Ford Cortina Mark III (Mk3)
Everything is cycled in this world: seasons, fashion, music, clothes and, of course, cars. With the current obsession with the 1970s, Ford Cortina Mark 3 becomes one of the pearls of this period.
It was introduced in 1970 at the Earl Court Motor Show. It was the new model of a famous Ford Cortina, a family motor that was really popular for a decade. The style was renewed to a more comfort and glamorous, making Ford Cortina Mark 3 with its distinctive coke-bottle-shaped curves, the strongest competitor to Japanese imports to the country. This model was very popular in Europe; the mass production of Mk3 under the ‘Taunus’ moniker was carried out in then West Germany.
The model was available in 35 variations, from the old-school 1300 to trendy and glamorous 2000GXL with a stylish obligatory vinyl roof. Though all models were very popular, the best-selling was exactly the 1300 model. After the road test, it was described as a ‘sheep in wolf’s clothing’. The 2000GXL model was equipped with beloved by Ford 2.0 liter OHC ‘Pinto’ engine, nearly twice as quick to accelerate to 60mph.
Ford Cortina Mark 3 was an easy-to-drive model with a lot of space creating a ‘Big Car’ feel. Actually, this exact feel was the reason it unpopularity in motorsport. The only time it was used to prove its motoring powers was a Jackie Stewart’s popular ‘Formula Finesse’ competition with the only goal not to lose a ball in a container on the bonnet of the car.
Nevertheless, the Mk3 Cortina soon became the most popular can in Britain and a real superstar in many other countries. Various Cortina lookalikes with the basic shape but various engines appeared in Australia, South Africa, and Europe. The pick of its popularity is the introduction of the 2000E model in 1973 and previous ‘Cortina Savage’ in 1972. Today this car is known as a pearl of the 1970s motoring culture.
25 Comments
I have a quantity of new and used Mk3 Cortina parts which I want to get rid of. Can you help? Send me an email address, and I’ll send you the list.
Hi Colin
Please send the list if you still have the parts.
brown.stanton@gmail.com
Hi, could you also send me the list if you still have it please. harrydickens97@gmail.com
Hi if you still have any can you send me the list please Colin Salmon grandadfish@mail.com
Tail light both and front indicators both.
0026772501803
Hi have you still got the parts
Robert.beckford@gmail.com
I have a mk3 1600 XL and i would be interested in the parts you have.
motorite@uahoo,com
Also not mentioned in this article. South Africa, they produced a GT 3.0 – Big Six.
I’m busy educating myself on the ford cortina and finding it difficult to get information on the South African Versions.
I have a MK3 3.0 V6 XLE “The Big Six” Standard from South Africa and i cant find anything about this model?
All I know is that it was made in Dagenham and shipped to SA. This model was not for the UK.
If you have any info or any contacts please can you come back to me?
Thanks
Hi..please assist if pissible..i need indicator lenses for my 1971 cortina mk 3.
Your assistance is appreciated
Alan
Looking for a pair of a post repair panels for mk 5 anybody help
Hi, please assist,if possible, i need a brake master cylinder no. 64679155 for
an spartan convertible/cortina mk 3 1979 1993 cc.Thank you for any advice!
hi every one can you help i need both side front floor pan’s Dennis Zampino
densul61@gmail.com
Hi I am an Aussie and reaching out world wide for any one that can help in giving me measurements of the mk3 coupe doors as we never got the coupe here but I believe the roof line and size is the same so I want to convert My 4 door to a coupe pls help
Regards
Rob
sorry its for a cortina mk3 estate Dennis Zampino
Hi
I Have 3 original Cortina Mk3 Mk4 MK5 Dashboards with clocks that I want to sell. They have the wooden front. How much are they worth? Can anyone help?
I have the following parts from a Cortina MkIII 2L. If anybody needs them I’m happy to give them away.
Weber dual barrel carburettor (used until 1987), and the following new parts (bought in 1987 and never used) for the carburettor:
Water chamber, Ford Finis code 1495548
Float needle, Ford Finis code 6103729
Gasket kit, Ford Finis code 1502361
Haynes Manual – Ford Cortina III, 1970 to 1976 all models, 1600 and 2000
Clearing out attic found these, interested?
Mail me [red_cam@yahoo.com] will supply pic’s.
Throttle cable Mark 3/4
Clutch cable Marl 3/4
Oil pressure gauge + cable + fitting
Lucas spotlight x2
Weber twin carb
Wow! Thank you! I always needed to write on my blog something like that. Can I implement a fragment of your post to my blog?
Hi, I am selling an original genuine Ford Cortina Mark 3 Gold Pin Stripe Double Line Tape. I used to own a brown Cortina Mark 3 with the gold pinstripes down the sides, and kept this spare gold tape in case I needed it. The roll is 5.35 metres long, and includes the two front-end and two back-end finishers. It’s for sale on eBay.
Hi everyone. I’m not an owner of one but I need a steering lock complete for (I believe) a MK3. There’s one on Ebay but it’s the wrong one despite it being advertised as a Mk3. It’s for a hotrod I bought last year which uses MK3 steering and suspension. Any ideas please?
Bill
Hi everyone .My Name Is Gary i work at Car Craft in Cambridge
im looking for a type 9 mk 3 cortina gearbox 1600 ohv engine or a 2nd gear syncro hub and sleeve. My phone number is 01223 351038
Thanks
Hi, i have some MK 3 cortina body parts i am looking to sell. For more info please call Mark 07903460691
Many years ago, I bought an almost new facelift 1976 MK3 2 door. Looked after very well and ziebarted from new.
I owned her for over 20 years and sold only due to losing my home. A beautiful green metallic colour and was so broken hearted. Zero rust ….DVLA won’t pass my details on as I know the car still exists, my dream was to try to buy her back.
So…..
Recently bought another facelift 2 door.but this need tons of work and was also originally green. It’s been standing for over 30 years.
It will take some time, but I will restore her to look like tha car I once had. No quick repray here..it will be a quality strip and rebuild.
I’ve done a few cars being a qualified aeronautical engineer and currently run a powerful Americna Hot Rod. It’s what I do …
Selling my near mint MK2 LWB Transit ex ambulance to fund this 🙂