My Cortina 2.0 Crusader

[cortina 4]

In 2014 after 5 years without a Cortina and a bit of cash in the bank, my search started. I specifically wanted a 2.0 litre Crusader or Ghia MK5 with manual transmission.

 

I first saw this car quite some years ago:

 

 

Scouring the Internet I came across this, a 0 previous owner 2.0 Crusader manual in red/silver with just under 38,000 genuine miles on the clock. It had been customised from new with a rear spoiler, driving lamps, a wooden steering wheel & gear knob, a glass sun roof, a dummy roof aerial, a set of chrome wheels, copious amounts of stick on chrome trim, bright screen inserts, the clear glass replaced with tinted glass, a lovely set of door sill protectors, K&N air filter and various chrome/painted/polished bits in the engine bay.

 

The advert pictures:

 

 

 

 

After a 200 mile drive in my trusty Sierra 1.8, we arrived at the sellers address one very wet Sunday morning, armed with a fistful of cash and the expectation that it would be a wrench for him to part with it after 32 years of ownership. It was parked under a car port and it looked very clean, I knew that I had to have it, I had a brief test drive and negotiated a deal over tea and biscuits, which included some original items from the car and some new and used spares. I was even offered the opportunity to jack the car up and have a look underneath - which I declined. I taxed the car on line and already had the insurance in place.

 

The drive home was very wet, this was the first time that the car had been out in that sort of weather, there were some very big puddles on the roads. The drive was disappointing, the car felt vague, floaty, a bit down on performance, a steering wheel wobble at 40mph and the brakes pulled to one side and then the other - this was when I had a 'what on earth have I done? moment'.

 

What's done, is done - the car is now mine, and there can't be much fundamentally wrong with such a low mileage genuine car. A program of work started, jobs done over the last two years:

 

 

De-blinging

Wheels replaced with Capri Laser Alloys and more recently by a set of powder coated Ford Sports - all new tyres on all 10 wheels upgraded from 165 to 185 width.

 

Sticky chrome removed, chrome exhaust tip removed and tail pipe polished, bumpers, screen trims, driving lamp surrounds and bulk head panels all wrapped in vinyl.

 

Interior

Steering wheel replaced with the original item that was supplied with the car, gear knob replaced with a Sierra 4 speed one, steering wheel cover fitted, rev counter dash and console fitted, electric aerial, radio replaced with a modern item, 4 blown speakers replaced, heated drivers seat kit fitted, driving lamps wired correctly and a remote central locking kit was fitted to operate on the front doors only - I didn't want to drill the rear doors and B post for wiring.

 

Electrical.

Old Selmar alarm removed, wiring made good, wiper motor linkage adjusted so that they park correctly, extra interior lights removed.

 

Engine

Given a good service including all the belts, new water pump, a good coolant flush (it was very rusty, now the heater is red hot), head removed for an unleaded conversion, electronic ignition fitted, original air filter fitted, new carburettor, engine bay wiring loom re-wrapped, exhaust manifold painted, inlet manifold replaced and a bit of cleaning and some metal parts polished.

 

Suspension

Bushes replaced with poly ones at the rear arm to axle mounts, front anti roll bar poly bushed along with the steering rack and tie bars, front wheel alignment checked/adjusted, upper rear arm to body bushes replaced with standard items. Dampers replaced with a set of Gaz adjustables.

 

Brakes

A full brake inspection, clean up, adjustment, fluid change, new front pads and brake discs skimmed.

 

Body

Rear spoiler water ingress sorted, colour stripes replaced, black boot badges, rear mud flaps removed, period registration plates fitted and a general clean up.

 

Recent pictures:

 

 

 

During a visit to the Ford Heritage Collection in Dagenham last week:

 

 

That's the main points of the work which I have done, along with the general cleaning and the dead ends/problems that you meet on the way, it takes a fair bit of time.

 

The result is now that I have a car that drives as good as it looks, the engine pulls well and once warm it loves to reach the upper end of the rev counter.

 

The registration is interesting, the car was on a private plate from new, when the number was transferred to his next car the Cortina did not have an original number to revert back to, so EPV 48Y was issued to it. Coincidentally PV is an Ipswich number - which is where I live, but it was never issued on a Y suffix here, another Cortina that I know of has had a similar thing happen, it got issued EPV 49Y. The number of people who I speak to who categorically insist that this is a local car and don't seem to believe me when I tell them that it is not.

 

Todays project is to make some trim for the interior boot cross panel.

 

The future for the car, it's certain that I'll never ever sell it, in fact I'll be doing the opposite. Having recently been diagnosed with a terminal illness which carries a short life expectancy, I'll be leaving it to my best friend of 40 odd years for him to enjoy.

[RT 1006 137]

What a superb looking Crusader and a real credit to all your hard work and determination. I can appreciate how much time and effort has go into it. I bought my Mk5 four years ago and even though it was a comparitively low milage car and had been kept in a heated garage for the previous 20 years it still took me a couple of years to get it up to a standard where I'm confident in its reliability and happy with its looks and performance.

 

Reference the last part of your post, I've just gone through a similar thing with a very close family member and if you could have half her courage and determination you'll be driving and enjoying the Crusader for a very long time to come. Stay focused, don't give up and never give in. How about a trip to Monmouth for Cortina Day? I'm sure lots of people would love to see your car in the flesh.

[Shadow 20]

Hello.

I echo the above post.

Stay positive and enjoy the cortina.

 

Regards

 

Ron

[cortina 4]

Reference the last part of your post, I've just gone through a similar thing with a very close family member and if you could have half her courage and determination you'll be driving and enjoying the Crusader for a very long time to come. Stay focused, don't give up and never give in. How about a trip to Monmouth for Cortina Day? I'm sure lots of people would love to see your car in the flesh.

 

It's keeping me going at the moment, with optimism, I've already booked a travel lodge at Monmouth for 3 nights for me and the cars next keeper and I'll be at the Ace on the 6th May.

[wolfrace 116]

I really hope you get to enjoy your cortina, and everything else in life, for a very long time yet. You've done a superb job transforming that car.

[nascar66 74]

That is a lovely car and you have done a great job on it and I'm sorry for your bad news!

[Mk5Mike 36]

I'm really sorry to have to report that John died the night before last.

 

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

 

RIP

[Pete-H 69]

I'm really sorry to have to report that John died the night before last.

 

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

 

RIP

 

That is very sad to hear, I would like to join Mike in this sad time, John will be missed by many.

[John Mack 337]

I'm really sorry to have to report that John died the night before last.

 

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

 

RIP

That's sad news, hope he is at peace.

[Jpayne666 0]

Rest in peace