FORD CORTINA MK1 (1962-1966)
Ford’s top brass was openly rattled by the introduction of the Mini in 1959, and news that a larger version was coming – the 1100 – only added to their fears. The Anglia 105E and the larger 109E were still fairly young, but Ford needed something to fit between these models and its forthcoming Mk3 Z-car range – a new affordable medium-sized saloon car. There was no Ford of Europe as yet, so the Blue Oval’s various offices were often left bickering about the way ahead. Those in Cologne soon found themselves holding a baby originally intended to be a joint project between Germany and the USA, project Cardinal, which ultimately left the door open for Dagenham to develop its own new mid-sized car.
Chief engineers Don Ward and
