Ford Consul Cortina/Ford Cortina (Archbishop). 1962–6 (prod. 933,143; 1,010,090 also reported). 2- and 4-door saloon, 5-door estate. F/R, 1198, 1498 cm³ (I4 OHV), 1558 cm³ (I4 DOHC). Conventional mid-sized saloon from Ford of Britain, codenamed Archbishop, a distant relation to German Ford Taunus 12M (P4), codenamed Cardinal, but with rear-wheel drive. Cortina name meant to bring romance into British motoring; car dropped Consul tag in 1965. Mild refresh in 1964, with extractor vents added to C-pillar. Began Ford’s domination of family car sector that eventually happened when Mk III Cortina came along; Mk I sold on value for money. Lotus Cortina from 1963 had 1·6-litre engine, major competition successes.

Manufacturing location: Dagenham, Essex, England

Marque: Ford | Model: Ford Cortina | Successor: Ford Cortina Mk II

Off-site link

• Buying a Mk I or Mk II Ford Cortina