1981 FORD CORTINA 80

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

The two-litre Pinto unit fires up happily from cold and there are no misfires, splutters or signs that anything’s amiss once on the move. It’s a similar story with the light clutch and four-speed gearbox, which slips in and out of ratios without graunching or jumping. The temperature gauge remains at the halfway point when left idling, too. The power-assisted steering is light with no vagueness or play and the brakes don’t judder or pull the car to either side. It’s a confident Cortina that feels as though it has plenty of life left in it, with no disconcerting rattles or knocks.

BODYWORK CHECK

Cast your eye over the Walnut Brown paintwork and you’ll find an even, consistent shine throughout, with bodywork devoid of surface corrosion or bubbling, and panel gaps suggestive of a car that hasn’t been pranged or poorly repaired. There’s no bubbling, scuffs or discolouration to the vinyl roof and both the security-etched glass and period-correct numberplates appear to be original. The 13inch alloy wheels are in good order and shod with matching Tristar tyres, which date back to 2016 but have plenty of tread and no cracks or bulges.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

This is this Cortina’s star quality. The wood on the dashboard panels and door tops is excellent and mark-free and it’s a similar story with the dry carpets, taut headlining and plump, unmarked seats. All of the instruments work as intended, and while the aftermarket Sony CD player won’t be to everyone’s taste, it does at least work. Just about the only issues that we could find in here were a very minor scuff on the driver’s door mat and a mirror adjustor that powers up but doesn’t currently work – neither are deal-breakers.

UNDER THE BONNET

There’s some very minor surface rust on the bulkhead and a general grubbiness to some of the components but no cracked pipes or frayed wires. There’s a slight oil weep towards the bottom of the block but the oil itself is at the correct level and of a healthy golden hue – nor is there any build-up of emulsion on the filler cap. Sadly there isn’t much in the way of history to vouch that this Cortina has been looked after over the years, save for the registration document and some old MOT certificates that do at least back up its mileage.

THE CCW VIEW

While this is at the upper end of what Cortina 80s and MKIVS currently fetch we think that this Ghia is well worth a look on account of how well it’s been preserved and the way it drives. It would go down a treat at classic shows later this summer or could be pressed into regular service without much fuss.

David Simister