Ford Cortina MK1 (1962–1966)

De Ford Cortina Mk1 (1962-1966) was the definitive British family car of the 1960s, with over one million units built in four years. Featuring Kent engines ranging from 1,2 to 1,5 litres and 48 to 78 hp, available as a two- and four-door saloon and estate, the Cortina introduced an unprecedented combination of affordability, space, and performance — culminating in the Lotus Cortina with a 105 hp twin-cam engine in just 2.894 units.

1966 Ford Cortina MK1

History and background

Launched on September 20, 1962, the new Ford Cortina would define the family car segment for the next two decades and confirm Ford's dominance in the British market. The project came together in 1960 after a short but intense three-month consultation, culminating in a full-size clay model before the car went into production just 21 months later — an all-time record for the industry at the time.

The Ford Cortina had conventional rear-wheel drive with a four-speed fully synchronized gearbox and a 1200cc version of the straight four-cylinder that had first been seen in the 1959 Anglia. The bodywork was fresh and modern, and the base car was very competitively priced — £36 less than the smaller Morris 1100.

Terence Beckett, the man behind the project, would later say: “The Cortina came in under budget and, most importantly, we did it in record time. We decided we needed a bigger body and more wheel travel. We decided to offer a decent trunk — in a way we overdid it, but it was perfect for a representative who wanted to take monsters along, and perfect for the family rider.”

More than 300.000 Cortinas were sold within a year of the announcement, and the millionth Cortina rolled off the production line in September 1966 — four years and a few weeks after the introduction.

Between 1962 and 1974, the Ford Cortina was also assembled at the Dutch Ford factory “Amsterdam Assembly”. This factory also exported Cortinas to the United Kingdom due to the high demand for the model and because strikes occasionally occurred on the island.

Interior of a 1966 Ford Cortina MK1

Design and interior

The bodywork was sleek and modern, developed in just 21 months from clay model to production. The Cortina was newly added to the model range and positioned between the Ford Anglia and the Ford Consul Classic. It was developed under the project name “Archbishop” — a reference to the “Cardinal” project that resulted in the German Taunus 12M.

In 1964, the model range was revised with minor interior and exterior changes. Mechanical improvements included the fitting of front disc brakes. At this point, the “Consul” part of the name was dropped — from then on, the car displayed only Cortina badges at the front and rear.

Model variants

Cortina Standard (1962–1966) — entry-level model:

1.198cc Kent engine with 48 hp. Two-door saloon as entry-level model, four-door added later. Base price £675 at introduction — £36 cheaper than the Morris 1100.

Cortina Deluxe (1962–1966) — mid-range:

Slightly better equipment, £666 at launch. Available as a two- and four-door saloon. Best-selling variant in the Mk1 range.

Cortina Super / 1500 Super (1963–1966) — larger engine:

Announced in January 1963, a few months after the introduction. 1.499cc engine, 60 hp. Improved brakes and better finish. Available as a two- and four-door saloon and a five-door estate.

Cortina GT (1963–1966) — top-of-the-line sporty model:

Introduced in the spring of 1963, with lowered suspension and the engine boosted to 78 hp — through a different camshaft profile, new cylinder head, and double-wing valve Weber carburetor. Top speed 91 mph (146 km/h), 0-60 mph in 12,1 seconds.

Cortina Estate (1963–1966) — station wagon:

The estate version had top-of-the-category payload capacity and the option to install faux wood strips along the sides — just like the large American family cars of that era.

Lotus Cortina Mk1 (1963–1966) — the racing legend:

Presented in Monte Carlo in January 1963, publicly displayed at the London Racing Car Show. Developed in collaboration between Ford and Lotus. Twin-cam 1.558cc Lotus engine, 105 hp. Only 2.894–3.304 examples produced (Ford and Lotus figures respectively). The sportiest Cortina ever — with Jim Clark as its principal ambassador on the racetrack.

1966 Ford Cortina MK1 engine

The engines all belonged to the same family and differed only in displacement and tuning curve. The design was a four-cylinder with the intake and exhaust ports on the same side of the cylinder head.

Terence Beckett brought the Cortina into production in just 21 months, from a full-size clay model to the first production example — an all-time industry record at the time. An achievement so remarkable that Ford itself continued to talk about it decades after the car had been discontinued.

Ford Cortina MK1 1500 DeLuxe

Competitors

The Cortina competed in the British and European B/C segment of family cars in the early 1960s. Direct competitors were:

• BMC Morris 1100 / Austin 1100 (direct target — £36 more expensive than the base Cortina)
• Vauxhall Victor FB
• Hillman Minx
• Triumph Herald

Successor model

De Mk2 Cortina introduced in 1966 a wider, heavier body on the same basic platform as the Mk1. The same underpinnings but with more space, more comfort, and a new Crossflow engine from 1967. The Mk1 and Mk2 are therefore the most direct example of platform continuity in Cortina history.