When Ford collaborated with Lotus, the result was a Cortina that enjoyed success on the track and in the showroom. The downside is that today, the Lotus Cortina’s desirability means it tends to attract high prices in the classic car market. This 1970 Cortina Mk II 1600E could be a more affordable alternative. It presents extremely well and is ready to head to a new home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the Cortina listed here on Craigslist in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. The seller set their price at $22,900 for this little British gem.
Ford launched the Mk II version of the Cortina in October 1966, with the latest offering featuring significant styling upgrades for a more modern appearance. Buyers were spoiled for choice, with a wide range of trim and engine options offered by the company. The four-door version of the 1600E hit showroom floors approximately a year later, utilizing the stronger bodyshell that was previously reserved for the GT. It was easy to distinguish the 1600E from lesser mortals because, apart from appropriate badges, buyers received side stripes, a blacked-out taillight panel, foglights mounted in front of the grille, and Rostyle wheels as standard fare. This Cortina retains those items, presenting beautifully in Blue Metallic, although I performed a spot of detective work that suggests that its first owner ordered it in Gold. The paint shines impressively, there are no significant panel imperfections, and the car appears to be rust-free. The glass is clear, with the limited exterior shots suggesting that this British classic has no cosmetic needs.
Ford added plenty of interior luxury touches to the 1600E to differentiate it from lesser models. Buyers received a timber dash fascia and door caps, a leather-wrapped sports wheel, and the same comprehensive gauge cluster found in the GT variant. As with the exterior, the seller’s interior shots are limited. However, they reveal no issues with the Black vinyl trim, the carpet, or the pad. The timber hasn’t deteriorated, and the wheel is in good order. There is a hole where the radio should be, but sourcing a correct unit via one of the many online auction sites shouldn’t be too difficult.
As the model designation suggests, this Cortina is powered by a 1.6-liter “Kent” crossflow four, teamed with a four-speed manual transmission. The factory quoted a power output figure of 88hp, which was considered very respectable when compared to the 93hp delivered by the GT variant, and the 109hp generated by the legendary Lotus twin-cam version. The seller indicates that they invested some serious cash in getting this Ford to its current state, but they provide no information regarding what this entailed. However, they confirm that the car runs and drives extremely well, suggesting that it is a turnkey proposition.
It isn’t unusual for sellers to falter in the quest to send their beloved classic to a new home, and that appears to be the case with this 1970 Cortina 1600E. The seller admits that they attempted to sell this beauty last year on Bring A Trailer, but they may have fallen foul of a non-paying buyer when the bidding hit $8,200. Their current asking price is far higher, but it is also significantly lower than you would expect to pay for a Lotus variant in similar condition. It has been on the market for a couple of months, but do you think that this Cortina will eventually find a new home at $22,900?
Had I not had actual experience with a car like this, I’d probably pass it by like just another Firebird post, but the Mk.ll Cortina had to be the most under rated car to come across the pond. The Mk.l, almost unheard of, was a bit more frumpy, and the War of the Worlds tail lights didn’t help, but the Mk.ll was a great car. Nice styling, simple straight forward dash, okay, the Kent 1600, the “other” motor for the Pinto, was nothing to write home about, but were good, reliable cars. The old man had one, a 2 door, bought it at the ins. auction, CHEAP, stuffed in the right door, had it repaired, and one day at school, some punk in daddy’s Electra, wiped out 4 parked cars, including the poor Cortina. I never saw’r another, except at Road America. That Lotus cleaned up on all the sedans. Highly under rated cars. But $22grand? Oh boy, someone is optimistic for a car nobody heard of.
I know where there is a GT in a junkyard that’s been sitting for a bit. The owner says “these sell for $100k when restored”. Lol. I had one when I was a kid and it was a blast to drive until the 4-spd went into cannibal mode.
Howard, there must be many Brits living in America that would be overjoyed to own this car, but I, as a Brit wouldn’t be one of them! They were largely rubbish back in the day and they will still be rubbish today, and $22k is a ridiculously lot of money to ask for a British Cortina of any year!
To be fair, $22,900 CND is only about $16,700 in USD. But as it only bid up to $8,200 on BaT in December, you’re correct, the asking price is way too optimistic. Nice car were it more reasonably priced though.
This isn’t just another Cortina MKII,it’s a 1600 E Cortina.
It came from the factory this way,with wider chromed wheels,
wood in the interior,including wooden door capings.
This model was never officially imported into the US,but
they did get them in Canada.
To me,Cortina MKIIs werent all that rare,& I had a number
of them over the years.The prices on these has gone way up,&
it’s rare to find one for a bargain price anymore.
The closest I’ve ever been to one of these is when I saw-
(sort of) a MKII Crayford convertible.It was near Smith Mountain Lake,
& was pretty much hidden under all of the stuff piled on it.Last I heard,
it was bought by a guy in NYC.
Sweet, posted 2 months ago.
Neat little car but relatively unknown. I like the eclectic British cars as drivers however I agree with a previous comment on the price. $22K is for someone with lots of spare cash and a real need to own this car. I think that market is very small for this unknown……..
My Dad had a ’68 Cortina GT. I learned to drive a stick shift in it. Awesome little car. But by ’73 it had rotted away. $23k is a little rich for this more door. But where will you find another one?
Over 200 pics at Bringatrailer. Likely owner was high bidder on a no reserve sale.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-ford-cortina-3/
This is a nice car which you don’t see very often. The car is located in Canada and advertised on the Canadian Craigslist at $22,900 Canadian dollars. In U.S. dollars the asking price is more reasonable at $16,570 U.S. dollars.
I had a new ’69 Ford Cortina that I really liked. Handled great, relatively quick and overall fun to drive. I’m still peeved that Ford stopped importing these in 1970 and basically stopped supporting them at the dealerships, thereby making it an orphan car.
Good job that this car is on the wrong side of the pond or I’d be all over it like a rash at that price!
There’s only one MkII Cortina for sale on UK Auto Trader and it’s this one, a Lotus at £35,000 or $47,440.26
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506103374219
Owned several Cortina’s over the years , the 1600 was a great unit especially when a sports cam and a side draft Weber was installed. I prefer the mark 1 body but the Mark. 2 was a better built car. I had one 4 door that we put a warmed over 1600 to go ice racing and itwas very successful until we found an Anglia and put the 1600 in it
From $8,200 to $22,900 ($16,573 US) is a bit steep. If I could get it into the country and delivered to MI for $15K, it might be worth it.
I bought a 1968 Cortina GT new (for $2498). I loved it and later bought a 1965 (MK1) Lotus Cortina, a MK1 Cortina Estate and at least two MK2 1600 sedans, They are still some of my favorite Brit boxes.
I had a 1968 Cortina Gt nice little car , put 40k on it in less than a year trouble free , a blast to drive , this one is nice !
Lmao typical reaction to a British car that isn’t a jagwire or MG.
Lmao typical reaction to a British car if it isn’t a jagwire or MG.
& i thought my boxy ’69 falcon 4 door was homely looking