My 1973 XLE Ford Cortina

His 1973 6 cylinder XLE Ford Cortina cost him less than $1000. Since buying it a couple of years ago he's refreshed the paint, replaced the vinyl roof, fixed some rust, rebuilt the engine and automatic transmission and given it a new interior. But that's it. He reckons he's not got a nice daily driver for well under $4000.

And he's right. It is one sharp automobile. "I used to have one back in the day. It was a three speed manual, with the `small' 3.3 litre six cylinder motor. It was my first car. I bought it new," he says.

Greg's Mark III Cortina is rare car for three reasons. The first is that it's a top of the range XLE, and few were sold to begin with. Second, not many of the mid-sized car have made it through to the 21st century. The third is that it is the only Australian built Cortina to be featured in Russell Hayes new book `Ford Cortina: The Complete Story.'

Haynes' tome has just been released to celebrate 50 years of Ford Cortina and is a must have for fans of the British marque .It is crammed with facts, figures ,images and behind the scenes stories about the development of all five of the Cortina series and its lesser know German "cousin" the Taunus.

Some of the best images are of the various styling proposals which Hayes has sourced from, Ford's archives.

Greg's Cortina is featured as a perfect example of Australian ingenuity. While South African Cortinas were offered with a choice of 2.5 and 3 litre V6 engines, Ford Australia opted for the straight sixes out of the Falcon.

Needless to say, the insertion of such a large and long lump of metal into an area intended for a four cylinder motor was not without its impact on the handling and steering characteristics.

But Ford Australia needed a quick and inexpensive offering to counteract Holden's range of four, six and eight cylinder Toranas, which were selling up a storm. So, the Falcon engines were given the assignment.

Greg endeavours to drive the Cortina at least once a week." "The joy is in driving it. It is not a trailer queen and I drive it in all weather".

Retroautos.com.au