Can you identify these car remains?

[Red 5]

While walking today, we happened upon an abandoned car in the woods!
It seems it’s sat undisturbed as its rotted away, to leave only major components.

The seat frames are almost in place and very little has been moved.
The aluminium window surrounds were all there, along with bumpers and radiator!
The rocker cover is in the pictures too, laying down where the seats are. I couldn’t see an make on it.

It must have driven there to die, as it’s up a decent hill.

I bet somebody here can identify this. I’d bet someone on PH has one of these right now even?

Any ideas?

[Buster73]

Ford Cortina possibly a Mk.3

[RobXjcoupe]

The wheels are ford

[selnic]

Ford Cortina mk3, ohc Pinto engine and front suspension.

[Red 5]

Buster73 said:

Ford Cortina possibly a Mk.3

Just Googled.
Front bumper and wheels look like a match! Could well be it!
Does that hold true looking at the mechanicals?

[Red 5]

selnic said:

Ford Cortina mk3, ohc Pinto engine and front suspension.

So an easy one then?

Haha I though it would take more than 90 seconds

[crowfield]

Rear axle is Cortina. Engine and front suspension all Cortina.

[StuntmanMike]

Red 5 said:

Buster73 said:

Ford Cortina possibly a Mk.3

Just Googled.
Front bumper and wheels look like a match! Could well be it!
Does that hold true looking at the mechanicals?

Yes, that’s a Cortina MK3 for sure, decent model as well judging form the Pinto and wheels.

[f1nn]

In line 4 cylinder 8v, rear drive, could be anything, then you get to the picture with the wheels and it is instantly recognisable as a Cortina

[Getragdogleg]

It was driven there and then burnt out.

That's why the thin panels have now gone by rusting away, Including the diff cover.

All glass and rubber would have remained fairly intact if it had not been destroyed in the fire

[Red 5]

I remember these from my childhood. Always had slightly rattly engines if my memory serves me.

I was surprised it had been so unmolested. Even the horn/hooter assembly was laying just behind the front bumper.

I guess they also didn’t like being parked outside in the woods?

[njw1]

Probably a GXL model too having chrome hubcaps.

[Red 5]

Getragdogleg said:

It was driven there and then burnt out.

That's why the thin panels have now gone by rusting away, Including the diff cover.

All glass and rubber would have remained fairly intact if it had not been destroyed in the fire

Fire does seem logical to me. I do think the glass would have been smashed and be long gone anyway?
The slim window trims (aluminium) were still there and all in bright condition. Would they not have burned?

What about tyres? They don’t normally burn away at the rear do they? What happens to tyres of that era when left to the elements for 30+ years anyway?

[Red 5]

njw1 said:

Probably a GXL model too having chrome hubcaps.

Important details!
They were all still there too!

[njw1]

[gruffgriff]

Great sleuthing; I guessed pinto, confirmed by the wheels but was thrown by one of the bumpers looking a bit mk2 Escorty...curly bumper very mk3 Cortina though.
So it's been stood a very long time since being torched but would the body have dissolved completely? There's no sign of remnants of panels yet some still chunky stuff, e.g. the prop and rear leaf springs aren't in shot either...can't imagine the shell would have been cleared away leaving the bits we can see... but then we do see bumpers and panels left on verges by rta recovery types..

[Kawasicki]

Wow. It amazes me just how much it has Basically dissolved! My dad had one, the pictures remind me of the unstoppable passage of time.

[Dg504]

Already outclassed but petrol, 4 cylinder, looks like old Ford wheels and diff means rwd?

[bern]

Apologies for the thread hijack. But seeing as that was solved fairly quickly can anyone hazard a guess to what this may have been? Mid engined, rear wheel drive, 2 seater, 2 cylinder, er not sure what else! Stainless sill plates? Strange front suspension set up? Spotted locally on Friday.

[finlo]

A golf buggy?