Ford Cortina Mark III (Mk3)

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Everything is cycled in this world: seasons, fashion, music, clothes and, of course, cars. With the current obsession with the 1970s, Ford Cortina Mark 3 becomes one of the pearls of this period.

It was introduced in 1970 at the Earl Court Motor Show. It was the new model of a famous Ford Cortina, a family motor that was really popular for a decade. The style was renewed to a more comfort and glamorous, making Ford Cortina Mark 3 with its distinctive coke-bottle-shaped curves, the strongest competitor to Japanese imports to the country. This model was very popular in Europe; the mass production of Mk3 under the ‘Taunus’ moniker was carried out in then West Germany.

The model was available in 35 variations, from the old-school 1300 to trendy and glamorous 2000GXL with a stylish obligatory vinyl roof. Though all models were very popular, the best-selling was exactly the 1300 model. After the road test, it was described as a ‘sheep in wolf’s clothing’. The 2000GXL model was equipped with beloved by Ford 2.0 liter OHC ‘Pinto’ engine, nearly twice as quick to accelerate to 60mph.

Ford Cortina Mark III
© The_guitar_mann | Dreamstime.com – Ford Cortina Mark 3 Dragster

Ford Cortina Mark 3 was an easy-to-drive model with a lot of space creating a ‘Big Car’ feel. Actually, this exact feel was the reason it unpopularity in motorsport. The only time it was used to prove its motoring powers was a Jackie Stewart’s popular ‘Formula Finesse’ competition with the only goal not to lose a ball in a container on the bonnet of the car.

Nevertheless, the Mk3 Cortina soon became the most popular can in Britain and a real superstar in many other countries. Various Cortina lookalikes with the basic shape but various engines appeared in Australia, South Africa, and Europe. The pick of its popularity is the introduction of the 2000E model in 1973 and previous ‘Cortina Savage’ in 1972. Today this car is known as a pearl of the 1970s motoring culture.

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26 Comments

  1. Colin McKay
    September 15, 2017 at 02:05

    I have a quantity of new and used Mk3 Cortina parts which I want to get rid of. Can you help? Send me an email address, and I’ll send you the list.

    • stanton
      November 15, 2017 at 23:23

      Hi Colin
      Please send the list if you still have the parts.
      brown.stanton@gmail.com

    • Harry
      April 10, 2018 at 23:09

      Hi, could you also send me the list if you still have it please. harrydickens97@gmail.com

    • Colin
      May 18, 2018 at 23:51

      Hi if you still have any can you send me the list please Colin Salmon grandadfish@mail.com

    • Chitewe
      June 15, 2020 at 07:44

      Tail light both and front indicators both.

      0026772501803

      • Anonymous
        April 29, 2021 at 00:47

        Hi have you still got the parts

    • Anonymous
      March 20, 2023 at 10:53
    • Motorite
      December 18, 2023 at 21:44

      I have a mk3 1600 XL and i would be interested in the parts you have.
      motorite@uahoo,com

  2. stanton
    November 15, 2017 at 23:30

    Also not mentioned in this article. South Africa, they produced a GT 3.0 – Big Six.
    I’m busy educating myself on the ford cortina and finding it difficult to get information on the South African Versions.

    • Tony
      May 8, 2021 at 01:11

      I have a MK3 3.0 V6 XLE “The Big Six” Standard from South Africa and i cant find anything about this model?
      All I know is that it was made in Dagenham and shipped to SA. This model was not for the UK.
      If you have any info or any contacts please can you come back to me?
      Thanks

  3. Alan
    January 12, 2018 at 22:05

    Hi..please assist if pissible..i need indicator lenses for my 1971 cortina mk 3.

    Your assistance is appreciated

    Alan

  4. Andy newman
    January 31, 2018 at 00:56

    Looking for a pair of a post repair panels for mk 5 anybody help

  5. Christoph Reinhold
    January 26, 2019 at 23:36

    Hi, please assist,if possible, i need a brake master cylinder no. 64679155 for
    an spartan convertible/cortina mk 3 1979 1993 cc.Thank you for any advice!

  6. Anonymous
    March 1, 2019 at 01:20

    hi every one can you help i need both side front floor pan’s Dennis Zampino
    densul61@gmail.com

    • Rob
      June 22, 2021 at 15:04

      Hi I am an Aussie and reaching out world wide for any one that can help in giving me measurements of the mk3 coupe doors as we never got the coupe here but I believe the roof line and size is the same so I want to convert My 4 door to a coupe pls help
      Regards
      Rob

  7. Dennis Zampino
    March 1, 2019 at 01:23

    sorry its for a cortina mk3 estate Dennis Zampino

  8. Sue Powers
    April 17, 2019 at 22:28

    Hi

    I Have 3 original Cortina Mk3 Mk4 MK5 Dashboards with clocks that I want to sell. They have the wooden front. How much are they worth? Can anyone help?

  9. Charles Sweeney
    June 10, 2019 at 17:06

    I have the following parts from a Cortina MkIII 2L. If anybody needs them I’m happy to give them away.

    Weber dual barrel carburettor (used until 1987), and the following new parts (bought in 1987 and never used) for the carburettor:
    Water chamber, Ford Finis code 1495548
    Float needle, Ford Finis code 6103729
    Gasket kit, Ford Finis code 1502361

    Haynes Manual – Ford Cortina III, 1970 to 1976 all models, 1600 and 2000

    • Ian Cameron
      November 25, 2021 at 22:41

      Clearing out attic found these, interested?
      Mail me [red_cam@yahoo.com] will supply pic’s.

      Throttle cable Mark 3/4
      Clutch cable Marl 3/4
      Oil pressure gauge + cable + fitting
      Lucas spotlight x2
      Weber twin carb

  10. oprolevorter
    June 24, 2019 at 17:54

    Wow! Thank you! I always needed to write on my blog something like that. Can I implement a fragment of your post to my blog?

  11. John
    August 5, 2019 at 20:39

    Hi, I am selling an original genuine Ford Cortina Mark 3 Gold Pin Stripe Double Line Tape. I used to own a brown Cortina Mark 3 with the gold pinstripes down the sides, and kept this spare gold tape in case I needed it. The roll is 5.35 metres long, and includes the two front-end and two back-end finishers. It’s for sale on eBay. Here is the link:
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-Genuine-Ford-Cortina-Mk-3-Gold-Pin-Stripe-Double-Line-Tape-Decal/254321471313?hash=item3b36bdaf51:g:6TQAAOSwVt5dSEIN

  12. Bill
    February 5, 2020 at 21:59

    Hi everyone. I’m not an owner of one but I need a steering lock complete for (I believe) a MK3. There’s one on Ebay but it’s the wrong one despite it being advertised as a Mk3. It’s for a hotrod I bought last year which uses MK3 steering and suspension. Any ideas please?
    Bill

  13. KarenVax
    August 21, 2020 at 17:43

    4X4 Ford Bronco Power Wheels Go Kart Pt. 2

  14. G MARKS
    June 27, 2022 at 16:48

    Hi everyone .My Name Is Gary i work at Car Craft in Cambridge
    im looking for a type 9 mk 3 cortina gearbox 1600 ohv engine or a 2nd gear syncro hub and sleeve. My phone number is 01223 351038
    Thanks

  15. Anonymous
    May 21, 2023 at 13:12

    Hi, i have some MK 3 cortina body parts i am looking to sell. For more info please call Mark 07903460691

  16. SarahCadillac
    May 23, 2023 at 01:41

    Many years ago, I bought an almost new facelift 1976 MK3 2 door. Looked after very well and ziebarted from new.

    I owned her for over 20 years and sold only due to losing my home. A beautiful green metallic colour and was so broken hearted. Zero rust ….DVLA won’t pass my details on as I know the car still exists, my dream was to try to buy her back.

    So…..

    Recently bought another facelift 2 door.but this need tons of work and was also originally green. It’s been standing for over 30 years.

    It will take some time, but I will restore her to look like tha car I once had. No quick repray here..it will be a quality strip and rebuild.

    I’ve done a few cars being a qualified aeronautical engineer and currently run a powerful Americna Hot Rod. It’s what I do …

    Selling my near mint MK2 LWB Transit ex ambulance to fund this 🙂