1967 Ford Cortina - Remarkable Rallying History/Pristine Condition
Introduced in 1962, the Ford Cortina quickly established itself as one of Britain's most popular family cars, combining practical design with accessible performance. Its success extended well beyond the everyday motoring market, with the Cortina earning a formidable reputation in motorsport, particularly in rallying and circuit racing. Today, well-preserved and properly restored examples are increasingly appreciated for their period character, competition heritage and place in British motoring history.
First registered in 1967, this exceptional Ford Cortina is finished in Ermine White with a contrasting black interior and is in quite an outstanding condition. A three-door saloon with a 1,498cc engine, it is a particularly interesting car, not simply because of its immaculate presentation, but because of the extraordinary history that accompanies it. This is a car with a genuine story to tell, supported by an extensive archive that documents its early competition life, its successive stages of restoration and the considerable care lavished upon it over the years.
The Cortina has clearly enjoyed a strenuous early life, having been prepared for both circuit racing and rallying before eventually being restored to the wonderful condition in which it can be appreciated today. Its history file begins with photographs from its rallying days and continues through the various stages of its life, providing a fascinating visual record of the car's transformation. There are photographs showing its different colours over the years, professional and amateur images, period advertisements, newspaper articles, club magazines, restoration photographs and a substantial collection of invoices detailing the work undertaken. There is also MOT history dating back to 1978, adding further substance to its documented past.
One of the most fascinating documents within the file is a typed letter dated 2005 from Tony Johnson, who wrote to a subsequent owner, Barry, to explain the car's history and answer questions about its earlier life. Mr Johnson acquired the Cortina in 1974, on the very day he sold his 1964 Lotus Cortina, which he had owned for three years. The previous owner to Mr Johnson and the first owner had enjoyed the car from new, having brought it up from Guildford in London and commissioned Priestly Engineering of Aycliffe, County Durham, to prepare it for circuit racing. The work included a Stage 3 engine and a number of additional performance upgrades, establishing the foundations of its competition pedigree. By 1970, the car had been re-prepared for rallying, acquiring a strut brace, sump guard, reversing spotlight, Bosch iodine headlights and air-filter boxes. It was in this rally-prepared form that Mr Johnson purchased it in 1974, when the odometer recorded 69,000 miles. According to his detailed account, the mileage has never been altered or the car clocked, a particularly valuable piece of information when considering its long and active life. The ownership story is equally intriguing. The original owner repeatedly tried to persuade Mr Johnson to sell the Cortina back to him, eventually succeeding in 1976 when Mr Johnson's redundancy prompted its return. However, in 1978, Mr Johnson spotted the car advertised for sale again and immediately bought it back. This remarkable sequence of events explains why the V5C records eight previous keepers, while the documented history suggests that the actual number of individual owners is lower, as the first two owners each possessed the car on more than one occasion. It is an unusual and thoroughly engaging chapter in the Cortina's history, adding a personal dimension that is rarely found in such detail.
The car's competition career continued into later years, with documented appearances at the Stocktonian Rally in 1978, the Clitheroe 800 Rally in 1990 and Rallye Bristowe in 1990. These events, supported by the photographs and contemporary material in the history file, provide further evidence of the Cortina's involvement in the enthusiast and rallying scene long after its original preparation.
The restoration is another significant part of the story. Between 2016 and 2017, more than £20,000 was spent on the car, with a detailed breakdown of expenditure retained within the history file. The accompanying invoices provide a valuable record of the investment made, while the extensive photographic archive illustrates the journey to its present condition. The result is a Cortina that looks absolutely superb, with the crisp presentation and attention to detail that make such a strong impression in the showroom.
Its standing within the classic Ford community is further reinforced by its long-standing association with the Cortina Owners Club. The car has also featured in Classic Ford magazine, where a dedicated article beautifully captures both its appearance and the story of its restoration. For the next custodian, this provides not only an enjoyable piece of motoring memorabilia but also a published account of the car's remarkable journey.
The accompanying documentation is unusually comprehensive and includes a Ford Cortina workshop manual, the original-style owner's handbook, a period Ford Cortina sales brochure, club magazines, old sales advertisements, numerous invoices and the extensive correspondence and photographic records already mentioned. It is an archive that deserves to be explored at leisure, offering a wealth of information for anyone with an interest in the Cortina, classic Ford ownership or the history of British club motorsport.
More recently, the car has benefited from a new air filter, radio and speakers, adding to the ongoing attention it has received. However, it is the overall condition and the way the Cortina drives that really complete the picture. As the photographs demonstrate, this is an exceptionally well-presented car, and out on the road it drives beautifully, offering the character and enjoyment that have helped make the classic Cortina such an enduring favourite.
For the enthusiast seeking a beautifully restored classic Ford with genuine period competition history, a fascinating ownership story and an exceptional supporting archive, this 1967 Cortina is a particularly compelling proposition. It combines the appeal of a smart, usable classic with the depth of provenance that makes a car memorable long after the initial viewing.
Presented by Milestone Classics, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a Cortina with so much of its past carefully preserved. Given its condition, history and enthusiast appeal, we do not expect it to remain with us for long.
Viewings by appointment only.
PRICE: £34495