To quote from the book’s PR blurb: “There would hardly be a ‘mature’ Kiwi whose life hasn’t been touched somewhere along the way by a Cortina. They may have owned one (or more), maybe they still do, or perhaps their parents, a sister or brother, grandparents or friends had one.”
And the editor has to plead guilty as charged, having owned two MKI Cortinas and having had a MKV as a company car. They were so popular my first one got stolen!
This is another of the line-up of local automotive titles from Bateman Books and is released in July.
As well as a general background on the Cortina in New Zealand, Gordon adds stories about 35 unique Cortinas and their owners, some of the owners have one Cortina, others several and one even had 26!
Some of the highlights include Allan’s MKI Lotus Cortina – in my view the pinnacle of Cortinas – I still kick myself that I could have bought one for $2,000 in the late 70s (About twice the price of a second-hand standard model!). For good measure Arrol’s racing MKI Lotus is also featured along with several other Lotus models. Also featured is one of the more famous New Zealand, Cortinas – Possum Bourne’s Yellow MKI fitted with a 3.5-litre Oldsmobile alloy V8 that he raced and rallied in the late 70’s and early 80’s before he became a household name. This is now owned by Don Fenwick who has fettled fine rally cars around the world and worked for Possum for some time.
There are a stories about a couple of rare Crayford Cabriolet conversions (MKI and MKII).
The later models are not forgotten with a very tidy MKV Cortina Ghia which Rob has owned from new. Several MKII’s, MKIII’s and MKIV’s are also featured.
Final mention must go to Richard who owns a collection of 26 Cortinas (As part of a collection of over 80 English Fords), these are kept as vehicles to drive rather than show.
If you are one of those who have owned or loved Cortinas, this is a great read.
Available in July from good bookstores or batemanbooks.co.nz for $49.95
By Gordon Campbell
