👉 Ford Corsair
➡️Overview:
- The Ford Corsair, originally known as the Ford Consul Corsair, was a mid-sized car produced by Ford UK. Introduced at the London Motor Show in October 1963, it was available as either a saloon or an estate from 1964 until 1970. The Corsair had bold styling for its day, featuring a sharp horizontal V-shaped crease at the very front of the car into which round headlights were inset. Let’s explore its features, performance, and legacy.
➡️Design and Styling:
- The Corsair was designed by the same team as the Mark 1 Cortina.
- Roy Brown Jr. oversaw the styling by Charles Thompson, and Fred Hart was in charge of the engineering.
- Replacing the Consul Classic range, it was essentially a long wheelbase re-skinned Cortina with extra soundproofing and more comfortable seating for high-speed long-distance driving.
- The windscreen and side windows were shared with the Cortina, while the mechanical components were similar to the Cortina GT.
➡️Engine Options:
The Corsair offered a variety of engine choices:
- 1.5L Pre-Crossflow I4 (1963–1965): The early models featured this engine.
- 1.7L Essex V4 (1965–1971): Introduced in 1965, this engine provided good performance for its time.
- 2.0L Essex V4 (1966–1971): Later versions of the Corsair featured this larger V4 engine.
➡️Performance:
- The Corsair’s performance was good for a car of its type and period.
- The later 2.0L V4 version achieved a top speed of 110 miles per hour (180 km/h) as measured by the speedometer.
- The progressive 28/36mm twin-choke Weber downdraught carburettor contributed to its performance.
➡️Rarity and Collectibility:
- The Corsair estate conversion produced by Abbott was stylish but more expensive than the Cortina estate.
- The two-door Corsair was never a big seller on the home market.
- The convertible version built by Crayford Engineering is now very rare and highly sought-after as a classic.
The Ford Corsair stands as a unique and memorable part of automotive history. 🌟
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Ford Corsair