If only modifying your car was as easy as using a photo editing program on your computer!!
You might gather I loooooove the way 70's muscle cars look and hope to incorporate some of those elements into my Cortina. I think getting that look is the final touch, first I need to sort some of the issues with the bodywork and replace the engine with something more performance orientated - which is just about any engine other than the one currently fitted! In all fairness the little crossflow engine I have is adequate for the time being but for anyone interested in differential ratios; when I say it's got a 4.11:1 axle you will know why I want to start upgrading things to make it better for cruising, especially on a motor way.
The engine bay on a Cortina is huge. The Mk3 came with a variety of engines, from the 1300 crossflow to the 3000 Essex in the Savage, Australia got an in-line 6 crossflow which are popular with tuners and many people have fitted V8's from Rover 3.5's to the Ford and Chevy V8.
Australia is probably the hotbed for these conversions as there are kits available off the shelf to install something like a 308ci Ford V8 from these guys: Castlemaine Rod Shop I know if I had the money I would buy the kit and a Ford V8 but I think a V8 conversion might be a bit of an ambitious project for me at the moment.
Firstly, I have uploaded lots of photos I have obtained from the internet over years, if you recognize them as yours and you would prefer that I didn't use them please just let me know and I will remove them as soon as I can.
OK.
A V8 just looks soooo right in the Cortina engine bay!
Nothing else sounds better than a V8
The other Vee option is to install a V6, such as an Essex (as fitted to the Jeff Uren tuned Savage) but there are also many variations on the Ford Cologne V6 engine, all of them using the same cortina derived engine mounts. Fortunately I actually have these mounts, if you need the part numbers for a similar project they are: RH side = 76TF6030BA LH side = 79TF6031AA
V6 2.8i Capri Engine in a Cortina engine bay.
Ford fitted the Cologne V6 engine in the Mk4 and Mk5 Cortina which was available as a 2.3L (fueled via carburetor) These are the specific mounts I have and they will fit all the Mk3/4/5 models. It's worth pointing out that they are fairly scarce so if you come across a set cheaply enough I suggest you buy them as they are always in demand.
Possibly the easiest V6 install for a wiring novice like me is either a 2.8 Granada engine with carburetor fueling or a 2.8i Capri engine which was fueled via mechanical fuel injection (Mfi), the later 2.8i engines use Efi before Ford started using the 2.9 engine. Furthermore there is the Cosworth 2.9i 24 valve engine often referred to as a BOA or BOB (depending on the version) fitted to the Granada Scorpio V6 which is probably the best choice in terms of performance as it is a genuine Cosworth developed engine and produces impressive horsepower even in standard form. For me there is the issue with wiring up the ECU which despite studying diagrams my brain finds confusing!
More performance can be extracted from the Cologne, there have been commercial kits available for forced induction from recognized tuning specialists such as Turbo Technics but many kits have been developed as part of a home brew turbo installation. While the Ford V8's are renowned for torque delivery and their capacity for performance these (fairly old) V6 engines are still more than capable of producing respectable 1/4 mile times of 10 seconds or under when forced induction is implemented. I've become a fan of Skogen Racing's work.
A well sorted Cologne V6 engined Cortina is an impressive sight. This is a Taunus (Cortina) coupe, you don't see many of these and the rear end on this car has been extensively modified by widening the rear quarters to accommodate larger tyres to maximize grip.
Known as a Taunus to most of Europe and a Cortina in the UK (TC in Australia) Whatever the name Skogen Racing know how to extract performance out of the old V6 and their videos are well worth watching if you are into modified Fords. From approximately 1min 50seconds into the video they show the Taunus, just listen to that Turbocharger spooling up!
The other option is a 2.0 pinto. I already have one of these engines and matching gearbox spare so I think this is the most likely engine I will install. The Pinto is also quite simple to work on and because it was used for a number of years it also spans Carburetor and Efi fueling. Here is a superb home brew Turbo installation by a fellow member of the MTOC The owner was previously only confident servicing his cars until he started getting into modification through the help of other club members, I am sure you will agree his efforts are impressive and it is a regular performer on the strip.
I don't have all the info but as a guess the EFi you see here was probably donated by a sierra with it's 2.0 head as non injection heads are apparently not EFi compatible and I believe the turbo manifold was a Turbo Technics. It's not unusual for people to fit Transit pistons to lower compression so they can opt for higher boost and standalone fuel management.
For running gear on mine I have a 2.3 HD Atlas ready to go kindly supplied by Tim (an MTOC club member and througrally decent guy helping me carry it all the way to my garage) they weigh a ton. This also features powerflex poly void bushes - these normally retail at £60-70 a set! Also thanks to Graham I have a GT 2.0 Atlas axle, so I have a choice of ratios now. The original Koln axle which is installed on the car currently will go into storage when removed as these are not strong enough to cope with extreme performance upgrades. Either of the alternative axles will be used, budget permitting an LSD differential will be installed into the better of the two.
Also another thanks to Graham, because of his generosity I also have a couple of reconditioned brake calipers which will replace my current ones. I'm not too fussed about 4 pots which are very expensive, maybe in a few years. I also have a Servo and Master cylinder which I will install in place of my non servo assist brakes as these brakes do require up-rating with any increase in horsepower.
The Next job would be the handling so I will install some new springs and shocks. Graham supplied front and rear anti roll bars which will go on, my Cortina is an early Mk3 so these were never fitted by Ford.
I don't actually want my Cortina handling like a go-cart, I believe the Mk3 Cortina was never designed to handle like a Lotus Elise and personally I like the 70's wallow you get from the suspension so losing this would be detrimental to the character of the handling. I want additional performance but I don't think I will be competing on a track or strip.
Body and interior.
This is almost the easiest part for me, seeing as there are so many cool looking cars out there to glean inspiration from.
Aussie Ford TC Cortina arch extensions. These are a very cool 70's addition.
Talking about Aussie Fords what about this Mad Max replica Pursuit Special. The original versions used in the film were Ford Falcons but this is a really nice reproduction, the roof spoiler and the arch spats set it off superbly.
These Wheels (Weller 13" up front and 14" rear) and White Lettered Tyres are superb. This GXL is owned by Club member of MTOC Joe.
I found this Gen 1 Camaro on YouTube, I realize it isn't a Ford but this is what I would call Resto Mod and it really looks very clean and subtle, the rear quarters have been flared to emphasize it's shape. The rear spoiler is a masterpiece of design, the shut-lines match up beautifully and the 'ducktail' styling really sets it off.
I spotted this on Car and Classic web site and just thought it was a superb Resto Mod. This is the Taunus shape Cortina for Europe and quite an unusual sight over here. The pin-striping around the blacked out tail section is a really nice touch.
I don't think I've seen an Australian TC or TD that I haven't liked. I think the Aussie's have the whole packaged nailed to a tee, firstly they know how to build performance cars but their styling is also striking.
The best looking car off the production line in the last 20 years, the new Dodge Challenger. On this particular car I really like the twin stripe emphasizing the coke bottle styling.
Another MTOC Member's car, this one has undergone a huge rebuild and has many of the elements I'd like to incorporate into my car, the wheels are fantastic but unfortunately hugely expensive!
These are the wheels I've managed to obtain for my Cortina. They are called WolfRace TurboVecs and they were the must have wheels of the 1970's as they were more expensive than the Slot Mag. I had some slot mags on my previous MK3 and still like them. In an ideal world I'd have a collection of wheels I could swap as they are the quickest way to change the look of a vehicle.
These are the Tyres I intend to buy for the rear wheels in 205/60/R13 size. Fronts will be 175/70/R13 for some contrast in rolling radius. This should give a slightly racked look to the stance of the Cortina which will give it a 70's style.
This is an authentic 1970/80's look, I see Cobra slot mag wheels, side exit exhaust, ducktail spoiler and jacked up rear suspension. I see they have not fitted rear window louvers though, probably a pricey feature even back than. It looks like this was a GXL, an expensive version of the Cortina in it's day, mine is a poverty spec L!
Nothing says 1970's sports car interior like a set of tombstone seats. I also have a set of these seats, again due to the generosity of a forum user on BSC the seats really will be the final touch to my interior. I also have the GT 4 dial cluster to add (oil pressure, fuel level, water temp, amps) and recently acquired a rev counter which I will add once I've done the mechanicals, I think it's a 4 cylinder gauge so it'll need re-calibrating if I use a V6.
If you think I have garish taste in cars just look back a few decades, the extremes of Cortina based styling back in the 70's and 80's was way more adventurous. This Cortina was known as "Satisfaction" it's common to give the vehicle a name, especially when cars are competing in drag racing events so they gain a reputation, I think Satisfaction is awesome! There was a famous Cortina racer knows as "Power not Paint" driven by Mick Rogers, this Cortina was a genuine 10 second quarter mile car and both the car and driver were a very formidable combination on the strip.
Obviously it takes far more dedication than I have to offer to get to the stage where your car and your skill as an enthusiast becomes renowned but these folks are like heroes to me. There are dozens of guys on the club forums who have an infinite amount of experience with these cars and a huge amount of patience for novices like me, so if you are thinking of getting a classic Ford why not give the Cortina Mk3 to 5 a look and find out for yourself how rewarding it is to own one.
