VA10322 Ford Cortina Mk3 2.0 GXL - Tawny

The Cortina modelled was first registered in January 1972 in Nottinghamshire. Unusually for a top of the range GXL, it was specified with no underriders beneath the bumpers and with only one inertia reel seatbelt, on the driver’s side, the passenger seat having a static belt instead. 

It is believed that the original owner kept it for many years and covered around 66,000 miles before storing it permanently in their garage in Hinckley, Leicestershire, after the driver’s door was damaged. 

In 2006 it was offered for sale by a house clearance company but, sadly, with no paperwork giving any details of its history, save for the fact it was a one-owner car.

It was purchased by West Midlands-based Ford enthusiast and professional classic car restorer Emlyn Bowdler, who restored it using the door-skin bought by the first owner and repairing some other panels. He was pleased to find, however, that it was totally original as well as being basically structurally and mechanically sound. 

He used it regularly for some years, covering over 10,000 miles, but lost his storage facilities in July 2021, so offered the car to friend and fellow Cortina enthusiast Mark Rogers. He stripped the car for the full restoration he felt this rare survivor deserved and exhibited it in that stripped-out state at the 2022 Practical Classics NEC Restoration Show. He is looking forward to exhibiting the car, fully restored to its original specification, soon.