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Finally bought a Mk1 Cortina, and its a GT, YAH!!
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:09 pm
by beast02
Well, i'm super excited today as I just bought my first Cortina. It's a 66' 2 door GT, white, all the chrome siding is on it. Spots of surface rust, only bad spot is one of the front shock towers, but the rest of the car is in fairly good condition. Now I just need to tow it home and get working on fixing it up and getting it running!
Plans are 2.0L Duratec, Mazda 6 speed manual. I'm going to keep the paint original, tidy things up. It won't be the prettiest at any shows, but from 50 feet it will for sure look good.
Pics to come once I get it home in a week. I was so excited to see it and buy it that I didn't take any pictures there.
-Bryan
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:31 pm
by zephyrgary
Good for you. Can't wait to see the pics
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:12 pm
by IFHP
Congratulations Bryan, where did you find this one (and what are you going to do with the existing engine and trans)?
Michael
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:18 pm
by beast02
Well it's actually in pieces, I think the block was rebuilt 26 years ago, but the engine was never fully put back together, so it needs a good go through, pistons looked pretty good though.
I'm either going to see if the guy will knock a couple hundred off the price and keep the stuff (he has a Lotus 7) or sell it off......I know the vintage racers like the pre-crossflow stuff.
So, if anyone is interested.......start letting me know now
-Bryan
Pics
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:33 pm
by beast02
Well here are some pics of the car. Passenger side is the worst as far as the body goes. I don't know how much of this i'll be able to fix. I'd like to keep from doing a complete tear down / rebuild.

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:32 am
by RS.Escort
Hey that looks great! If you are familliar with John McCoy down your way, he may be interested in the motor if it's a 1500.. he builds motors for vintage racers, and they are hard to find these days. The Duratec is a nice ambitious project, but having the 6 speed will be sweet. I have a Zetec for my Escort, just waiting for some time to sort it out..
One of my thoughts was to use the whole Miata drive train with the 6 speed in one of my cars.. The motors are quite robust, and have excellent torque, even the 1600. The oil pans are a bit of an issue, as Mazda doesn't make a front sump pan, but no problem is insurmountable!
Keep me posted on your progress.. I'm not too far from you ( Abbotsford )
Mark
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:40 pm
by angliagt
Looks like a good deal.You might want to
contact Steve Kovacs.He lives in Ferndale,&
has a MKI GT.
- Doug
Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:16 am
by beast02
Steve Kovacs and John McCoy I have both talked to (in my LOOONG search for a Cortina)
I should contact McCoy about the block and head though.
Duratec shouldn't be too tough. I've got the engine and have been working on building it and getting it ready for ITB's (made by me) and Megasquirt. I have a waterjet, steel fab, machine shop at my disposal at work, so it isn't too hard for me to get stuff designed and made as I need.
With the cost of a Duratec Bellhousing (English pounds to $) it is cost effective to just go with a 2006 up MX-5 tranny (i'll go with 6 speed if I can) and have it bolt right up as they are the same engine.
But for now....progress will probably be slow as its sitting at the In-laws =) and the new place i'm possibly renting might not even have a full garage to put the car in, doh! But it will have a shop where I can work on other stuff...
Anyway, I hope to get more pics up when I can get a few better ones.
-Bryan
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:46 am
by 66gt
Congrats Bryan I knew you would find a GT!
I would be interested in the block if you want to sell it, let me know. Also, if you need any help with your car I'm close if you still live in Bellingham so give me a call.
Steve
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:50 am
by 66gt
Bryan,
If you will be needing a front grill I might have a spare for you.
Steve-
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:00 am
by beast02
Steve, thanks for the offer. I actually moved further south, I'm in Everett, soon to be Snohomish. So, unfortunately a little far to take you up on your offer to help!
I would be interested in your grille. I'm not in a super hurry for those parts yet, but I suppose I should start stocking up on what I can find when I find it!
I would be interested in selling the block if you want it.
Any pictures of your car? If I recall, it also is a 66white GT?
-Bryan
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:12 am
by 66gt
Hey Bryan,
Not to far if you need help....there is a few people down in south Seattle that I give a hand to now and then they have Mini's and Anglias.
How much for the block? I will try to post a picture of my red GT when I can get a chance.
Steve-
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:32 am
by beast02
Steve,
I'd like $400 for the block/crank/pistons(new). If you want to sell the grill you have, we could knock that down.
Let me know.
-Bryan
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 11:35 am
by 66gt
Bryan-
I'm still interested in some trade for the block/crank/pistons lost your info on the computer (my kids) give me a PM and we can talk.
I still have that nice grill to trade with.
Steve
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:06 am
by beast02
Steve,
I hadn't heard from you in quite a while and needed the $ to fund purchasing the 6-speed for my car. The engine ended up getting sold to another Steve in Seattle.
I am still interested in the Grille, though since I need to focus on Mechanical bits right now to get the car running, I should hold off on buying it since making the car look good will come after all of that work.
Hows your GT coming along?
-Bryan