1963 Ford Cortina Deluxe 1200 |

Closed Auction- Unsold

1963 Ford Cortina Deluxe 1200

This auction has now closed - click 'Register Similar' below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Mileage~37,532 on clock
Transmission4-Speed Manual
Engine1.2L
LocationGoring, Berkshire

AUCTION CLOSED

1963 Ford Cortina Deluxe 1200

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Photographer and Editor

The Cortina is a much loved workhorse that offers a blend of style, simplicity, and practicality.

Created as the "everyman’s car", the first-generation Ford Cortina was released in 1962 and soon became ubiquitous on British roads, appealing to those who appreciated its durability and ease of maintenance. Sold with the proven and tuneable Kent OHV engines, the Cortina was perfectly suited as a family car and admired for its no-nonsense practicality, comfort and impressive interior space.

Originally launched as the Consul Cortina, post-1964 models were simply known as Cortina. Demonstrating Ford's capacity to offer the car with an impressive selection of optional extras, this model was fitted with a heater and bench seat with a column gear shift. These early versions are recognisable by the elliptical front side lights and strip speedometer.

Registered in June 1963, this 4-door deluxe model is finished in maroon and has a black leatherette/cloth interior with the first owner having kept the car for 30 years, having only covered ~25,000 miles in the time. Despite qualifying for MOT-exempt status, it has an MOT certificate to January 2026 and comes to market after ~3 years with our vendor and was last serviced in 2022, it has its handbooks, manuals, a few spares and two keys.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting George the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

Driving the Cortina released a lot of treasured experiences!

George bought the Cortina in 2022, as it was identical to the one he learned to drive in. Following the purchase, George sorted out a few of the cosmetic and mechanical issues, which included the overhaul of its brakes and a new fuel tank and placing an MOT on the car despite its exemption.

George has not used it much due to his preference for automatic transmission cars and has decided to sell it for this reason.

George will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

George

Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER

Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Solid with a lot of original metalwork, this example has been in the hands of enthusiasts since new.

Wheels and Tyres

The steel wheels and hubcaps are presentable with minor signs of age. One hubcap will need an adjustment to stay on.

The tyres are branded Courier and Riken and are over 20 years old, but are free of outside sidewall damage and have plenty of tread.

Bodywork

The exterior looks good, the car has acceptable shut lines and its doors open and close well.

The nearside front wing, nearside rear passenger door and driver's door have paint cracks / marks, which may suggest under-paint damage. The wheel arch lips show mild signs of age.

The overall structure of the car is positive; the engine bay, chassis rails, boot floor, wheel wells and floor pan all look solid, the underside of the car is solid and not welded, you can see this near the end of the On The Road/Mechanical Review video.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The maroon paint has a positive lustre but we spotted mildly mismatched colour patches in places. It shows signs of minor orange peeling and the occasional blemish but generally free of road wear.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass and lights are in good shape, and its seals are decent.

The chrome trim is complete, and the grille and front bumper show age-related wear but retain their lustre.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Authenticity runs true throughout this Cortina and retains much of its original interior fittings.

Seats and Carpets

The vinyl / cloth seats are in good shape and super comfy.

We spotted a fabric split on the passenger side and tear damage behind the driver's side.

The car has three sets of front lap seat belts.

The one-piece rubber matt is in decent condition and the boot also has a rubber mat and like the cabin, is bone dry, George told us these are completely original and very difficult to replace today.

Dashboard

The dashboard top and base certainly show its 60-odd years of exposure but this is balanced by decent dashboard metalwork and facia trim. An aftermarket oil pressure dial has been fitted but is not operational. The dials and switches have lasted well, the strip speedometer is legible and operational.

The front door cards are distorted and discoloured but look salvageable.

The headlining is in good condition, having been replaced in 2010.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The column gear shifter, steering wheel and assembly show typical age-related wear but add to the authentic feel of the cabin.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The car cruises along with a delightful smoothness and composure.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine starts up with a generous amount of choke, once settled the engine idles smoothly with no exhaust blowing or popping. All dashboard warning lights remained off during the start-up procedure and test drive. The engine also started up straight away when warm and we didn’t see any oil or water leaks during our visit, George told us the oil leak mentioned on the latest MOT has been addressed.

The engine presentation shows a routine of maintenance - the hoses and ancillaries look good. There is the expected element of paint loss on some metal components and could be an ideal task for someone to cosmetically improve, George told us everything under the bonnet is original as far as he is aware including the pump operated screen wash bag.

The gearbox is operated via a steering column mount. It is effective in use and is precise and slick in use.

George is happy with the feel of the clutch.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension tackles the road with confidence, free of loud knocks, squeaks or thuds heard at low speeds.

The car has all-round drum brakes but they operate without any trouble, slowing the car smoothly without any grinds or judders.

The Drive

The Cortina was one of the first family cars to have been developed for the recently built motorway network, and the refinement of the engine and smoothness of travel still impresses. A spacious airy cabin complements its relaxed driving experience and suggests that the chassis was destined for greater things.

The revvy 1197cc three-bearing version of the 1-litre Kent engine has plenty of urge and pulls well, with no unwanted tapping or clonks. We took the car for a 40 mph run along the backroads of Berkshire, with inclines and bends and the ride remained compliant and comfortable.

The steering is free of knocks and vibrations.

The engine temperature remained in check, the fan has an old-fashioned direct belt driven fan that you can see in the video, so spins all the time, George hasn’t reported any issues with the reliability.

Electrics and Other

The car is fitted with a new fuel tank and has seen work on its bushes and braking over the last three years.

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History and Paperwork

The first owner kept it for an impressive 30 years and it comes with a file full of recent maintenance invoices.

First registered in June 1963, the car comes with documentation from the DVLA documenting its first 5 ownership profiles, which includes its first owner who retained the car for its first ~30 years, appearing to have only covered ~25,000 miles over that period. It has since passed into the hands of several enthusiasts who have added just ~13,000 miles since then.

In the last three years, £1,400 has been spent on a clutch rebuild, all new wheel cylinders, front suspension bushes, brake master cylinder, new engine mounts, front brakes repairs, rear brake shoes, flexible hoses and a new fuel tank. Before this, the car had a batch of invoices for engine and running gear items, headlining, screen rubbers, a new battery and exhaust.

It has MOT certificates back to 1993, period handbooks and owner manuals, spare hoses, belts, air filters and service items. An oil service was also carried out in 2022. It has an MOT to January 2026 and two keys.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
23-01-2025	MOT	37,522
24-10-2022	Oil service + Filter
18-10-2017	MOT	36,690
11-08-2016	MOT	36,326
07-08-2015	MOT	35,924
20-08-2014	MOT	35,636
02-08-2013	MOT	35,397
19-07-2012	MOT	34,945
21-07-2011	MOT	34,594
28-07-2010	MOT	33,895
19-05-2009	MOT	32,953
03-06-2008	MOT	31,937
23-05-2007	MOT	31,789
13-10-2005	MOT	31,707
21-10-2004	MOT	31,634
31-10-2003	MOT	30,604
03-12-1999	MOT	30,476
10-08-1993	MOT	24,931