JOIN THE CLUB: Cortina Mk3 Club
All about the Coke Bottle collective.
When was the club founded, and why? The MarkThree Owners’ Club was formed by Clarke Jones on February 29, 1992 — a leap year and also his birthday. In 2015 the members agreed to change the name to the Cortina Mk3 Club.
Which models do you cover? We cover all models of the Mk3 produced in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world — two and four-door saloons, estate, and the pick-up (Bakkie) produced in South Africa. The cars were introduced in October 1970 with Base, L, XL, GT and GXL trim levels. In September 1973 the GXL model was replaced by the 2000E.The Big Six and XLE models were produced in Australia and South Africa.
What does your club offer to new members? We welcome all members with an interest in the cars whether owners or not, and whether their cars are concours winners, undergoing restorations, standard or modified. Membership brings great benefits such as access to the members’ section of the club’s website with an interactive forum, links to suppliers as well as an active advice, parts for sale and wanted section, advice through the committee and other members on all aspects of ownership, modification and maintenance, discounted classic car insurance with Heritage Classic Car Insurance, plus the club’s magazine, Coke Bottles is produced four times a year. It contains forthcoming events, show reports, members articles, parts suppliers and cars and parts for sale as well as club merchandise.
Can you describe a typical member? We have members from all areas of the country with varying backgrounds and occupations from retired accountants to mechanical fitters. I suppose a typical new member would be one aged 40-plus looking to purchase a car they once owned in their late teens or early twenties.
Do you host your own show? We have a National Weekend every year in June — sadly cancelled this year due to COVID-19. We have our AGM on the Saturday morning followed by a run out in the afternoon and an evening quiz. Sunday is the show day.
What other shows does the club have a presence at? Our rea reps organise member attendance at shows in their area, but the main national events attended are Wheels Day, Lymington Classic Car and Bike Show, Scottish Ford Day, Cortina Day, and the Mk1/Mk2 Nationals at Stratford Racecourse. We are usually fortunate to be allocated a stand at the two NEC events — the Restoration Show in March and the Classic Motor Show in November.
The Mk3 is 50 this year — how are you planning to celebrate? Our National Weekend this year was going to be held near Dagenham and was going to kick off with a run out to the Ford Heritage Centre followed by a photoshoot at the Dunton test track, but both have been postponed sadly. We’re looking to do this all next year instead. However, we have had some commemorative mugs produced!
What are the club’s goals for the future? The club continues to promote the Mk3 Cortina in the classic car world and to support its members as much as possible. To this end the major focus is on parts — both remanufacturing and purchasing of scarce or reasonably-priced job lots when items become available.The club has even had a number of small trim items unique to the Mk3 Cortina that have been 3D printed.
Club Essentials
Membership costs: £30 per year (UK) Club contact details: 07876 252472, www.cortinamk3club.com