Attn; Cortina experts

zephyrgary · Post by **zephyrgary** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:37 pm

I saw this Mk 1 on Ebay UK which claims to have an "export" shell,something that i have never seen or heard of.To bolster that claim,the vendor shows a picture of under hood [bonnet] struts.Again not something I have seen before.Is this for real,or is it a bit of blarney?
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canzus · Post by **canzus** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 6:30 pm

They look like Capri strut tops without the crank retainers, this isn't a great
picture, but you get the idea...

zephyrgary · Post by **zephyrgary** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:50 pm

Perhaps I should have been a little clearer.I was referring to the metal bracing struts that go from the bulkhead to the inner fender.Are they original,or were they added on.I have not seen them before.
Cheers

105epaul · Post by **105epaul** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:06 am

Gary,

I have heard of heavy duty shells for export where there may be a lot of rough and unmade roads. The African continent and the outback of Australia spring to mind as examples. It is very possible that the inner fender braces are factory fitted for rougher terrain although I can't verify it. The Cortina was the first 'lightweight' unibody Ford and they would have had that in mind when building cars for export to say the Middle East.

Paul

zephyrgary · Post by **zephyrgary** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:05 pm

Hi Paul
I too have heard of them but in all my years I have never seen one.I have a lot of automotive books,I have read car mags for 35 years and I still have never seen one until that pic.I just feel it is one of those "pub expert" myths.I was hoping for a definitive answer.
cheers

105epaul · Post by **105epaul** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:13 pm

Sorry I couldn't give a definitive answer but like you I ain't ever seen one. Then again I haven't been looking that hard! I don't think it's a pub myth though. I've also heard of Mk1/2 Escort 'export' shells for rougher countries. It does make sense and there are usually quite a few differences on export cars. As an example export Mk1 GT Cortinas had the same trim on the sides as the home market Supers. Likewise export Thames 400E vans had opening vents in the front panel which the Uk version did not. If I ever get to visit the Ford Heritage Centre at Dagenham in my Anglia I'll have to remember to ask the chaps there about export braces.
Cheers

Paul

zephyrgary · Post by **zephyrgary** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:24 pm

Thanks Paul,I appreciate it.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:36 am

Yes this is an export part but not all export cars got them. Corsairs had the same bit. Also a engine crossmember was available that had extended ends with a rubber bump stop over the track control arms. These parts are in parts books body section. Paul PRO Corsair Club

Post by **peteleo** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:01 am

I checked the Cortina parts list pg 595 and found the the part # for the brace as 113E-16296/7. No picture of the brace. I never knew that part was available for any MK1 including LC.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:06 pm

From pictures Iv'e seen of Cortinas in Australia there appears to be two stlyles of brace as well. Paul