1979 Roman Bronze Mk4 Ghia

[mk4savage 50]

Hi Guys,

 

Thought it was about time I posted some info about my Mk4,Some of you will know it as a regular at symonds yat.

 

It's a 79 2.3 ghia Auto,3 Previous keepers Currently running a 2.8 Auto(a bit more on that later), One of my many mistakes in my younger days removing the original 2.3 but what can I do ?

 

I've owned it since September 1998. I had a Mk2 Granada at the time, previously I owned a 1.6 GL Mk4 which I modified a bit, I (seriously) regrettably sold that and although the Granada was nice I always wanted another Mk4 Cortina then while on Holiday in Somerset I got the october 98 edition of Classic Ford from the newsagents and there it was in the Classifieds, the only snag was it was in St Austell in cornwall

 

Anyway, I gave the chap a ring who was selling it and he said he had still got it and went on to tell me a few things about it. It sounded really good but I could only take his word for it as the picture in the mag was small so I couldn't really see much but I decided to go and have a look. Me and the wife set off in the Granada with an envelope full of money fresh from the bank, just in case it was any good and the car was taxed and mot'd so that was a bonus and could be driven away.

 

A few hours later we got to St Austell and found the right house in a village called St Stephen but no sign of the car yet. The owner, Mike his name was, lead me across the road to a small car park and there it was. As soon as I saw it I knew I was buying it before I even got near it. To me it was the best Cortina I had seen at that time but I know better now :lol:

 

The interior was immaculate, the bodywork had seen a few small repairs that weren't brilliantly done but I saw through that. The other thing that sticks out in my mind was under the bonnet seemed a bit scruffy and it still is today, one of those jobs I need to do. I went for a test drive and found that there were no brakes at the rear and I could hear metal to metal contact :lol: It didn't matter though I just wanted to get it home. Over a cup of tea the deal was done and we were on our way, I told the wife to be careful as the brakes weren't that good so She stayed close behind my Granada in case they stopped working altogether. It was a bit hair raising for her to say the least!

 

Anyway, We got it back safe to the Midlands without damaging it so I sorted the brakes on it but shortly after the water pump packed up then the radiator started leaking but other than that it was ok.

 

Bonus photo. This is the advert from the Classic Ford Magazine

 

 

Heres a few photo's of it, these next few are the earliest ones I have of it.

 

This first one is a couple of days after I bought it, September 1998.

 

 

 

This one, sometime October 1998 having repaired the brakes, water pump and Radiator.

 

 

 

 

These next ones are from 1999,  I'd lowered it by 2 inches and fitted those Capri wheels which Ironically came from my old GL which I'd sold 2 years previously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometime later on in 1999. I saw the error of my ways, Got rid of the 4 spokes and re fitted the steels.

 

 

 

 

These next few are from 2001, I had a repaint done and replaced a few panels, Wings, valance, upper front panel and rear arches,I don't know about you but I think the colour is a bit darker than original ?? Probably hard to tell from the photo's. Eagle eyes will notice a dodgy rear box which I had fitted. One of those Powerflow things that are made on the car, Never liked it at all and sounded rubbish. My mates fault as he had a MK5 at the time with one on so seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

I remember these next shots are at a caravan site we used to go to at Aberaeron near Aberystwyth. The days when I used to use the car for holidays and trips out.

 

 

 

 

 

And this one, my first visit to symonds yat 2001.

 

 

Last year at the yat,

 

 

Another recent one at a local show,

 

,

 

 

and these are from June this year,Note..Standard ride height now, got fed up with poor ride quality and I think it looks better too.I've also added the Ford spot lights, not quite correct as they are chrome and I know they should be Black but I think they look ok.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's about it for now I think. It's got to have an MOT in the next couple of weeks but I need a small bit of welding doing on the Chassis leg beforehand, I've got someone lined up for that who is a top man with the metal work as I want a good job doing as it's the chassis leg.

 

I'll add a bit more info and photo's as I find them.

 

Cheers,

 

Matt.

Edited March 19 by mk4savage

[MARK-H 21]

I absolutely love this car, one of the best colour combinations too. :thumbup:

 

didnt realise you've had it for so long..........

[mk4savage 50]

Thanks Mate,

 

Yes, it's been a long time,At least I can say I know this car :rofl: I don't think I could ever part with it to be honest, It's tested my patience a bit over the years but it's worth it I think. Theres so much I need to do on it to get it the way I really want it, One step at a time though aye ?

[76 2.3 Ghia 0]

Your car is great, just love it :) nice to see another 2,3 ghia :cheers:

[sheffieldcortinacentre 595]

the pic from last years yat shows you next to my mate allans mk2 & my mk3 GT next to him!

[Jupiter Red Mark4 1]

Really nice car Matt. :thumbup:

 

Looks better with the standard ride height.

 

Look forward to seeing the car again next year.

[mk4savage 50]

Cheers Guys :thumbup:

 

I hadn't realised that was you parked next but one to me Craig, I do remember the yellow mk3. I think the chap next to me in the Mk2 had a tent up at one stage?

 

Thanks Stephen, Hopefully we'll see your Mk4 next year mate ?

[bill 0]

very nice.hope to get mine back on the road soon

[Jupiter Red Mark4 1]

Cheers Guys :thumbup:

 

I hadn't realised that was you parked next but one to me Craig, I do remember the yellow mk3. I think the chap next to me in the Mk2 had a tent up at one stage?

 

Thanks Stephen, Hopefully we'll see your Mk4 next year mate ?

 

Matt, hoping that I'll get the painted shell back with me at the end of this month.

 

I'll fit the headlining and the wiring harness for the front interior light, and I'll get them to fit the vinyl roof and front and rear screens.

 

Aiming to get the car complete for Symonds Yat next year (the end of a 21 year on/off resto), only problem is that I'll have to leave the Granada at home!

[sheffieldcortinacentre 595]

big fishing brolly with curtain, only £30 great for shows.

[cortinax14 10]

Really love your car, Matt :drool: :winner: :drool: Good colour combination. I've always liked the Roman Bronze.

 

I agree with Stephen that it looks better on its standard ride hieght. :thumbup:

[consul315 180]

what a lovely MK4, i admired it at S.Y..

fully agree with the ride height, it looks better to my opinion and roman bronze is one of the nicest colours for a MK4. is there any chance of interior pics, please! :cheers:

[Ale06 7]

A Chocolate Cortina!! Stunning combination.

:thumbup:

[mk4savage 50]

Thanks again Guys, I will get some pictures of the interior asap, I don't think I've got any decent shots of the interior at the moment but I will try and get some over the weekend. I thought about it today that I hadn't put any interior shots funny enough :headscratch:

 

The interior is as it was from the factory apart from the kick panels in the footwell, they are a different shade. I have got the originals only one is damaged so the ones in there will have to do for now.Oh, and the original Radio has gone, Another mistake I made in my younger days, At least I had the sense not to chop the rear parcel shelf about and the door cards!

[74cortina 0]

looks lovely that :thumbup: remember seeing it at the yat..

brown looks cack on most cars but is blob on with a mk4,really suits it :thumbup:

deffo much better with the sports steels on it :thumbup: