1970 Ford Cortina 1600E

A well-known British icon used as a sales car or family saloon… the Cortina did it all. Finished in 'Silver Fox', which at the time was a very modern metallic colour. The finish is excellent, and the car presents well on the exterior, in the engine bay, on the boot floor, and underneath. The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these hi-resolution images and videos of the car, and make up your own mind about the condition of the paint. The Cortina’s body has had a considerable amount of work carried out, as can be seen in the documented photographs. Both rear quarter panels were replaced, along with the wings and some floor sections. Looking around the car, the panels appear to align well, and no dings or dents were spotted. The underside deserves a separate mention, as this is stunning and just as clean as the exterior. We've highlighted our observations in more detail through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves. The dashboard is in excellent condition, with no splits or cracks to the top. The wooden fascia also presents well, with no damage spotted. The instruments are working correctly. The tachometer does appear to read a little high, and the odometer shows a reading of ~48,558 miles, at the time of our visit, Steve has covers ~20 miles since then. Driving the iconic Ford Cortina 1600E is a wonderfully nostalgic experience, reminiscing about everyday usability with a surprising touch of sporting character. Its eager 1.6-litre crossflow engine delivers smooth, lively performance, while the light steering makes it easy and enjoyable to place on the road. The 1600E received upgraded suspension and trim, giving it a more refined feel than standard Cortinas of the era. All of the windows appear to be original; there are some light scratches to the side windows from being wound up and down, but these are quite minor. All the seals appear to be in good condition with no signs of perishing. The trim is in excellent condition, with no noticeable scratches other than a few age-related marks in keeping with the age. The headlights, spotlights, and indicators, along with the rear light lenses, are all in good condition, with no damage to note. Please view the photos and video below to review the condition of the glass and trim for yourself. Fitted with the original Rostyle wheels, they have been refurbished and are in excellent condition, topped off with classic chrome trims. The tyres are a matching set in like-new condition, having covered only a few miles. Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old. The original seats have been retained, with the fronts retrimmed in original-style vinyl, while the rear remains original. The front seats are in excellent condition, having not been used; the original rears do have some light patina, but nothing excessive. All four door cards present well. There are some minor signs of age, but again, nothing significant. The carpets throughout have been replaced; therefore, these are in excellent condition. Inside the boot, the spare wheel is present, and the boot floor mat is also in new condition. The crossflow engine was rebuilt during the restoration. Also fitted is an alternator, which looks like the old-style dynamo. The 1600 runs beautifully, sounds great, and has no reported issues. Fitted with a four-speed gearbox, this has also been rebuilt and recently overhauled, and the car pulls well through all the gears, which are easily selected. Please watch the On the Road video to see the car starting and being driven around the local area. All of the switchgear appears to be in good condition and is said to be working correctly. The only thing that isn’t working is the radio - this is a new Motorola unit that also has an iPod input, so, in theory, there shouldn’t be much wrong, but Steve hasn’t had a chance to look into it further. The garage that carried out the restoration kindly noted every part fitted to the car, which turned out to be a lot, as you will see when you look through the paperwork section. There are also several invoices from the Mk2 Cortina Owners Club for various parts purchased. The beauty of buying from the owners' club is that the parts are reputable and high-quality. This is a fantastic opportunity for any classic car fan to get behind the wheel of a classic Ford that has had a no-expense-spared restoration carried out by an enthusiast garage. The Cortina is ready and waiting to attend any show, go straight into a collection, or be enjoyed as a weekend car; the choice is yours! We’ve done all our usual seller checks, including photo ID and V5 verification, and also actioned a history check on the vehicle. This is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or has any outstanding finance. Note, this does not include a mileage history check. We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above; however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail. This has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa, and take your time to review everything in this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time. We just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming. If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid(s), as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car, just like a traditional auction house. On the road, the Cortina handles as well as you would expect; all of the suspension components have been replaced, along with all the bushes, giving a ride as good as when it left the factory. The braking system has also been given plenty of new parts, ensuring the Cortina comes to a stop in a straight line, with no problems reported. Fitted with the original three-spoke steering wheel, the Cortina centre badge shows some patina, while the outer rim has been retrimmed in leather, which is excellent. The four-speed gear knob has some light signs of age, but less than you would expect for a 56-year-old car.