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"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse) 07/03/2017 at 17:23 • Filed to: Ford, Cortina

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Interesting things you can see at shows. Here for example is a section of the local Cortina Owners Club display. At the time (1970s) Ford and other makers were careful to graduate their car trim levels and to fit badges to show what the owner could or could not afford. You could then be marked out as a loser or an up-and-coming as appropriate. We need to bear in mind that most of these would have been company cars (cars supplied as a perk or tool of the trade).

Like this pair of MkIVs.

On the left, a basic 1.3. A loser then. Probably a junior salesman but certainly at the bottom of the pecking order. On the right, a 2.0 Ghia. Definitely something big. Management certainly, and not low level either. Looking carefully we note alloys (posh), vinyl roof (posh, although there’s a crude looking one on the 1.3), rubber over riders, a chrome tip for the exhaust, head restraints for the front seats and tinted glass. All things to show just how well you’ve done.

For all that though, they shared windy-up windows, manual steering, four speed manual box and a carburettor.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Cé hé sin 07/03/2017 at 17:29

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Do I remember correctly that you are in Ireland?

I generally like Asian sedans. I find them handsome and a sensible size.

Cé hé sin > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/03/2017 at 17:30

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Yes,, the Cortina was assembled here and was a big seller.

Frenchlicker > Cé hé sin 07/03/2017 at 17:35

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I recall reading about how all that worked there back then. It was fascinating how much people cared.

gmctavish needs more space > Cé hé sin 07/03/2017 at 17:35

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Reminds me of this, that someone on here posted once

Cé hé sin > gmctavish needs more space 07/03/2017 at 17:55

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Yes, that’s the way it was. Pecking order and all that.

The next step was to go to a “premium brand” rather than a 2.0 Ghia with extra alloys or whatever.

wkiernan > Cé hé sin 07/03/2017 at 19:17

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...that just won’t run without fu-u-uel!

fintail > gmctavish needs more space 07/03/2017 at 20:10

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Whatever you do, don’t get passed by a base.

I think I’ve watched that 10 times.

gmctavish needs more space > fintail 07/03/2017 at 20:13

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It fascinates me. Like a cult or something.

fintail > gmctavish needs more space 07/03/2017 at 20:29

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Indeed. There are some good one liners in it too, but I find it hard to work something into normal conversation when it involves an Astra or Primera, not to mention the Maestro Clubman diesel.

“That’s for reps”.