How did the Cortina wrong-foot British Leyland?

It would start with one man’s vision. The dream of a car that could win races. That would sell over 4.3M cars over 20 years. That would change with fashions and become a thing of legend. That could help a rep make his sale by taking the company’s latest teasmade from Slough to Swindon on a tricky Tuesday in the rain. That could take the kids and their luggage on a week’s holiday to Clacton while using slightly less fuel and with slightly more luggage space. That car would be the Ford Cortina and this is its story!

And yes, I can't say "Ford Anglia" in this video. You only find these things out when you hear yourself back!

Intro music: "Bus Da Blockbuster" from the YouTube Audio Library.
Outro music: "Classique" from the YouTube Audio Library.

#bigcar #FordCortina

[BigCar]

Yes, I can't say "Ford Anglia" in this video. You only find these things out when you hear yourself back!

[urbanspaceman]

My mum couldn't say Anglia, we had many happy days out in our angular.

[jasenwright]

My late father had one of the first MK 4 Cortina's. I drove past his house and saw this fantastic looking car on his driveway! I drove it a couple of times and everywhere I went and parked--people came around to look at the car! Brilliant!

[helmethead]

As an 18-year old kid, I had a '76 2.0 XL automatic, NPW 983P, loved it to bits. With a mate, we went on a 1600 mile road trip from Surrey up to Loch Ness and back via Glen Coe, Loch Lomond, the Lake District and back down the M6, M1 and the recently opened M25.
These days, an adventure for an 18-year old is sadly somewhat different.

[nottjohn]

I had a Mk5, my mate had a Mk4. His was rusty, mine wasn't. It was a 2.0l GL but I went to work putting Capri alloys on it, a Granada Ghia dash (and got all the dials to work), a few engine mods and red interior "mood lighting". Oh yeah, I loved that car. Not bad for a young man of 20 years old at the time. I named it 'the beast' and it had quite an effect on pulling the ladies.
Top video, great memories.

[wernerbloemwagen]

In South Africa we LOVED the Cortina! In óur own family, my Mom had a 1.6L station wagon, Dad had the 2.0GL sedan, his oldest brother had the 3.0GLS and his youngest brother had an AWESOME XR6! With Grandad rounding it all off in his 3.0GLE Granada : thís all happened in 1979 - 1983.

[jamescollins]

Thanks for the memories. I bought one in 1972 in Malawi, drove it from Blantyre-Limbe to Nairobi and back with a few side trips, about 5200 miles. Had Tanzanian police point their guns at us, got chased by a momma elephant. It is still one of my favorite cars.

[nicholasnicolaou]

I remember growing up right through each Cortina transition. I loved them they were everywhere and it was like growing up in a giant sweet shop! Fantastic video very interesting from start to finish. Proper cars❤️

[whichdoctor]

My old man had a Mk3 2000E auto last of the line 1976. British racing green and vinyl black roof. Looked great.

[weedmastersr]

I had a toy Ford Cortina as a kid. This video reminded me of a beloved childhood toy. Thank you for that!

[FrndsCallMeDaz]

As a South African, and a diehard Ford Fanatic, I am very appreciative that you always mention our local versions of Hot Fords. Thank you, the world needs to know about South African car culture!
But worth mentioning, mk3 came in a XLE, known as the Big Six, a cult classic. Mk4 came in 30S, a sporty 3.0 V6 and MK5 came as XR6 also a 3.0 V6, but there were a few really special editions, like XOCET, Interceptor (which Andre Stander used for his heists, was also a special for the police, which Stander was one of), Magnum, and TF (for Team Ford)

[leftpastsaturn]

Repeat after me: "Ang lee ah" :D
My father owned a Mk1 (and the Anglia) & I learned to drive in a Mk2 1600E. Seeing so many Lotus Cortina's still racing is testament to the great design.

[fgsaramago]

The Cortina was also produced in Azambuja, Portugal.

My great grandfather worked at the assembly line there until an accident involving a Cortina bonnet put him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Back then, that Ford plant wasn't a very safe place to work and accidents where somewhat common

[i]

The Mk3 was a real looker! I remember it as a 70's hot sedan.
The police here in Israel used it and the Mk4 later.

[MicrobyteAlan]

It’s fascinating watching how a model morphs. Very interesting and well presented. Thanks

[davidcoats]

I was stationed in England (RAF Bentwaters) in 1980, had a 66 Cortina, Reg P00604D. my mechanic called her POO. Loved that car. Didn't pass the MOT so got a 68 Cortina. failed the next MOT and got a 72 Cortina

[Rouxenator]

Thanks for covering the South African Cortina derivatives. We sure love our bakkies (pickups) and even today you see the odd 3L Cortina bakkie on the road. The word is derived from the "bak" (load bed) the vehicle has. Directly translated "bak" means bowl.

[theredplanet]

You make such no-nonsense programmes. I really enjoy listening to what you say, because of the way you say it. I came across this channel by accident, but have become a big fan.

[KJM.]

Another good informative vlog the Ford cortina was a great car Ford really were in tune with the times from the mk1 to the mk5 for me they were a country mile ahead in terms of styling from rival manufacturers keep the vlogs coming 👍👍

[davidlawton]

Excellent report on the Cortina-I owned the complete range and eventually moved over to the Sierras owning a 2.0GLSi Saphire….😊