Vehicle Information
Once in a blue moon a special vehicle comes along that simply blows us away. Subject to a bare metal restoration carried out between this 1977 Ford Cortina 3.0S is stunning in every respect but don't take our word for it, look at the pictures and then come down to see it for yourself.
Heavily featured in the January 2021 issue of Classic Ford magazine, we learn about the immense restoration that was carried out by Ford nut Wayne Champion. Having restored a few cars prior to this, Wayne knew a thing or two about restoring a car to this exceptional level.
Stripped and taken back to a bare metal shell, the entire bodywork was sanded and prepped. It was then taken to Jay’s Auto Body Works in Staploe for the full professional respray and was finished beautifully in the excellent Signal Green.
Featuring the Essex 2994cc overhead-valve V6 mated to a refurbished Type 5 four-speed manual gearbox. Virtually the entire engine was refurbished, and many parts were replaced where necessary and in the process every nut and bolt were renewed. All the running gear was also stripped to bare metal, treated and painted in a fresh coat of gloss black.
In creating the unique look of this Cortina, Wayne sourced some sportier seats from Capri and had them re-trimmed by A&R Pound in Baldock in the eye-popping green Carla check. An RS Four spoke steering wheel and RS2000 steel wheels are a welcome option too.
Finally – Wayne improved the ride too by fitting 25 mm springs and GAZ dampers all around, thus making the car sit a little lower at the front – further adding to its subtly modified look.
Sure, it’s a bold car and it might not be everyone’s cup of tea but who cares when it looks this good. It is a total one-off and you can almost guarantee it will turn heads wherever it goes and will have people flocking to see it at any car show.
