The Ford Cortina

A concise, illustrated history of the classic British car.

The Ford Cortina was launched in 1962, it was made for twenty years and sold well over four million.When launched in 1962, the Ford Cortina was an entirely new type of British car. Compared with its rivals - and with earlier Fords - it was light yet strong, inexpensive yet roomy, mechanically simple and cheap to maintain. It quickly established a totally new class of car. Once it was seen to be a success, there was a rush to emulate it. More than a million of the original-style cars were made, and after twenty years well over four million had been produced. There were saloons, estate cars, sporty models, and even special machines ready for motor racing - something for everyone, everywhere.