1966 Ford Cortina GT - Cortinas 2 Cortina 2022

[cortinaman]

As requested by peteh1969 here is a thread for my Mk1 Cortina.

Here it is waiting for a ferry in Italy in 2012 but more or less as it looks now:-






and not long after I bought it .

Doesn't seem to have changed much - but in the meantime there was some:-


and some more:-



a bit of:



plus:



Its looking a bit rough round the edges now, so I may have to start collecting panels for a rebuild.

I took it on the Cortinas to Cortina run in 2012 following about a year of welding to get it ready, if there is any interest I can post about both!

[peteh1969]

More More please?

[SmokeEm]

looks proper hardcore on those lotus rims. My old friend Malcolm did the Cortina to Cortina run also (His mk3 Tina was being rebuilt so he bought a mk5 Estate for the trip)

[cortinaman]

May 24, 2018 12:40:38 GMT SmokeEm said:

looks proper hardcore on those lotus rims. My old friend Malcolm did the Cortina to Cortina run also (His mk3 Tina was being rebuilt so he bought a mk5 Estate for the trip)

It wouldn't be the one on the left would it?

[SmokeEm]

it be that one at the back - running revolution 5 spokes IIRC (Blue over silver)

[jonsey]

More please. I've got its younger brother (mk2 16GT 2 door).

[jim]

Nice 2 door! Also good to see another 66 mk1!

[cortinaman]

Hi folks - a sort of non-update really. I found a bit of time this afternoon to take a look at the rather soft brake pedal on the Cortina - jacked it up, squirted WD40 on all the bleed nipples, but the rear nipple (only one on the rear of a mk1) stubbornly refused to undo - the spanner is just rounding it off. Any bright ideas for freeing it off? I thought I ought to get a replacement nipple before getting too agressive with it but without the original its hard to know what thread it is. I'm guessing 3/8 UNF but does anyone know for certain? Sorry no photos as there was nothing to photograph!

cheers Cortinaman

[jonsey]

Tap a socket onto it to get the old one off. Depending on how deep your sockets are you may need to saw the end off

[peteh1969]

I think the best thing would be to get a new wheel cylinder for the drivers side you will get a new bleed nipple and save your self a load of trouble if you snap the original one off, which would mean a new wheel cylinder any way.

[cortinaman]

Jun 24, 2018 16:59:59 GMT jonsey said:

Tap a socket onto it to get the old one off. Depending on how deep your sockets are you may need to saw the end off

Thanks Jonsey - I shall give that a try (when I have a replacement nipple!)

[cortinaman]

Lunchtime car fixing session!



The Cortina has been pressed into daily service as the Volvo threw a cam belt pulley. Today, when I went to head off for a meeting - starter span but didn't engage. Roped in Dan from the office to give me a push start, but no go. So out with the tools (always carry a full tool kit whipped the starter off, cleaned up the Bendix - good as new. Hopefully get the Volvo back this afternoon so the old girl can have a rest!

[cortinaman]

he Cortina has been sitting in the garage since last autumn when it decided not to start - starter just spins without engaging. Last week I had an email from a pal who organised Cortinas to Cortina in 2012, is doing it again in 2022 - so I had best get the car up and running!

First step is to drag it out - charged the battery - loosened the starter and then popped it on again (usually fixes the non-starting) and it fired up after a couple of goes!

Got in touch with the chap who did the welding and paint on my Jag to see if he's still working and he is, and agreed to go and see him so he can see what's going to be involved and what panels I need to buy.

I found there was very little water in the radiator - I hear that modern antifreeze (the pink stuff) isn't good for old cars - is this true? Any recomendations for what to look for in an antifreeze?

So, pulled it out:


and gave it a wash:



and photographed the scraggy bits





























































fortunately the owners club do the panels needed - but it is going to cost a bit.

[jonsey]

Even with the rusty bits, it still looks a cool car. Looking forward to the updates.

[cortinaman]

Mar 22, 2021 17:07:39 GMT jonsey said:

Even with the rusty bits, it still looks a cool car. Looking forward to the updates.

thanks jonsey - be good to get it looking a bit more presentable.

Can't wait to drive some alpine passes again!

[jonsey]

Nice photos. I don’t think I’d trust mine to the Alps and back.

[flyingbeemer]

Hi Cortinaman, nice car u have there, if u r worried about the rust on your car look at this one it is a bit rotten. I just purchased this 62 Fleetmodel LHD 2 Door as I needed a gearbox and the car came with it. Going into storage for an all out Trackday car project as I have a 63 rust free 4 door shell. Enjoy your ride I hope my other project 65 Mk1 4 Door Corina will pass the German TÜV soon. Regards Gavin

[flyingbeemer]

Yes right there are no silles left and not much else from the chassis

[flyingbeemer]

When we picked it up and stopped for fuel on our way back, even the Romanians and Bulgarians who were buying used cars here were shaking their head at the sorry state and said "Why buy that it is even scrap in our country", well if they knew!

[flyingbeemer]

Well what I can say about the car there is not an ounce of filler on the complete car it has had some patches on the front wings.