MY CAR:-

My car photographed in 1998. Since then it has gained another two spot lamps. An alternator conversion takes care of the extra electrical load. It has completed a round trip of 2,047 miles involving Land's End to John O'Groats in October 1999.

I built this 1965 Ford Cortina GT (Registration number BEJ 555C) from a body-shell and boxes of bits. Intended to take two years -–it took over seven! It cost £200 to purchase.

In June 1998 it got an M.O.T. without any problem and has been used regularly since then.

The car has the following modifications:

• Modified G.T. 1500cc pre-crossflow motor,
• Geoff Howe H36 camshaft, giving 35. 75. 75. 35 and 0.390 inches of lift,
• Stagg-modified cylinder head, gas-flowed + converted for unleaded petrol,
• Electronic distributor from Fiesta 1.3,
• Anglia flywheel (2 lbs lighter) & G.T. clutch,
• Lucas Alternator + all circuits fused,
• 2000E gearbox, just rebuilt by owner,
• Stainless steel exhaust system,
• MK2 Cortina 10 gallon fuel tank,
• Extra, long range 8 gallon tank fitted,
• Battery mounted in boot,
• Cortina MK1 remote gear change,
• Off-set, floor-mounted handbrake,
• Extra, internal sills,
• Front seats from MK5 Cortina Estate,
• 3-litre Ford Capri "Pepper-pot" wheels,
• Full Harness seat-belts,
• Electric cooling fan,
• Raydyot spot lamps,
• Maseratti Air Horns.

The car is finished in Ford’s official rally colours of "Ford Venetian Red Number 1", with matt-black bonnet and front wing tops.

Click to see my other car, a 1500 Super

This is us out on 1st January 2000. This picture was taken for the Cortina MK1 Owner's Club magazine, where as many Cortinas as possible went out on 1st January. They were then featured in the club magazine.

Thanks are due to the following people, for help during the rebuilding of this car:-

Terry Burville, the sheet-metal-marvel, for help in the body finishing and painting stages, although all the paint imperfections are all mine!

Bryan Moorcroft, of KPU381C fame, for more help than he knows about. (I've taken endless photos of his car which helped me in my restoration).

Cliff Beer, for initially saving the car,

Wyn Evans, for photos, spares, and history,

Dale Stevenson, for spares and advice,

Trevor Rosser, for work on the book,  "Paint Craft",

Brian Lee, for miscellaneous services, including sitting beside me for six days doing Land's End to John O'Groats,

MK1 Cortina Owner's Club for help and spares through the years (including:-

• Mike Jordan,
• Steve Kerr,
• Roger Raisey,
• Malcolm and Jane Rugman

Thanks to you all

Home Page

Click to see my other car, a 1500 Super

Page last updated:- 03 October, 2006