Trigger's Mk3 Cortina

[Lufthansa-Terminal]

Has it landed mofo as need pics.

[Cavcraft]

Well in Trig. looks really nice and well worth waiting for the right motor to come along. Are the original seats in good nick?

[trigger]

The Cortina has made it home! I'll update the thread in a while!

[wuvvum]

Qualz! We need moar pics.

[Cavcraft]

 

Eat the peach Trigger, eat the peach.

[trigger]

I'm keeping you all in suspenders!, I'm home now and just uploading my photos... 20mins hopefully...

[Lufthansa-Terminal]

  trigger said:

I'm keeping you all in suspenders!,

 

 

[eddyramrod]

Nice one Trig! Welcome to the Miami Blue chapter of Autoshite Fords. Pity I'm so far away, our cars would look well together. I hope it drives as well as it looks.

[trigger]

  wuvvum said:

Qualz! We need moar pics.

 

And pics you can have!

 

What a long day!, I left my house in Ipswich at 8.30am this morning, Dollywobbler pointed out ot me last night that the A14/M1 Catthorpe Interchange was closed this weekend so that decided that my route would be this way.

 

 

Only 3 1/2 hours!, So we dropped the dog off at the inlaws on the way past Colchester, We stopped midway at Beaconsfield Services on the M40, this was the trusty stead for the day (It done nearly 400 miles by the end of the day!)

 

On route to Evesham to collect my new Cortina by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

We saw a few shite cars on the way.

 

1992 BMW 735i SE on the M25 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

1990 Citroen BX 14 RE in the Cotswolds by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Rover Metro by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

1969 Morris 1300 on the A40 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Drove though Stow on the Wold which was very pretty.

 

Stow-on-the-Wold by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Not long now!

 

Stow-on-the-Wold by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

This Transit was amazing, it was just around the corner from the Cotina owners house, I haven't seen a working Mk2 for years.

 

1984 Ford Transit Mk2 Van in Evesham by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

We eventually arrived at the owners house at 12.30pm where we was greeted by the Cortina in the driveway, First impressions was a little disappointing, it has a bit of a donk on the o/s/r 1/4 by the bumper which he failed to point out and the paintwork was very patching, unlike the photo in the advert.

 

I had a look around the car and it was very straight and solid though with no rust that i could see what so ever, Steve the owner and his wife spend a while chatting to us and made us a coffee (No offer a roast dinner though ),He also owns a 2000E and a Crayford Cortina as well, I think the story behind the XL was that a old boy had owned it from 1976 until last year were he was retiring from driving and the car was offered to the MK3 owners club which is where this guy bought it from.

 

Anyway after paying up we went to Morrisons to fill up (£65!)

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL MK3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

and popped to Maccy D's for some grub and a few photos.

 

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

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL MK3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Nice hey!, As you can see the bodywork is acceptable but a bit "worn", It would make a very easy respray as there is no rust at all so I might invest in getting it painted.

 

The interior is very tidy, all the clocks and lights work, even the glovebox light and dash dimmer!, The Alfa Romeo front seats are so comfy but sadly the bloke has painted the rear seat to match the front, It should be a dark blue like the door cards, Something I'll need to look into fixing if i can?

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL MK3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Poor photo but it still has it's dealer sticker on the glovebox and a dealer plate on the slam panel but with a 1975 date on it?

 

I spotted this old boy in this Mini near by, what a stunner!

 

1976 Austin Mini 1275 GT Clubman in Evesham by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

So the long drive home started, One thing i can tell you is that this 2.0 Pinto really flies!, It just kept going!, If you floored it from 50 to 70mph in 4th and just growled at you and flew!, I was really impressed, Less impressive was the brakes, when i braked the car pulled violently to the right which made it hard to drive, i was quite nervous driving home on the motorway as i was worried that if i brake quickly I'd end up in the central reservation!

 

Again i wish the seller had told me about this.

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL MK3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Driving back through Stow on the wold, half the street just stopped to look at the car!

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL MK3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

As i needed a wee stop i pulled over on the A40 to take a couple more photos.

 

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

 

My 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL MK3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

The rest of the journey was quite uneventful, It was just like driving a modern car really but with poor brakes!, I've left it at my dad's now in Colchester as he's going to take it to get garage to get the brakes fixed for me, I can't use it as it is.

 

Jobs for the future, well brakes of course, the exhaust blows slightly and rattles on the transmission tunnel, I'd love to retrim the interior in the dark blue to match the door cards but i guess that won't be cheap and i really need to invest in a respray to make it look fresh again.

 

[HillmanImp]

I was wondering if you were ever going to buy another car. You are a more patient man than me mate. I buy stuff in my sleep.

 

Seriously though, it does look nice. I would be interested to see some more Cortina/Mondeo side be side shots to see the difference in size. And I like the interior. There is nowt wrong with tastefully modding a car so that its actually better.

[eddyramrod]

Sweet! You shouldn't be so surprised about the performance, a 2.0 Mk3 is quite a weapon. I'd certainly have another. Brakes, well that's something else, I don't remember them being bad on my 1972 GT, but having this Granada reminds me how bad they were on my first Granny: bloody awful. Not ideal for Cyprus! I had the two cars at the same time back in 85...

 

I hope this gives you good service, you haven't flagged up any reason for it not to. Best of luck!

[retrogeezer]

I think it looks great as it is, some home repairs just give cars character IMHO. Not too sure on the white tape stripe down the side but that's personal of course.

 

Did you try and haggle over the non disclosure of things?

[ashmicro]

Magic. Very little will see that A1. Cracking stuff.

[M'coli]

This is splendid! Well done, I'm glad you've found one that's decent. I bet it sounds great too!

[trigger]

  retrogeezer said:

Did you try and haggle over the non disclosure of things?

 

I didn't see much point, it's still very cheap for a tidy Mk3, It does come with the original front seats but they are shagged, The Alfa seats are lovely, really comfy but i think they would look better if they were blue.

 

The Philips radio only picks up Radio 4 which made for a long drive home as well but at least it works, It's had a new master cylinder fitted in September so i doubt it's anything major with the brakes, i think the O/S caliper is sticking, It was bad though, a really hang to the left on the steering job whilst braking.

 

This is the only side by side photo i have, it's not great but it gives you a idea.

 

[lancashireclamper]

  Cavette said:

 

Eat the peach Trigger, eat the peach.

 

He's a Luuuuuuuuuuucky koind o Guy!!!

[Spottedlaurel]

Nice one, seems like your patience has paid off. As mentioned on Flickr, I think a bit of work will be covered by the OSF value and it seems like a very useable car which you should have a lot of fun with. 5-speed 'box would be a tempting upgrade though.

[Alexg]

Top work Trigger. That is one cool motor car

[trigger]

I was thinking that myself SL, a grand on a paint job would easily add a grand to the value of the car and more, The 4 speed was surprising good as it happens, It hardly used any fuel on the way home and it was very quiet on the motorway, until you opened it up!, Do these have a twin carb or something?, It certainly feel like a second choke opening up, it reminds me of a Vtec when you open one up!

 

I'll pop up some point in a the next month SL and let you take it for a spin, It might be a few weeks before i get it back from the garage though.

[Cavcraft]

WHOOSH! Seriously nice car that, Trig. Can you not get one of those Woolies leather colouring sets?

 

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/DEFAULT.ASPX

[Spottedlaurel]

  trigger said:

I'll pop up some point in a the next month SL and let you take it for a spin, It might be a few weeks before i get it back from the garage though.

 

Excellent! Laurel's taxed if you want to swap keys

 

Not a bad time of year to have it off the road, better than in the middle of summer.

[wuvvum]

That does look very solid indeed for a Mk3. I look forward to seeing it in the metal at some point. I don't think Mk3 'Tina brakes were ever particularly good, but the pulling to the right is a bit of a worry. I do like the dash though, and the Alfa seats look like they quite suit it.

[trigger]

Cheers SL!

 

  Cavette said:

WHOOSH! Seriously nice car that, Trig. Can you not get one of those Woolies leather colouring sets?

 

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/DEFAULT.ASPX

 

Oh! I'll look into that, can i paint over already painted vinyl though?, The rear seat is still a bit sticky so it's quite fresh?, I do like the fact there's a "Ford XL" badge embroidered over the Alfa Romeo badge on the front seats!

[retrogeezer]

  Quote

I didn't see much point, it's still very cheap for a tidy Mk3,

 

I meant the dents and aerosol paint really mate but as you say, it was good value anyway. Some decent retro seat covers is a top idea.

[trigger]

I'm going to try and knock the dents out hopefully, I also forgot to add, the mileage wasn't 93000, it was in fact only 83000 miles from new and the mot wasn't April but September! All a bonus, I also have the original steel wheels and chrome trims with the car as well.

[Guest]

Looks great to me and worth a bit of time / money / effort Maybe you could advertise for a good standard interior on here - - - - -

 

http://www.buysellcortina.co.uk/forums/

[trigger]

I think I'll keep the Alfa one for now as it looks like it suits it, it's just the colour thats wrong i think, One question though, do these have a windscreen washer?, I couldn't see the jets and i couldn't find the button when i was driving it?

[Guest]

Mine were not as early as yours - is it the pump foot switch near the clutch pedal model. Or a push the stalk towards the steering wheel?

[trigger]

Well the push the stalk towards the steering wheel wasn't happening and i couldn't see a pump switch on the floor? I'll have to have a better look once i get it back from the garage.

[Albert Ross]

Push the end of the stalk inwards.... most Fords are like this.

 

And another thing.... your Stow on the Wold looks remarkably lke Burford... having visied Brize Norton a lot and commuted between Marlborough and Warwick a few years ago...... Might you be mistaken? Or am I?