Cortina 2.3S: A satisfied owner

Sir,

At the end of February this year, I took delivery of Ford’s latest version of the Cortina powered by the 2.3-litre V6 engine. Little has been written in motoring journals about this model. A couple of lines in Motor Sport to the effect that it was comfortable and had a good turn of speed.

May I enlarge slightly on that comment?

It is a superb car in many respects. It most certainly is comfortable and I find the most satisfying aspect of the car is that it is totally responsive. The acceleration throughout the speed range is excellent and on single carriageway roads overtaking is completely safe. Very few cars of similar size and price, foreign cars induced, can keep up with a 2.3 let alone outperform a 2.3.

The car has covered nearly 10,000 miles. In that time only the clutch has needed serious attention. The car is “looked after” by an unusual local garage: it employs fully trained mechanics who enjoy working on cars. The garage at Shepley, known as The Sovereign is directed by Mr. Barnes, an earnest and knowledgeable man.

Roadholding, comfort and performance are not in any way sacrificed to high petrol consumption. On a recent holiday in the Western  Highlands of Scotland, a total of 1,820 miles was covered. About 700 of these miles were on single track roads with the customary passing places. The car must have been brought to rest many hundreds of times on these roads to such places as Applecross, Loch Carron, Poolewe and Inverness. In spite of this, and with four people on board, the consumption was 27.5 m.p.g. and one litre of oil.

I have no connection with Ford in any way. In fact the car driven prior to the 2. 3 was a 1978 Cortina 2000E. It was a complete disaster: the front wheels were loose when it was delivered in August 1976. Incredible it may be, but they were still loose when traded in in February.

Thongsbridge, Yorks. W. M. R. HENDERSON

(Which reminds me that I ought to road test one!)