In the U.S., there are quite a few Blue Oval models that we don’t come across very often, many of which were sold only in other global markets. That’s certainly true of the Ford Cortina, which is a common sight in Europe – and specifically, the UK, where it was a best-seller  for a number of years. Regardless, we’ve seen a couple of Cortinas pop up in the U.S. in recent years, including a rare 1967 Lotus MKII model, as well as another ’67 sporting Focus SVT power. Now, this 1968 Ford Cortina 1600 GT MKII has surfaced for sale on Bring a Trailer, giving American enthusiasts a chance to own one themselves.
This particular 1968 Ford Cortina 1600 GT MKII is a left-hand drive model with unknown mileage, though it has received a bit of an update recently. That work included a fresh metallic green paint job, along with Alfa Romeo-style side mirrors and roof-mounted cross bars, which perfectly complement the car’s shiny chrome trim and classic 13-inch Performance Wheels Australia Superlite wheels and 185/70 Advanta ER-700 tires.
The same goes for the interior, where the original seats were recovered in black vinyl, while both the headliner and carpeting were replaced. Outside of the presence of a Pioneer cassette stereo, the cabin is pretty much otherwise original, complete with a vintage three-spoke steering wheel and a tall shifter to make rowing through the gears a bit easier.
Under the hood, this vintage Cortina is powered by a tidy-looking 1,600cc powerplant that was originally rated to produce a mere 93 horsepower. That flows to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission and a 3.90-geared rear end. It may not sound like much, but these cars are also incredibly lightweight compared to newer vehicles, so they’re quite fun to drive, regardless. Those that appreciate these tiny classics certainly won’t find many nicer ones for sale in the U.S., either, making this a rather enticing opportunity.
We’ll have more cool auction finds to share soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Cortina news and ongoing Ford news coverage.
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