Simon Alexander
Cortina Nights
with the Assembly, Leamington SpaThe Ford Cortina
The Ford Cortina was one of the UK's most popular cars - and it's the inspiration behind the Cortina Nights radio show. It was manufactured from 1962 until 1982, when it was replaced by the Ford Sierra.
Above: A Mark I Ford Cortina
Here are a few facts about this legendary motor:
- The original name for the Ford Cortina was the Ford Consul 325 - however in early 1963 it changed to Ford Cortina.
- The name came from the Italian Skiing resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the Dolomite mountains.
- All Cortina series sold over the million mark, with each successive model proving even more popular than its predecessor.
- The Cortina also raced in rallies - infact Lotus did some sportier editions of the Cortina Mk 1 and Mk 2 which were known as the Lotus Cortina.
