Ford Cortina GT MK1 1963

There are more pictures of this car at our direct website. approximately 50 pictures can be found there.

General

This car is probably the best car I have had in our garage for restoration & attention to detail that we have had. The restoration is breathtaking. Restored by professional body shop Mike Dearing who specialises in Restoring Bentley's for the rich & famous. One car a year he doe's for himself. & to the same standard as the £100. 00 + Bentley's. This car is no exception & would have a price tag of 3 figures if you had booked it in to Mike's workshop to be restored as a job.

Featured in Nov 2012's edition of Classic Ford in a 3 page spread

Exterior body

The complete shell was shot blasted in every nook and cranny. For a car of 1963 he was amazed of the condition of the shell.

The only welding need was around the front side lights and he replaced both strut tops. even thought they was not rotten.

The shell went under a complete realignment getting the panels to the best possible fit. He prides himself for totally flat and equal shut gaps which this has.

It was then painted in the original ford Goodwood Green. All the chrome was sent to Derby plating.

Every other parts were renewed where possible.

The front quarter bumpers were made by himself and are the best fit you will every find on any cortina.

The number plates are the original Ace plates it would of had from new that he refurbished.

All badges were replaced and fitted as would be from factory.

Interior

As he had no interior and most of it was missing he purchased a donor car for most of the parts.

The seats were converted from a standard 1500 to 1500GT spec seats with support fitted in the sides as they were from factory.

The seat frames front and rear were completely stripped / shot blasted and repainted.

They where then covered in the finest leather upholstery in two tone Green & Black.

4 new door cards were made and trimmed in leather to match the seats. Even the parcel shelf is leather. everything is leather.

The Gadges were reconditioned and all work as they should.

The Pod was polished along with the aluminium trim.

The center consol was beyond repair so he made his own as seen in pics.

He fitted a complete new white roof lining and trimmed side panels in matching material.

The seat belts were re-webed and mechanisms survived.

Floors were sound deadened and painted body colour.

A new Back set was made with Green edging to complacent the seats

All rubbers and seals were replaced with new items.

Boot

The boot was fully covered in sound deadening pads and painted body colour.

He made new panels for the boot sides and a new floor trimmed completely in carpet including spare wheel cover.

Engine Bay

When he received the car the engine that came with it the previous owner claimed to be rebuilt.

So he set about stripping it down to find out exactly what had been done.

It turned out more the fact what hadn't been done!!!!

Everything was new.

Cank. Rods & pistons. Camshaft. everything.

When he took it apart he noticed the pistons were very different than he had ever seen. After about 2 days searching on the net he came up with nothing.

So he rung Burton up which informed him the pistons fitted were a make that had been discontinued for a number of years. but they said they are the best money can buy.

After a long discussion with them about what was fitted to the engine they said it couldn't be any better.

The head had been skimmed and reworked with new bigger valves and new seats.

The engine came with an inlet manifold but the carb had seen better days. so he decided to go for two twin forty carbs.

It has a full stainless steel exhaust fitted with stainless 4 branch manifold.

Once completed the car was taken to a local rolling road to set the carbs up bang on.

it produced 98bhp on the day.

Wheels / suspension

The wheels were replaced for some wide Lotus Cortina rims

These were then wrapped in toyo tyres. it handles absolutely great and the drive is nice.

It has new dampers all round and brakes. being disk brake at the front.

The complete car has been poly bushed.

Underside

With the underside being shot blasted it was treated to zinc based primer for added long term protection.

It was then painted in satin black.

Wax oiled inside of the chassis and in any tight corners.

All running gear was rebuilt with new bearings etc and painted gloss black.

There is no shultz or underseal anywhere.

As you may of noticed this car has wanted for nothing. and you will be hard done by to find one to this standard.

Since it was completed in 2011 it has covered around 600 DRY miles.

This must be seen to appreciate how nice it is.

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