Well Bought
Ford Cortina MkIV
It’s a Ford – but not a fast one.
Contrary to popular belief, the market isn’t fixated solely on RS- and XRbadged Fords – it wants the regular models, too. However, buyers tend to go for the performance versions first, so you’re more likely to get a good deal on a car that doesn’t have a queue of would-be owners clamouring for it.
The lowly spec helped, too.
When it comes to Cortinas, and the MkIV especially, it’s the higherspecification GL and Ghia that come to auction most often. The market likes better trim levels and in Ford circles the higher a car’s trim level, the greater its desirability. To have an Cortina L is unusual; many had hard lives as sales rep cars, after which they spiralled down the used car network before finally getting scrapped or banger-raced.
It had plenty of history.
There was some good background to this three-owner example. It was originally owned by London Ford dealer, Highbury Corner Motor Company, and the second owner – who bought it in 1981 – kept it until 2019. It had old MoT-test certificates running from 1982 to the last one issued in 2018 and receipts from 2000 to 2019.
The condition wasn’t bad, either.
It wasn’t perfect, with specks of surface rust and some bubbling paint in places, but otherwise the rare Midnight Blue paint still looked good.
Panel condition and fit was good and the engine bay needed little more than a decent clean. Inside all was bright, cheerful and well-maintained, other than a bit of bagginess in the driver’s seat.
The buyer got a good deal – and below estimate.
This smart Cortina may not have been a Ghia or GL, but it wasn’t a ‘billy-basic’ one either. Long-term ownership was a good sign, it looked good inside and out and there was some paperwork. Among all the strong prices in ACA’s first 2021 sale, the buyer had a result with this one.