Trigger's Mk3 Cortina

[trigger]

I did wonder that but on the same MOT test it has this written.

 

Advisory Notice issued

 

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

 

Offside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

 

Clutch anti slip wearing. surface rust on body. brake servo has slight misting of fluid.

 

Oil leak

 

So it changes to body rust?, I'll do some investigation work tomorrow and find out.

[Pete-M]

That looks like an MOT tester looking for things to fail it on, then deciding it's ok and covering his arse with advisories.

 

I know a few testers who go hard on older cars simply because they don't like them. Not all testers are car people. There are more than a few out there who do the job because their dad did the job and it's what they do.

[trigger]

I agree with that, when i got my Kadett MOTed last year the tester gave it an advisory on a oil leak (It's dripped from the sump 3 times in a year), he said he had to give it something as it was a old car...

[oman5]

Considering the prices these go for now (sheesh, I remember paying 300 quid for a T+T'd 2000E in 1992) this is a bargain, even considering the couple of minor issues. That bloke in Essex who runs "affordable classics" (HA!) would have been asking 4 grand for this. a rust free mk3 is a rare find, I think it was a bloody good buy. also I am certain that despite the facelift dash these still kept the floor mounted washer button to the left of the clutch. it could have been removed on this one.

[trigger]

the floor mounted washer button to the left of the clutch. it could have been removed on this one.

 

Thanks, I had a look at it today and it is sure enough on the floor next to the clutch pedal, I had to clean the jelly(?!) out of the bottle first but it works perfectly.

 

We removed the brake calipers as well this morning, Not really sure what the problem is with them as the pistons move although admittedly they are very stiff on the N/S, it also has cheap Apec pads in which are too big to slide in so we ground the edges off them so they slid in better, I'm going to buy a caliper repair kit for it, as well as a brake pad fitting kit as the pins are bent and the "R" clips have been replaced with small nails on one side!, I'm also going to replace the front brake flexi as someone said they can collapse inside and block up.

 

On the plus side the underneath is very solid with no signs of rust which is good, The not so good news is that the seller really bodged up the bodywork to sell it, there's filler in a few places that's been crudely aerosoled over, as have all the grinder marks and scratches on the bodywork making it look pretty shit especially where the paint has ran, I'm hoping a good few hours with some polish will help bring it back top life a bit, I really wish i haggled the price a bit more now when i bought it on reflection.

 

I need to find out what size the wipers should be as the current ones are only about 12" and are about as much good as a wet wank, and I've just won this STEREO of ebay for £2 which will hopefully be better then the Philips one currently in it without looking out of place.

[eddyramrod]

Considering the prices these go for now (sheesh, I remember paying 300 quid for a T+T'd 2000E in 1992) this is a bargain,

 

Wanna be really sick? In 1985 I bought a 72 2000GT 4d, Daytona Yellow, ex-Lancashire PD, 1 week of MoT and 4 weeks of tax... for a whole £40. Ran the tax out and flogged it to my mate for what I paid. It looked ok at first glance but was pretty rusty: the headlamps were only held in by the grille, for example. Those were the days, etc....

[Shep Shepherd]

That stereo looks GR11, but for maximum shite points, you should get hold of a Binatone one

[oldford]

Nice one Trigger, I had a MK 3 in that colour and had Cortinas from 1985 until 2009. Might even have a few spares such as stalk switches.

[Timewaster]

Even if you end up spending a grand on getting the bodywork sorted it was still a good buy. You worry too much trig!

Unfortunately you paid about £1.80 too much for that stereo. Sakura stuff is utter shit.

[trigger]

Hi Oldford, I've not seen you on here for a while, I'll have to bring it up to the garage to show you.

 

Yes i think your right Tontops, I am being a bit overcritical of the car, It's by no means bad, I just wish the seller was a bit more honest in his description, I don't think it helps that i haven't got it home yet neither so it doesn't overly feel like mine yet, Once I've got it home, hopefully this afternoon, and added my furry dice I'm sure I'll feel much more positive .

[Cavcraft]

Easy to say Trig but best to put the seller's (slight) dishonesty behind you mate, as you don't want it to cloud your judgement of what looks a truly ACE car. I'm with the others here, you've done really well with that and it's hard to see how you could ever loose out.

Originality seems to be a big key with these Cortinas so I'd humbly suggest it was probably such a good price because of the interior so it's a double win situation in my eyes.

 

Look forward to more pictures/details later Mike, as said it looks an ace car and you've done well.

[ashmicro]

I'd echo what Billy said, it looks like a good solid basis for a stunning car. 2 litre as well, you truly have the knack of buying good shite! The Kadett was a smashing looking thing, and those Escorts were excellent too.

[garycox]

I think it looks great! Have to say I'm not sure I'd pick it over the Opel though.

 

Would you have bid the same amount if it was described accurately?

[trigger]

I think it looks great! Have to say I'm not sure I'd pick it over the Opel though.

 

Would you have bid the same amount if it was described accurately?

 

I might have not have bid to be fair as I'm a bloody awful worrier when i come to things like that!, I know what you mean about the Opel, that was a totally different car to drive and own, I wanted a car i could do a bit too as with the Kadett i always felt like a cheat as there was nothing to do on it apart from jump in it and drive to shows, I fancied something i could tinker with.

 

I collected the Cortina this afternoon from my dad's and brought it home, i forgot how big it felt and how bouncy it is on the motorway, I think a stiffer suspension set up will be a future job.

 

I popped into Halfords and bought some 1/2 priced floor mats for £9.99 and the essential furry dice of course which have helped to make it feel more cosy as well as collecting the new radio, so for those of you who like photos i took a few earlier this evening when i got home.

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

I have to knock that dent out of the rear 1/4 and there's a small one by the "R" badge on the boot as well.

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Another job will be to lose the tow bar.

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Another dent on the front valance which is also covered in paint runs.

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Where's the clock?! I quite fancy one of those 8 Ball gear knobs for it as well.

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

The painted rear seat which doesn't look that bad in the flesh, it's really bouncy in the back!

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

I'm guessing Cedar garage sold the car second hand so it's a 1975 stamp on a '74 car?

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Clean a tidy with no rust to worry about.

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

I should have cleaned this out but that's the remains of one of the old seats, very clean in the boot though.

 

 

And this is a example of what most of the bodywork is like, Both front wings to have signs of pair filler repairs and the old paintwork is very matt but I think I've been over reacting a bit as i was so spoilt with the Kadett, for a 38 year old Ford it's bloody tidy really!.

[Pete-M]

Still a nice car Trig. Chuck a few quid at it and it could be one of the nicest around. It'll certainly be one of the best daily drivers.

 

I'd be well happy with that for the money. Tis nice thing.

[RobT]

I'd be plenty happy with that, and as you say yourself you want something to tinker with and it looks a good basis for doing so. All I'd do is give the interior a clean and run it as is for a while - enjoy

[warren t claim]

I hate to buck the trend but I'd lob in the original seats. Have you got the embellishers (sp?) for the steel wheels?

 

I may be wrong but I'm sure the boot trim is off a 2000E.

 

Spot on value though, I can't see you going far wrong with it.

[trigger]

I hate to buck the trend but I'd lob in the original seats. Have you got the embellishers (sp?) for the steel wheels?

 

I may be wrong but I'm sure the boot trim is off a 2000E.

 

I would replace in the interior if a nice blue set comes up, that said the Alfa seats are very comfy, The Rostyles were fitted by the guy i bought it of, the orginial steel wheels and chrome hub caps are in my shed, do you think embellisher would look better then?.

 

As for the rear trim I think all facelift XL's had them fitted.

 

 

 

[warren t claim]

Mk3 Cortina embellisher were probably one of my first automotive fantasies. Christ! I must of been 6 years old!

 

Any chance of getting a set of tombstones from a 4dr GT? They were amazingly comfy.

[oldford]

If you need any help with it, give me a shout. When fitting the radio, it's easier to do it by removing the glove box, rather than the dash board. I've also got some paintless dent removal tools, if you fancy having a go.

[Jordan T]

I personally really like 70's Fords with standard rims, chrome hubcaps, and skinny tyres. However, those rostyles are nice and make the car look butch! lol

[Guest]

 

Are they still about - looks like they sold it 2nd hand in 1975 and again in 1977. As for the wheels it would be the same as this if it was mine - and I wish it was

[Cavcraft]

Probably worth sticking a 'wanted' advert on OvalChat, Trig. Even if you get some (vinyl) seats in the wrong colour as long as they're decent condition you could get a Woollies kit and put them to the correct colour.

[warren t claim]

Standard Mk3 seats had notoriously shite webbing and were usually sagging to the floor by about 80k miles.

 

I'd leave the dents as they are, they add character.

 

As an aside, have you thought about contacting Fred Transit about getting some film work for it? I'm sure a Mk3 that looks five or six years old would be in demand for some film companies.

[Guest]

Well thought w.t.c

[warren t claim]

Well thought w.t.c

 

Trig out earning his Equity card. Yesterday.

 

[Guest]

Well thought w.t.c

 

Trig out earning his Equity card. Yesterday.

 

 

If he had an mp3 player in the Cortina that would be his "Croozin Tune"

[trigger]

As an aside, have you thought about contacting Fred Transit about getting some film work for it? I'm sure a Mk3 that looks five or six years old would be in demand for some film companies.

 

That is a thought, The seats might put film companies off though and the work always seems miles away!.

 

That hairy old Cortina advert is great, I remember when i came out how much i wanted home just so i could cruise with a afro, I'm thinking about growing one now so that i look the part but I think I'd end up looking like Leo Sayer though.

 

I would like some original seats, even the tombstone look great but they were fitted to the pre facelift so would look odd in mine, The Alfa seats are really comfy though so i think I'll keep them for now.

 

This evening I've seen a few hours in the garage knocking out the dent, it isn't great by any means but it's not as bad now and best of all i managed to remove the tow bar, That wasn't easy, the bolts were all rusted up and i had to remove the bumper (which is a piece of piss to be fair), It looks miles better now i think.

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[warren t claim]

I'm sure the post 75 Cortina GT came with tombstones, mind you that might put off a potential starring role in a movie! No head restraints FTW in BAFTA circles. Stock seat with seatcovers would be ok though.

[boobydoo]

With a bit of TLC, that car will look the nuts, Trigs. The interior looks in great nick, but those Alfa seats have got to go, mate. Too chavvy.

 

The good thing is if you get a tidy respray done it will add loads to the value of the car. I spent two grand on the Alpine and it's still only worth peanuts!

 

Keep us posted on any developments!