Ford Cortina 2000E
ENGINE 1993cc/4-cyl/OHC POWER 97bhp@5500rpm TORQUE 111lb ft@3500rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 103mph 0-60MPH 10.5sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 26-34mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, five-speed manual MoT 12 months on sale ODOMETER 50,600 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
This Cortina starts on the button, idles happily and runs perfectly with no untoward exhaust smoke or overheating when left running. It glides over poor surfaces, and while it leans hard into bends, it grips well. The engine is quiet at idle and revs eagerly, remaining composed and giving respectable acceleration up to high cruising speeds. A later Ford five-speed gearbox has also been fitted. The nonassisted steering delivers good feedback on the move, with no play or looseness in the system. The brakes are up to the job and pull up squarely time after time.
BODYWORK CHECK
This Cortina was restored some time ago, but shows little sign of use since. The paint is excellent; look hard enough and you’ll spot the odd chip and imperfection, but the bodywork is straight, with no dings or rust; a look under the wheel arches reveals no horrors and the spotless black-painted metalwork looks showroom fresh. The oh-so-Seventies black vinyl roof is perfect, with no marks, tears or fading. The chromework is all fantastic, with no pitting, and the rubber bumper inserts look good. The plastic light lenses are bright and clear while the pressed steel wheels are prefect, with chrome rim embellishers and new 185/70 R13 tyres.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The interior is remarkable. The blue seats have no wear at all – just light creasing on the driver’s squab. The carpets look new, as do the door rubbers. The headlining appears to be original but is in great condition, and the veneer on the wooden dash and door caps hasn’t cracked. The padded dash top and door cards are mint. The upgraded later gearbox is disguised by a Ford-badged wooden gear knob. A MW/ LW radio is fitted, along with static seatbelts. In fact, the only wear in the entire cabin is to the steering wheel; some of the colour has rubbed off, leaving a mottled blue and black pattern, though this should be a straightforward fix.
UNDER THE BONNET
The engine bay is pristine – everything is either original and very clean or has been replaced. As such, the original wiring loom sits alongside what appear to be new metal brake lines, but both look recent. The engine itself is spotless with a chrome rocker cover and the blue plastic air cleaner matches the car. There are no signs of any leaks, and the inner wings are solid.
THE CCW VIEW
This Cortina has plenty going in its favour – low mileage, a goodquality restoration, plus a later five-speed manual gearbox – all of which make this 2000E about as good as a Cortina MkIII can get. It looks like new and, we would suggest, actually drives slightly better.