Greg's Cortina Mk1 GT Build
Restoring a 1966 Ford Cortina Mk1 GT
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categories
- Bodywork (19)
- Brakes (6)
- Car Show (2)
- Diff (2)
- Electrical (5)
- Engine (7)
- Exhaust (1)
- Fuel System (2)
- General (2)
- Interior (18)
- Parts (6)
- Steering (2)
- Suspension (10)
- Trim (8)
- Uncategorized (13)
- Wheels (2)
Build Diary
Every post from the restoration and beyond, newest first. Search the diary or browse below.
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Rust Repairs
Dropped in to Warwick’s on the weekend to check on the progress of the body work. Warwick has been busy and all the rust repairs have been completed and the new panels from Ex-pressed fitted. A couple were a good fit but most required a fair bit of fettling to fit well with some of…
Posted in Bodywork -
Diff and rear brakes
Started building up the rear brakes on the diff. Was a bit annoyed that when I pulled all my brake parts out that the Cortina Club had sent me one correct and one incorrect rear brake cylinder so I could only build up one side. Unfortunately I didn’t take any photos of the brakes when…
Posted in Uncategorized -
Body Shop
The car has now been at the body shop for a few months now. It’s been fully stripped. After inspection we determined that it would be best to order some new panels so I made a list and purchased a bunch of stuff from Expressed Panels in the UK. After about a month they arrived…
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Body Work
It’s been a while since I’ve posted as we’ve been selling our house. Today though the car headed off to the body shop. The plan is to sand and dust blast the body completely, make any repairs and then paint in the original silver metallic grey. First up will be the interior, underside and engine…
Posted in Uncategorized -
Suspension
I had Suspension Concepts at Wyong reset a set of rear leaf springs. They inverted the top leaf and added an extra leaf. It should sit a few inches lower now. They gave them a coat of paint but They still look pretty shabby so I think I’ll get them blasted and will paint them…
Posted in Suspension -
Steering Box & Interior
I decided to have a crack at rebuilding my steering box. I can see why I was warned not to! Spent a bit of time chasing ball bearings around the garage but ultimately got it all back together and shimmed up. Took the time to give it a clean up and will get it painted…
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Door Handles
I reassembled all my door handles on the weekend. The handles have been re-chromed and the internals re-plated. Due to the chroming process they didn’t go back as well as planned and a couple of holes will need to be re-drilled and tapped. I also dropped off my seat frames and new seat covers, sun…
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Heater box
Well it doesn’t actually have a heater so I’m not sure what it’s called. I’ve been told that GT’s are supposed to have heaters but mine doesn’t. Not surprising given the questionable quality control from the factory back then. Hard to believe that heaters were an optional extra back in the 60’s! Anyway, mine is…
Posted in Interior -
Door cards and seat covers
My new door cards and seat covers arrived this week from Aldridge Trimming in the UK. I unpacked the front door cards just to check them out and am very impressed with the quality. I had to send my rear seat covers to them as they had lost the pattern and I’ll get these out…
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Engine and Steering Wheel
My engine arrived on Friday. This is second time attempting delivery. The first was with TNT. Worst company ever to deal with and my advice to anyone contemplating sending something with special instructions via TNT is simple – DON’T! The second delivery with Star Track went much smoother. Getting it up and in my driveway…
Greg's Cortina Mk1 GT Build 