1966 MK1 Cortina Deluxe

[derskine]

Might as well make a thread for this as I just seem to be dumping shots all over The News 24 Thread.

 

Basically this is the first car I bought - but not drove.

I got it 4 years ago when I was 16, I spent my savings on it, the idea was if I had a hobby it would keep me out of trouble (it didn't work).

Anyway, I'd always had a thing for old cars, especially Fords, and actually thought a mk3 Capri was the car I had to have.

I would frequently browse ebay looking for old fords that were close by, and then this honey came up.

 

It had been in a lock up in Edinburgh since 1981, and when the old lady that owned it died, her son in law put it on ebay.

I have a huge pack of history with lots of insurance certificates, mot certificates including work done etc.

 

 

 

 

A 16 year old me was mesmerized by how old and quirky it was once I got it home - though now that I've got a Renault 18 this seems far less quirky.

 

It looked okay on the top, but it wasn't...

 

It didn't run.

The brakes were seized.

Both the clutch and brake pedal went to the floor.

The front shocks were seized.

Most of the places that are now yellow primer on the car were rusty and have been welded.

 

 

I didn't strip the whole car as one as I didn't have anywhere to put all the stuff (I was doing it all in my single garage, which was ho-fucking-rendous).

 

I did however take the brakes off, fitted new cylinders and shoes to the rear, and fitted good used calipers to the front along with new discs. (Excuse shit photography skills etc etc)

 

 

I removed the rear axle to paint it, realising how useful a slide hammer is when removing half shafts.

The rear shocks also had rotten casings so I replaced them after a ridiculous fight with both of the bottom nuts, the clamps on the leaf springs had also burst so I fitted a pair of 1600e springs that were in much better nick than mine.

 

 

I also removed the engine and replaced it with a better one, and at the same time painted the block, changed the clutch, all of the engine gaskets, fitted a new thermostat and water pump, and fitted a later plastic multi blade fan to the engine to aid in cooling over the standard twin blade jobby.

I also replaced the clutch slave cylinder and master cylinder, and finally had a working clutch.

I fitted an alternator (replacing a dynamo) and a fuse box at this point too.

 

(Ignore the rocker cover, I fitted my original one)

 

 

I also removed the fuel tank, filled it with vinegar and left it for a couple of days, I then neutralised with bicarbonate of soda and washed out many times with petrol. It was pretty clean inside after this. I waxoyled the outside of the tank. - The tank actually started leaking recently, but I bodged it up with a pop rivet and some tiger seal and it's okay still.

 

 

 

 

I also fitted poly bushes to the track control arms and the centre steering bar (can't remember what it's called just now), anti roll bar and changed all of the track rod ends but I don't seem to have any pictures of any of this.

 

All of the mechanical stuff didn't take nearly as long as the welding especially as I didn't know how to weld and I had to sort someone elses mess.

I paid a local guy to do it but he made a total mess of it, ruining a lot of the panels I had bought - I thought the only way for it to be right is if I do it myself.

I spent most nights after college in my garage welding pieces of metal together with my second hand ebay welder.

Eventually I plucked up the courage to sort a bit of rust on the sill, and after a few attempts (having to cut it out and start again) I got there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a fair bit of welding to do underneath but the floor was perfect, it was mainly chassis welding, once I had got that all out of the way I moved onto the front panel which I was dreading.

 

 

 

It turned out okay though.

 

 

I've not really done anything to the interior apart from put a modern stereo on the parcel shelf.

 

 

The peace sign has been on there since at least 1981 so it's staying put.

 

I got hold of a set of revolution 4 spokes, fitted them and lowered the front 2" - I know this is autoshite and this is probably frowned upon but I think it looks far better for it.

 

As it stands today -

 

 

 

 

Not bad I think considering I used the boot as a table to paint everything and stacked car parts on top of it.

[vulgalour]

I assumed you were much older, I'm sure I am not alone in this assumption.  Nice to see a thread on this car, looking forward to reading more of your escapades in the future.

[derskine]

I assumed you were much older, I'm sure I am not alone in this assumption.  Nice to see a thread on this car, looking forward to reading more of your escapades in the future.

 

Nope, big two zero, I'll keep this updated with anything I do.

[Lord Sterling]

Looks like a very interesting and worthwhile project. I also assumed you were older. I wish I had the money and courage to buy a car at 16 or even 20.

[Minimad5]

Great thread. What are your plans for this ?

Keep the updates and pictures coming.

[derskine]

To be honest I don't have the money either, it was a real struggle to pay the Ford scene taxes for all the bits.

But since it's not my only car it's not a problem for it to sit in the garage until I can afford the bits.

 

I'm planning to make the car a little quicker by fitting a GT cam, carb and exhaust but other than that probably not a lot.

I might get round to painting it at one time.

[Minimad5]

I know autoshite Isn't normally the place for modifications, but would fitting a Zetec be more cost affective ?

Only ask, as I have a mate who has spent quite a few grand getting his crossflow to 170 Bhp, yet for half of that a Zetec could have done the a tad more.

[derskine]

I'm not interested in massive performance with this, it's not something I want to drive too fast as I care too much about it, but a little better pick up would be good.

I'm also faithful to the old school engines, plus I couldn't afford everything needed for a zetec conversion at this stage with having a couple of other projects.

[mercrocker]

Good stuff, I am very approving of this whole caper!    Keep it the way it is, I reckon.   Even the peace sticker.   Personally I like the wheels, especially with the paint job.  This is how Corties looked when they were still being enjoyed every day instead of being used as pensions.

[eddyramrod]

Agreed, it's pure 1977.  I love it!

[Sudsprint]

Yep I agree - the wheels look great but an engine swap would be a shame.

[londonm]

Keep it as original as possible, these are getting rare and valuable.

[Minimad5]

I'm not interested in massive performance with this, it's not something I want to drive too fast as I care too much about it, but a little better pick up would be good.

I'm also faithful to the old school engines, plus I couldn't afford everything needed for a zetec conversion at this stage with having a couple of other projects.

Good plan that man

[scruff]

Well done that man, a car is for enjoying and using.

[danthecapriman]

What a car! And fair play to you doing it at 20, most of the 20 year olds I know are more interested in pissing about on their i phones and not messing around with old motors. They really don't know what their missing!

 

I would leave it as is though, don't ruin it with a modern engine. Yes it will make it quicker but old cars with modern engines just lose a bit of that classic, old feel IMHO, and surely that's all part of the appeal of having old stuff?

 

Btw I did more or less exactly what your doing, I went out and bought a mk2 Capri when I was 16! I've still got it now! Although the 'scene tax' bollocks wasn't such an issue at the time!

Keep it up, and more pics!

[derskine]

What a car! And fair play to you doing it at 20, most of the 20 year olds I know are more interested in pissing about on their i phones and not messing around with old motors. They really don't know what their missing!

 

I would leave it as is though, don't ruin it with a modern engine. Yes it will make it quicker but old cars with modern engines just lose a bit of that classic, old feel IMHO, and surely that's all part of the appeal of having old stuff?

 

Btw I did more or less exactly what your doing, I went out and bought a mk2 Capri when I was 16! I've still got it now! Although the 'scene tax' bollocks wasn't such an issue at the time!

Keep it up, and more pics!

 

That's pretty spot on, the old engines are loud, smelly and slow but that's why I like them.

I don't have any plans to sell mine, I gather you might think the same way about yours!

 

It only gets used at weekends at the moment as I'm yet to have full confidence that it will get me to work without having some issues.

[DSdriver]

Great car, great story... and I love the current colour scheme and wheels.

Luv a  bit of Patinahhh on a Cortinahhh

[derskine]

Today I ran out of fuel, across from the petrol station!

Here I'm extending the life of my starter motor by slapping some petrol in the float bowl.

 

[HillmanImp]

GR12 stuff. 

 

Is that yellow stuff paint or primer? I was only told a few years back that primer was porous (makes sense really) so can't be left. Sure it fine but thought it might be worth mentioning. 

[Uncle Jimmy]

Nice one, pleased to see younger folks mucking with old cars. By the time you're 40 you should be an automotive genius. I had zero interest in cars until 35 but I'm motor mad now.

[derskine]

Cheers chaps - I heard that too Imp, I've lacquered all the primer but if I'm honest it never gets driven in the rain.

[babydriver]

Absolutly wonderful, when I was 20, me mam had one she bought for £150, which I cut open bean cans and covered in filler for the 2 front wings, I absolutely love these cars and would sell my first born for one in any condition, just so I can sit and reminiss, my uncle used to have a plum coloured one which he used to auto cross in the 70's, I remember him trailoring it behind his Rover p5b and the winter tyres he used on it. Oh happy days.

[eddyramrod]

The first car I ever drove, when it was 10 years old and I was 15, was a facelift mk1 Cortina 1500 Super.  I therefore totally approve the preservation of this one, in whatever state you can.  As it is now, it does bring back a heck of a rush of memories!

 

JEV 463C was a two-door with column shift!  Goodwood Green with pale green interior featuring a split-back bench seat.  It's possible I may have a photo of it, buried in my lockup somewhere; if so it'll be b&w.

[Taff]

I hated you until you said this

 

 

  I bodged it up with a pop rivet and some tiger seal and it's okay still.  

 

 

seriously, I love those old tincorners and I especially love those pre-Xflow motors, revvy as hell. As someone who bum raped a number of 'tinas in order to put the engine into an Anglia, you have my permission to punch me in the mouth should our paths ever cross.

 

Lovely car

[derskine]

 

Went to a car meet last night with FOAD, there was a huge amount of chavved out modern rubbish but there were a couple of older cars.

[danthecapriman]

Lookin good!

 

Its good you went and showed the chavs what a real car is!

[tooSavvy]

...Hmmm

 

I have not got a piccie of me in my IMP, with the same 'In the Moment!' look.... but I felt like that when I drove mine to a Crapi Club meet [don't ask] and ffinn DEAFENED them with my 998cc/Smallbore/Fiat Abarth box = 'Raddabrumpp, Raddabrumpp, Raddabrumpp' R20 cam.... 

 

 

You just DO ITT!! m8

 

 

TS

[Shep Shepherd]

I would have loved to have had a project car like that when I was 20. Alas, I didn't have the skills, time or confidence back then (and probably still don't, in fairness).

[Skizzer]

I've raved about this car before on the News thread so it's great that you've given it its own thread.

 

I'm often a bit ho hum about rimz and lowering but this just looks so right, like Mercrocker and EddyRR said.  Brilliant.

[Asimo]

That rocker cover, Throbnozzle Racing, made I larf!

 

Then I googled it and find they are for real.

 

If ever a car was a keeper, that is.

 

I only drove one once, a blue two door with (the seller pointed out) the coveted strut tower / firewall braces. It had twin SUs (odd mod on a Ford) and very wide banded steel wheels which possibly caused the terrible wheel wobble. It could have been mine for £150.

 

Bought a Minor instead. Ho Hum.