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1971 Ford Cortina 2000 GXL

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£7,738

  • Mileage~54,787
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine2.0L
  • LocationLincoln

SOLD

1971 Ford Cortina 2000 GXL

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Introduction

Glyn Parry
Professional Consigner

As a perfect slice of British '70s nostalgia, it doesn't get much better than a MK3 Cortina.

Originally released in 1962, the Cortina soon became something of an institution, described as a car for the everyman. Sold on the virtues of versatility, equipment and reliability, all of which made it the best selling car of the '70s, but what made the car is runaway success is also due to the clever marketing. Ford placed emphasis on trim levels to help the customer to choose a unique custom specification, not only to help you stand apart from your neighbour but to firm up your social standing in your street. Turn up in brand-new top-spec Cortina, and watch the neighbour curtains twitch. By the late 70’s it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that there was a Cortina on every street corner in the UK.

Launched in 1970, the MK3 Cortina was influenced by the cars Ford was building in Detroit, echoing an emphasis on comfort rather than sporting ability. Sold with three engines, the big news was the new top of the range 2-litre GXL (Grand Xtra Luxury). Identifiably by its twin headlamps, vinyl roof, high-back front seats, extra external trim and additional equipment, the car soon became a sign of middle management and rising status.

This well preserved and original 2000 GXL is an early version of the MK3, having been first registered in late 1971 in Oxfordshire. This car has documented evidence to suggest it has spent much of its life in good hands, with the low mileage correlating with its original service book. It comes as a complete and solid car considered a rolling restoration which deserves to be sympathetically restored back to its former glory.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Glyn after meeting Barry the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

This example is complete and would make the perfect restoration for a Ford fanatic.

Barry has fond memories of the Cortina from his younger days and came across a low mileage Scottish show car being sold by an enthusiast in 2005. After bringing down south to the East Coast, he used it as a weekend and show car for several years before laying it up in storage. During this time he has replaced the sills and replaced the tyres, as well as kept on top of its running costs.

However, in recent years other priorities have taken over and as time catches up with him, he has decided to place the car on the market. He says it should be treated as a rolling restoration, as there are areas that will need renewal, but the solid chassis and positive presentation of the car, along with its documented history and low mileage means that it could be a perfect rolling restoration for a Ford enthusiast.

Barry
Vehicle Owner

Barry saved £1,260* when they
sold their Ford with us.

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Exterior

The Cortina handsome and purposeful styling is highly evocative. Guaranteed to start a conversation.

Wheels and Tyres

The Rotalla tyres are in excellent condition, and look like they have not covered many miles. The Rostyle wheels are also in excellent condition and look like they have been subject to a complete overhaul. Take a look at the photo and video review to see the detail. [UPDATE] Barry has found the missing centre caps for the wheels, and they will be provided with the sale.

Bodywork

The first impressions are positive, it is overall a solid base with a good floorplan and a good panel fit. However, there are several instances of rust that Barry flagged. The two main areas to be aware of are the roof and the front valance. With the vinyl roof you don't see the corrosion initially, but there is evidence on the bottom base of the C-pillar vinyl and top of the A-pillars.

There are other areas across the car including the top of the rear wheel well, the fuel filler neck in the boot and area all around the windscreen including the scuttle. Some parts where the chrome trim meets the body, such as the door tops and rear arch show come corrosion too, and you'll notice surface rust include the insides of all doors and around the spare wheel well.

While this all sounds terminal, the car is being listed as a solid base for restoration and would certainly appeal to those who know their MK3 Cortinas. It is highly recommended that you view Glyn's excellent video analysis.

Paint

Finished in a lovely shade of green, the car really looks the part and attracts a lot of attention.

The paint finish is generally good, with decent coverage although there are signs of ageing and flatness as you'd expect on a car this age. When we photographed the bonnet, we noticed it has micro-blisters so it would benefit a strip-down and respray. Take a look at the photo gallery for an extensive view.

Glass and Trim

The trim is pretty much complete, which is important for a GXL model which is heavily reliant on trim and embellishments. Just a couple of missing pieces, such as a C-pillar badge we noticed [UPDATE] Barry has found the missing GXL badge as pictured, and it will be provided with the sale. The glass is in reasonable condition, with no significant scratches or cracks. The bumpers have minor pitting, which we think could polish out.

Interior

In GXL trim, the Cortina's interior is striking and in remarkably good condition.

Seats and Carpets

The seats are in remarkably good condition, which may have seen some level of restoration in the past but correlates with the low mileage. There are no major tears or rips on all seat, the rear seats are virtually unmarked.

Included in the sale are new carpets for the car, along with the headlining too. The fitted carpets are looking a little tired, but considering the age of the car, do not show any major damage and are complete.

Dashboard

A very period piece that will thrill fans of retro furnishings. The overall condition of the dashboard is good, but obviously has worn, as to be expected for a 50-year-old mass-produced car.

The dashboard is complete but will need some level of renovation, as some of the dials are not working. The car has been standing for a period, so as result some of the fittings, such as the door card and top of the dashboard have worked loose. Some of the plastic trim items also show signs of wear but again it's all complete. The headlining is mostly intact, with a small tear above the passenger seat and the expected signs of ageing due to inactivity and age. The car has rear parcel shelf speakers but will need a radio/stereo if you want to cruise with T-Rex.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel looks completely original and therefore is reflective of a 50-year-old car. That said, it's worn its years reasonably well, and has a bit of an American vibe to it we think. The gearstick reflects a similar story in condition.

Mechanics

Well-proven durability and ease of maintenance make it a DIY classic car pleasure.

Engine and Gearbox

The Pinto OHC 2-litre engine fired up without drama, although the owner fettled with the idle. Once running the engine sounded in decent order, with no knocking or nasty noises. The engine and gearbox have a reputation for being reliable and being a Ford, easy to work on with excellent parts availability. The engine show signs of oil seepage, but is in good working order. The engine bay is in good condition, with no structural issues.

Suspension and Brakes

The brakes show signs of inactivity and have collected surface rust, but they appear to be in a renewable state. The suspension components look to be in decent condition but for a car that has been standing for a period, they will need a proper investigation before the car hits the road again.

The Drive

The appeal of the Cortina revolves around nostalgia and a reflection of an era when cars placed you in the pecking order. To roll up in a 2000 GXL Cortina in 1971, gives you bragging rights above the 1600 XL models. They were never designed to thrill or excite, but heads will still turn and someone will have a story to tell you about a Cortina every time you use the car. The MK3 Cortina has become quite sought after, and this car with a decent base, all that period paperwork and low miles offer a unique opportunity to obtain a slice of social history.

Electrics and Other

The car has been in storage, so we cannot vouch for the full operation of the electrics, but these cars have excellent parts availability with many specialists out there to help.

[UPDATE] Barry has fitted a new battery that comes with a 3 year warranty. In addition to this, he has found a period radio as pictured in the photo gallery that will be provided with the sale, he can't confirm it is working though.

History and Paperwork

How many other MK3 Cortinas still come with their original service books?

A fascinating look at the original service book supports a good reason why this car should be restored to its former glory. It was bought at the Talbot Garage in Henley in November 1971, by the first owner who appears to have kept the car for at least the first 10 years of its life. The service stamps are present to 1982. This helps to correspond with the low mileage, which appears to be genuine and correlates with the car only having 4 owners. The car was presumably passed to two more owners, who felt duty-bound to keep the car in good order before it ended up in Scotland. It appears to have been in a good enough condition to be displayed at various shows at this point. It was purchased by its current owner in 2005, who brought the car to the East Coast and has carried out several jobs on the car, which includes replacement sills, as well as maintaining the car.

Included in the sale are a new set of carpets and also headlining for the interior of the car.

We've carried out checks on the following; Seller ID, V5, HPi clear.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
10-05-2017 MOT 54,771
27-03-2009 MOT 54,378
07-03-2008 MOT 54,150
30-03-2007 MOT 53,548
01-04-2006 MOT 52,297
04-06-1982 Service 34,702
01-08-1978 Service 30,561
08-04-1976 Service 19,742
15-11-1974 Service 14,677
27-09-1973 Service 9,098
26-09-1972 Service 3,000
Key Details
  • ModelCortina 2000 GXL
  • TransmissionManual
  • Reg. Date1971
  • CC1993
  • Mileage~54,787
  • HistorySome
  • ColourGreen
  • Interior ColourTan
  • Chassis #BABFLU24523
  • MOT10-05-2017
  • MOT ExemptYes
  • Road Tax ExemptYes
  • Former Keepers4
  • Tyre BrandRotalla
  • Tyre Age2016
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~15 years
  • Key FeatureRolling resto in complete condition







Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions
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paulmcc
Member
paulmcc

Bid 7500 on car last 2 minutes but bid would not register had already bid

Adam - Trade Classics
Admin

Hey Paul, that’s a shame. But £7,500 wouldn’t have been accepted as the min bid increment is £200. So the bid has to be £7,501 or higher – this would have been shown in the red error message after placing your bid. Cheers Adam

Kulraj Salh
Admin

Update – Barry has found some extra bits for the car, we have added pictures of these to the History section; https://www.tradeclassics.com/auctions/ford/1971-ford-cortina-2000-gxl/#gallery5-36

These are as follows;

– GXL exterior trim that is missing in the photos
– Wheel centre caps that were missing in the photos
– A period radio, although he can’t confirm it is working
– A new battery that comes with a 3 year warranty

Best,

Kulraj – Trade Classics

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Vehicle Location

Lincoln

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