1978 Ford Cortina MK IV

1978 Ford Cortina Mark IV Saloon 2.0 Ghia Seldom-seen car in the United States Showing only 36,930 Kilometer or 22,945 miles, which are believed to be actual Fords version of the Fairmont in top-of-the-line Ghia trim Right-hand drive 2.0L OHC four-cylinder engine (code NE) Four-speed manual transmission (code B) and 3.07 gearing (code B) Red exterior (code 78) with full black vinyl roof and tan cloth interior (code W1) Power brakes and drivers side remote sideview mirror Rear defroster and mud flaps Fords perennially popular European compact, the Cortina is a virtual unknown in the United States, but we have one yet again at MotoeXotica Classic Cars. This is a Ghia model, the top-of-the-line trim. The car has been featured in, among others, the 1990s British situation comedy, Keeping Up Appearances and it made a cameo in the 1977 James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me. The previous Missouri owner since 2017 stated he purchased the car with the understanding the miles are original however he had no documentation. Dressed in Red (code 78) with a full black vinyl roof, the cars paint and trim are in overall very good order. Made in Fords Dagenham, Essex, England factory, (code B), the bodywork is straight and solid. The engine bay is extremely tidy and the Super Start battery appears new. The cars chrome bumpers fit tightly to the body and look great. This British Ford rolls on radial tires, size 185/70SR13, at every corner. Each tire is mounted to a factory wheel. While the wheels are in very good order, the tires are in good shape. Under the hood is a 2.0L OHC four-cylinder engine (code NE). It is mated to a four-speed manual transmission (code B) and a 3.07:1 final drive (code B). Driver convenience features include power brakes and drivers side remote sideview mirror. Inside, the tan cloth interior (code W1) is in overall very good order. There are bucket seats in front and a bench seat in back. The complementing carpet and headliner look great. A four-spoke steering wheel serves as a contrast to the rest of the interior. The instrument panel is in very good order, has full instrumentation and even a working clock. The inner door panels are in similar condition. An AM/FM stereo with cassette deck and Matsui rear deck speakers rounds out the interior. The fourth-generation Cortina was a more conventional design than its predecessor, and this was largely appreciated by fleet buyers. The most obvious change was the new squarer body in line with contemporary folded paper fashion of the time, which achieved the marketing department objective of larger windows giving a better view out and a brighter feel to the cabin, but at the expense of body weight which was increased. Ford claimed an overall increase in window area of some 15 percent, with 40 percent better visibility through the wider, deeper back window. This series spawned the first Ghia top-of-the-range model. The 2.0-litre Pinto was always by far the most common engine option for Ghia models. Two-door and four-door saloons and a five-door estate were offered with all other engines being carried over. Despite its status as Britain's bestselling car throughout its production run the Mark IV is now the rarest Cortina. Particularly scarce are the 2.0 and 2.3S models, which were discontinued when the Mark V was introduced in August 1979. For Ford fanatics, Euro car collectors and anyone who can appreciate a mid-70s stalwart compact, this is quite a find. Stop by MotoeXotica Classic Cars today to look over this Cortina soon. VIN: BABFUL11691? This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 36,926 kilometers or 22,945 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!