With a distinctive body style, reliable engine, effective suspension and keenly priced, the Cortina defined the family car market and ensured Ford’s sale dominance in the UK.

Finished in rapid time during 1960, the project to develop Ford’s new model was fast but not made with haste. From the start of the consultations, the calculated project that fitted a specific market took only twenty-one months to reach production - then an all-time record in the motor industry.

Designed and engineered entirely in the UK, the Cortina aimed to fill a gap for a mid-sized model that had a perfect blend of affordability, practicality and an engaging driving experience. It needed to be lightweight, spacious and fun to drive.

The result, released in 1962, was perfect for families and also for company cars with an estate version launched in 1963. Production of the Mk 1 ended in 1966 but the model continued through several marks until its retirement in 1982.

Originally imported from South Africa, this car entered the Museum’s permanent collection in 2026.