THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE...

From its debut in 1962, the Cortina went on to be a massive success for Ford – and would top the UK sales chart for most of its life. Paul Guinness looks at the secrets behind its success

When Ford took the wraps off its eagerly awaited Consul Cortina in September 1962, the company proudly hailed its vital newcomer as ‘the missing model’ – the car that filled the gap between the small-car class and the relatively expensive medium saloons. And while that might sound like a slight exaggeration, it wasn’t far from the truth – particularly within the Ford range, which had only the seriously unpopular Consul Classic to bridge the hole between the Anglia 105E and the new-for-1962 Mk III Zephyr 4.

Interestingly, BMC also saw a gap in its own range, with the Mini, Austin A40 and Morris Minor on the bottom rungs of the corporate ladder, leaving a gap between those and the A60-based ‘family Farina’ range. And yet BMC’s approach to filling the gap couldn’t have been more different from the Blue Oval’s.
BMC’s solution of 1962 was the Morris 1100, a compact front-wheel drive saloon with transverse engine and Hydrolastic suspension. And Ford? It went for a rear-drive saloon with MacPherson struts up front. The contrast couldn’t have been greater – and while BMC’s 1100 range expanded rapidly through badge-engineering, Ford focused on offering a simple range and a no-nonsense approach.

It was a philosophy that worked particularly well among company car buyers and high-mileage motorists, who appreciated the Cortina’s simplicity. And they also appreciated the fact that it came with a roomy interior, a big boot and a thoroughly competent and likeable driving style.

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