Ford - Ford Cortina
The Ford Cortina name was used on a surprising number of Ford models over the five versions of the Cortina, spanning a 20 year period. The original 2 and 4 door Ford Cortina was available between 1962 and 1968, originally with an enlarged Anglia 1200cc engine. By 1966 the Cortina was increased to 1300cc capacity. There were also a couple of 1500cc Cortina models in the range from 1963. And in addition there was the 2 door competition Ford Lotus Cortina that were all white (with green side flash) that was fitted with the Ford based Lotus twin cam engine.
From 1966 to 1970 the shorter and wider Mk2 Cortina was an all new car with engine bored out to 1500cc, these being the Cortina 1500 with 65bhp and the 1600cc Cortina GT quoted as having 83.5 bhp. These Ford Cortina models were supplemented from 1967 with the Cortina 1300, 1600, 1600E and Cortina GT with 2 door and 4 door models, which with their various stages of trim and specifications offered a huge choice, and sold well. And there was also the competition Lotus Cortina version with 1558cc Lotus Ford twin cam engine.
From 1970 the Cortina Mk3 was the development resulting from the German and British Ford of Europe merger, in a similar range of 1300, 1600, 1600GT, 2000 and 2300 models. One final thing to mention for interest is that the cars sold by Ford Germany throughout mainland Europe were sold under the name Ford Taunus, and from 1970 the Taunus was identical with the Ford Cortina Mk3, after which Ford models carried on in tandem from that time onward - the main difference being the right hand drive specification of the British cars.
Tyre sizes used for the various models of Ford Cortina :
- The earlier (1962-1966) Ford Cortina 1200 and Cortina 1300 (built during 1966-1967) had as original fitment the 5.20x13 cross ply tyre, which is radial 145R13 tyre size equivalent, which were fitted to 4 J wheel rims. Blockley produces this 145R13 tyre size with a high quality period authentic correct pattern 145R13 tyre, with steel belt construction for the Cortina 1200 and 1300 - see full details below.
- Tyre size for Ford Cortina Mk1 and Cortina GT 1500cc cars (built between 1963 and 1966) were originally fitted with 5.60x13 tyres, which is radial equivalent 165R13 tyre size. Blockley produces this high speed rated steel belt construction 165HR13 tyre size for the Ford Cortina Mk1, details below.
- The Lotus Cortina tyre size was listed from new with both cross ply 6.00x13 and its radial equivalent tyre size 165R13, both fitting a 5 1/2 J wheel rim. The Blockley tread pattern on our steel belted high speed rated 165HR13 is period perfect for the Lotus Cortina. See full details of this 165HR13 tyre below.
- Tyre size for the Mk.2 Ford Cortina 1300 continued with the 145R13 size, while all the other Mk.2 Ford Cortina models were specified with the the larger 5.60x13 and equivalent radial 165R13 tyre size. Even the Lotus Cortina was specified with 165R13 tyres originally. So our recommendation is the radial Blockley 165HR13 tyre, while for those wanting a wider non standard tyre of the same diameter, there is also the Blockley 185/70VR13 tyre, as well as the very slightly smaller diameter 175/70VR13 choice. See details of all these tyre sizes below.
- For Ford Cortina Mk3 (1970 to 1976) the standard tyre fitment was the 165HR13 size which was fitted to the standard 4.5 J wheel. A wider tyre of the same diameter (the 185/70VR13 size) is also available from Blockley for those wanting to fit a wider tyre on wider wheels.
- Tyre size for Ford Cortina Mk4 (1976 to 1979) also used the standard 4.5J wheel fitted with the 165R13 tyre, but the optional wider 5.5J wheel was fitted to the Cortina fitted with the wider 185/70R13 tyre size, which has the same overall diameter. See full details of the superb period perfect 165HR13 and 185/70VR13 Blockley tyres suitable for the Mk4 Cortina at the links below.
- Note that no Ford Cortina was ever factory listed with the slightly smaller diameter 175/70R13 tyre, a size which did see use on another Ford model, but not any of the Cortina models, but we list this size below also because some Cortina owners have asked for this size. We have found that certainly the tyre manufacturers themselves, later on, put this 175/70R13 tyre size as suitable fitment for the Cortina Mk2 and Mk3 in their lists. In any case, Blockley produces this high speed rated excellent period correct 175/70VR13 tyre size also, in addition to every other tyre size the Ford Cortina used - see full details of all these tyres below:
- Remember for a 13" wheel size that Blockley also produces the 235/60VR13 tyre suitable for 5 1/2" rim (and can be fitted up to a 9" rim widths), should anyone be contemplating anything out of the ordinary!
