is British model production highlights and dates.
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Models 1962 through to 1963
To the right we will start with the earliest model MK1 sometimes called 'Consul' or 'pre airflow through' Cortina. Very few 1962 models around so more than likely to find would be a '63 model.
The main difference in determining these early model Mk1's is look at the dash. A strip or bar type speedo was used with the top speed indicated at 100 mph. No temperature gauge were used in these models just a warning light.
Exceptions to this were only the GT produced in 1963 which had 110mph bar speedo. It also had fitted a temp gauge beside the speedo and 2 extra gauges in the centre console. Another interior difference with these models was the indicator, horn and headlight stalk. These models had the headlight switch together with turn indicators and horn button mounted on the steering column.

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The exterior of the Consul Cortina
From 1962 to 1964 the exterior was the same. Easiest way to identify these cars from outside was to look at the front grill and park lights sometimes referred to 'Oval park light model'

Although there are other differences which are more difficult to pick like different bumper mounting points, bonnet and boot badges. The inside of the boot had a different support to later models. In most cases these things could have been changed over its life so these methods are usually used to identify the parts and what model they came from.
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Model 1964
While still called the same 'Consul' or 'pre airflow through' Cortina the major difference with these cars was the change in the dash. Instead of the 'bar' or 'strip' type speedo used in the previous model they changed to two large round gauges. See also the indicators on the side. Exterior was unchanged from earlier models so from the outside you cannot tell the difference.
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Model 1965 through to 1966
These are the more common models around and had significant changes to interior and the exterior from earlier model Cortinas. Commonly called 'Air flow' models because of the major revision to the dash.
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The exterior of the 'airflow ' Cortina
When you look at the front of these cars it will be easily to identify what model the car is. The major exterior change was the park light and front grill. While early models had a square larger holes in the grill these models had a finer very small slots in the grill.
These model also had the grill going around the different shape park light as well. Sometimes referred to as the 'Squareish park light' these park lights were larger and had separate park and orange indicator light lense. You could also find the letters 'Cortina' spelt out on the front edge of the bonnet.
On the boot the 'Cortina' badge was mounted to right side of the car unlike the early models which was in the centre.

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The difference between MK1 & MK2
Easiest way, look at the tail lights. MK1 Cortinas are sometimes referred to as having tail lights that look like 'peace' signs. While MK2 Cortinas are square shape car and tail light shape and are easy to tell the difference. Generally any Cortina with a year of 1967 or above is usually a MK2.

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Highlights of the Ford Cortina in Britain
21 September 1962
Cortina 2 door 1200 introduced
October 1962
Production of the 4 door started
January 1963
Optional 1500 engine and Super was introduced
March 1963
1200 and 1500 estate cars introduced
April 1963
GT version with more power, disk brakes & remote control gear change
September 1963
Circular instruments for all models, grease points eliminated
December 1963
Borg Warner auto transmission with regular 1500 engine
September 1964
Aero flow ventilation introduced, new grill & disk brakes
September 1965
Estate cars have simulated wood replaced with chrome trim. Front quarters light fixed on all models. Steering column gear change no longer available, standard saloons to special order only.
21st October 1966
The first of the new MK2 Cortinas introduced

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Consul Cortina models

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1965 to 1966 below
 
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