Ford Cortina GT Mk. 2

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2006-08-23.

In autumn 1966 the Mk.II Cortina GT was released. The body was, of course, completely restyled, along with the entire Cortina lineup, but initially the car was still using most of the Mk.I GT drivetrain.

The same 78 bhp engine was used, and the same gearbox with the big gap between 2nd and 3rd, albeit with a new diaphragm-spring clutch, and a new three-rail remote gearchange.

The final drive ratio also remained the same at 3.90:1. The fuel tank was enlarged to 10 gallons, while 4.5” wheels became optional, and radial tyres became an option. Some suspension modifications were made, but mainly because the new body required it.

As well as the new body, the car also had a new dash, which took a lot of its design cues from the last of the Mk.I GT dashes.

The speedo and tacho were still behind the driver’s wheel, and the Aeroflow vents, toggle switches, and under-dash parking brake handle were still in evidence, but the auxiliary instruments had moved to a binnacle on top of the middle of the dash, their old location occupied by the heater controls.

Mechanical changes were, however, to be introduced on the Mk. II GT during it’s production cycle, starting in January 1967 with the introduction of the ‘2000E’ gearbox ratios, as used in the Corsair 2000E and Lotus-Cortina.

In August 1967 what is now commonly called the ‘crossflow’ version of the Kent engine was introduced, and the Weber could now be found sitting on a cast-alloy inlet manifold on the opposite side of the engine to the exhaust manifold.

With an increased capacity of 1599 cc (nominally 1600), output went up from 78 bhp at 5200 rpm, to 88 bhp at 5400 rpm. Also introduced with the crossflow engine was 4.5” wheel rims and radial tyres as standard, and a new centre console featuring a clock.

The next significant change was made in January 1968 with the removal of the locating radius arms on the rear suspension on all the UK models and on a lot of export cars as well.

In October of the same year the cars received a minor facelift, with new grilles, new badges, and new seats, plus the option of reclining seats on two-doors.

The instruments were moved (again), the handbrake was moved to the transmission tunnel, and a new gearchange mechanism, a new gearbox casing, an internal bonnet release, and a fully fused electrical system were introduced.

For the US market a polished wood veneer was added to the dash, as used in the 1600E. About 80,000 Mk.II GTs were sold. When first released, they were selling even better than the Mk.I GTs, but when the 1600E was introduced, the sales rate was cut in half, but they still sold respectably, with the sales for the 1600E easily making up the difference.