Mk. III Cortina...good platform for a project
Discussion
2 or 4 door?
I have a real soft spot for MKIII Cortinas. I had two 2 door cars that I regret having let go for 'buttons' a good few years ago now.
IMO, if it's at all serviceable you'd probably be better to get it roadworthy/presentable and sell it to an enthusiast then buy a more suitable track toy with the proceeds.
Cortinas are quite big, heavy and soft beasts so you'd have your work cut out getting it anywhere near to being a viable track car.
Anyway, have a look at this...............
http://www.retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?boar...
There are pictures of his other creations on the thread, it's well worth a read.
I have a real soft spot for MKIII Cortinas. I had two 2 door cars that I regret having let go for 'buttons' a good few years ago now.
IMO, if it's at all serviceable you'd probably be better to get it roadworthy/presentable and sell it to an enthusiast then buy a more suitable track toy with the proceeds.
Cortinas are quite big, heavy and soft beasts so you'd have your work cut out getting it anywhere near to being a viable track car.
Anyway, have a look at this...............
http://www.retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?boar...
There are pictures of his other creations on the thread, it's well worth a read.
The first car I owned... Daytona yellow it was.
Ended up with twin sidedraft Webers on it's 2 litre engine and some fairly basic suspension upgrades.
Not sure it would ever have made a good track car, but it was OK for a road going MkIII.
In those days the Escort platform was much more developed and better for racing and rallying. The MkI and MkII Lotus Cortinas were great racers of course, but AFAIK nobody ever raced the MKIII to any good effect, so unless MKII parts could be transplanted, I don't think the parts will be there.
I would think hard about it before spending too much time and money.
Ended up with twin sidedraft Webers on it's 2 litre engine and some fairly basic suspension upgrades.
Not sure it would ever have made a good track car, but it was OK for a road going MkIII.
In those days the Escort platform was much more developed and better for racing and rallying. The MkI and MkII Lotus Cortinas were great racers of course, but AFAIK nobody ever raced the MKIII to any good effect, so unless MKII parts could be transplanted, I don't think the parts will be there.
I would think hard about it before spending too much time and money.
I remember John Barker from EVO went about a similar project with a Mk 1 Capri.
Stripped it down, modern brakes and suspension and a 5litre Rover V8.
No-end of nightmares I recall even with specialist help, it's been an ongoing project for about 5 years now and still not finished.
Money pit!
Stripped it down, modern brakes and suspension and a 5litre Rover V8.
No-end of nightmares I recall even with specialist help, it's been an ongoing project for about 5 years now and still not finished.
Money pit!
The handling is fine if set up right, they arent as good as an Escort (coils versus leafs at the back, bushes are the main issue with miles) from what I remember, as for heavy, compared to what, wouldnt want it sat on my foot but its probably lighter than a modern supermini. I would suggest a Cosworth YB as you can get silly power and the Cortina is set up for the Cosworth block as its a Pinto derivative.
The shell is as mentioned key, if it is too rusty then its a lot of work, too expensive if you are paying to have it done, if you are doing it then its down to time, enthusaism and the purchase of lots of steel and welding consumables, look on Retro Rides for examples of what can be done, very little is beyond repair on there, old Datsuns that need the suspension mounts totally rebuilding, wouldnt be possible if you were paying a garage but these lads do it.
So, Cosworth YB, cage with some traigulation to the suspension mounts to stiffen it up, some decent suspension, brakes, tyres and it could make a decent track day car, pretty much anything can with work.
The shell is as mentioned key, if it is too rusty then its a lot of work, too expensive if you are paying to have it done, if you are doing it then its down to time, enthusaism and the purchase of lots of steel and welding consumables, look on Retro Rides for examples of what can be done, very little is beyond repair on there, old Datsuns that need the suspension mounts totally rebuilding, wouldnt be possible if you were paying a garage but these lads do it.
So, Cosworth YB, cage with some traigulation to the suspension mounts to stiffen it up, some decent suspension, brakes, tyres and it could make a decent track day car, pretty much anything can with work.
Although they can be tightened up, the rear suspension in particular is a bit of a naff design IMO and doesn't lend itself to competition use.
Having said that, I wouldn't know what to suggest. In days of yore, a jag IRS could be found slung under quite a few MKIII Cortinas, (amongst others!), but I'm not sure how suitable that would be in this day and age.
The front is a fairly bog standard double wishbone affair but it's all hung off a quite ungainly subframe that's located using soft bushes. Ideally, the lot needs ripped out and replaced.
And then you've got all the bodywork to consider. I think replacing panels with GRP or carbon fibre wouldn't be worth the effort.
It's not outwith the realms of possibility to turn it into something that handles well, but you'd not be left with much of the original car IMO.
As I say, I'd look at selling it or breaking it for spares and spend the proceeds on something more suitable, say like maybe a 3 series BMW.
Having said all that, a MKIII Cortina would certainly be quite a remarkable sight on a track!!
Having said that, I wouldn't know what to suggest. In days of yore, a jag IRS could be found slung under quite a few MKIII Cortinas, (amongst others!), but I'm not sure how suitable that would be in this day and age.
The front is a fairly bog standard double wishbone affair but it's all hung off a quite ungainly subframe that's located using soft bushes. Ideally, the lot needs ripped out and replaced.
And then you've got all the bodywork to consider. I think replacing panels with GRP or carbon fibre wouldn't be worth the effort.
It's not outwith the realms of possibility to turn it into something that handles well, but you'd not be left with much of the original car IMO.
As I say, I'd look at selling it or breaking it for spares and spend the proceeds on something more suitable, say like maybe a 3 series BMW.
Having said all that, a MKIII Cortina would certainly be quite a remarkable sight on a track!!
As has been said the condition of the shell is key.
brakes can be upgraded, suspension improved with springs, and polybushes. plenty of other kit cars used cortina bits, so there are some parts around..
even things like TVR wedges used cortina front suspension.
as for engines I'd go either cossy YB turbo or 24v v6 cossy (BOA)
and probably a T5 gearbox..
brakes can be upgraded, suspension improved with springs, and polybushes. plenty of other kit cars used cortina bits, so there are some parts around..
even things like TVR wedges used cortina front suspension.
as for engines I'd go either cossy YB turbo or 24v v6 cossy (BOA)
and probably a T5 gearbox..
Jag-D said:
S1_RS said:
olly22n said:
Thinking of that matt black one Scott with the big YB in it?
That'll be Mick Rogers' 'tina then.Awseome car. Bodywork looks ratty but it does 10 second 1/4's!
YB?? Cossie engine?
Willing to wager that's not bog standard suspension though!!
I'd be interested to know the reg' plate of that as I've been wondering what happened to the ones I sold all those years ago.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
The question is more if you are capable. No offence meant by that, you may be perfectly capable! Welding isn't easy to do properly, panel beating isn't easy to do full stop.
Personally, as others have said, I'd be inclined to restore to standard & sell, and get a more suitable track toy. BUT I'm a bit fond of my old Fords, and with classic cars in general take the viewpoint that if it's already been modified, do whatever with it, but if it's standard it's made it this far so keep it that way. Not sure how many people echo that view though 
Sorry if this thread is ancient and I've dragged it up, I've surfed on from Google.
I have a Mk5 Cortina that is currently being rebuilt. I'm hoping to use it for fast road use and occasional trackdays. Suspension wise I've replaced the shocks and Springs for Spax uprated Shocks and -3" Gaz Lowering springs. The front has been completely polybushed (excluding rack bushes which I though were unneccesary) and the rear has had new replacedment bushes. I was going to poly the Void bushes but was advised that this can make the rear suspnsion arms to twist and deform as they were designed to have play in the void bushes.
I'm hoping that this will create quite and alright handling car. Obviously its never gunna be a complete track weapon but it'll be fun and its been really cheap.
I have a Mk5 Cortina that is currently being rebuilt. I'm hoping to use it for fast road use and occasional trackdays. Suspension wise I've replaced the shocks and Springs for Spax uprated Shocks and -3" Gaz Lowering springs. The front has been completely polybushed (excluding rack bushes which I though were unneccesary) and the rear has had new replacedment bushes. I was going to poly the Void bushes but was advised that this can make the rear suspnsion arms to twist and deform as they were designed to have play in the void bushes.
I'm hoping that this will create quite and alright handling car. Obviously its never gunna be a complete track weapon but it'll be fun and its been really cheap.
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