Iconic Classic of the Month: The Ford Cortina Mk III

Welcome to our brand new series, the Iconic Classic of the Month! Each month we’ll be taking a deep dive into a car that’s more than just metal, glass, and rubber. We’re talking about the legends, the cars that defined an era, stole the show, or just have a special place in our hearts. And what better way to kick things off than with a car that’s as much a part of 1970s Britain as space hoppers and power cuts: the Ford Cortina Mk III.

For a whole generation, this was the car. It was the car your dad drove, the car your neighbour polished every Sunday, the car that was absolutely everywhere. It was the undisputed king of the sales charts and the default choice for families and company reps up and down the country. But one TV show, years after the last Cortina rolled off the production line, would give it a whole new lease of life and turn it into a TV icon. So, fire up the kettle, grab a biscuit, and let’s talk about the ‘coke bottle’ Cortina.

A very British icon (with an American accent)

Launched in 1970, the Mk III was a massive gamble for Ford. It replaced the sensible, boxy, but hugely popular Mk II with something that looked like it had just arrived from Detroit. The design, with its swooping ‘coke bottle’ waistline, was pure Americana, a world away from its more conservative predecessors. It was bigger, brasher, and designed to swallow up the market segment previously held by the Ford Corsair, offering engines from a humble 1.3 litre all the way up to a punchy 2.0 litre Pinto.

Despite a rocky start with strikes, suspension issues, and complaints about the interior quality (Ford literally coined the term NVH or Noise, Vibration, and Harshness while trying to sort it out), the public soon fell in love. By 1973, the Mk III was the best selling car in Britain, a title it wouldn’t give up until it was replaced in 1976. It was the right car at the right time, offering a touch of glamour and style that its rivals from Austin and Morris just couldn’t match. Over 1.1 million were sold, making it the backdrop to life in 70s Britain.

“Fire up the Cortina!”

Fast forward to 2006. The BBC airs a new police drama with a twist. DCI Sam Tyler gets hit by a car and wakes up in 1973. It’s a world of kipper ties, brutalist architecture, and some very questionable policing methods. And at the heart of it all is his new boss, DCI Gene Hunt, and his trusty steed: a bronze 1974 Ford Cortina Mk III. The car wasn’t just a prop; it was a character, a four wheeled extension of the Gene Genie himself.

That Cortina, with its black vinyl roof and quad headlights, became an instant star. It was the chariot for Hunt’s brand of rough justice, used for everything from dramatic car chases to leaning on while delivering a classic one liner. The show’s creators picked the perfect car. It was tough, a bit battered, and utterly, unapologetically of its time. For a whole new generation, the Cortina Mk III wasn’t just an old Ford; it was Gene Hunt’s car.

The car behind the myth

Of course, as with any TV star, there was a bit of smoke and mirrors. The car in the show was a bit of a ‘bitsa’, as one of the production crew called it. It was badged as a top of the range GXL, but was actually a 1974 2000E model, fitted with the GXL’s quad headlights and grille to make it look like an earlier model to fit the 1973 setting. The dashboard was from an even later car. But did any of that matter? Not a chance. The spirit of the car was perfect.

Three cars were used in filming: a hero car for the close ups, a stunt car, and the main hybrid 2000E/GXL. The show’s success cemented the Mk III’s place in British pop culture and sent interest in the real cars soaring. One of the screen used cars was even sold for £10,000 for Comic Relief. It proved that a great car never really dies; it just waits for the right role to come along.

Owning a Mk III today

So, you fancy a slice of 70s nostalgia? Getting your hands on a Mk III Cortina is getting harder. Of the 1.1 million sold, only a tiny fraction survive. You can pick up a project for around £1,500, but be warned, they can rust everywhere. Check the sills, wheel arches, boot floor, and front wings very carefully. Good news is that many panels are available, but a full restoration can get very expensive, very quickly.

A good, usable car will set you back between £4,000 and £7,000, while concours examples can fetch over £15,000. The Pinto engines are tough, but look out for camshaft wear caused by poor servicing. The biggest headache for owners are the rear suspension ‘void bushes’, which wear out for fun and ruin the handling. But parts are generally easy to find and there’s a great owners club scene. Find a good one, and you’ve got a practical, stylish classic that will turn heads wherever you go. Just be prepared for everyone to shout “Fire up the Cortina!” at you.