Meet the Owner - Sean Puckle and his Ford Cortina Ghia MK.IV
3rd August, 2020
It would be fair to say that Sean is a long-term Cortina devotee – ‘I’ve had loads back in the day. In recent years I had a Concours 1600E Mk. II and I sild a lovely P reg 2000E last year, so this Ghia replaced it. I must always have a Cortina in my life - it’s like putting on an old slipper!’
Of course, such a splendid example of the Mk. IV could never be compared with any form of footwear, for in the late 1970s a Ghia informed the world that you have finally achieved the rank of sales manager and so merited company transport with a vinyl roof as standard equipment. And your neighbours would be equally impressed by the tinted glass, “Ford push button radio”, and “Crushed Velour” upholstery.
When UK sales of the Mk. IV commenced in late 1976 it was the first Cortina to wear the Ghia name and the fourth British Ford: the flagship Capri, Granada and Escort already bore the shield badge.
The cost of such extravagance was £3,208.47 (plus an additional £91 for a sliding roof) – but then what price for social distinction? When Autocar published their test of the Ghia on 2nd October 1976 they thought it was ‘a car that drivers will readily take to, and that in itself (let alone several other virtues) will make the salesman’s job an easy one’.
From a dealer’s perspective, the ultimate Cortina was better appointed than a Vauxhall Cavalier GL, more up-to-the-minute than a Morris Marina S2 HL saloon and less antique-looking than the Chrysler Hunter.
The Ford was also far more conventional than the FWD five-door Austin Maxi and Chrysler Alpine – which was a distinct advantage to a fleet manager.
Ford was surprised by the popularity of the 2-litre Cortinas but the Mk. IV appears to suffer from a limited survival rate, not helped by a production run of just three years. Sean encountered GYD 355 T:
“by pure chance. I arranged a gathering of a few specialist cars at a local pub, was talking to one of the guys I invited & mentioned I was looking for another Cortina as I sold my 2000E last year.
He said he had one in his collection, had too many cars, so he was happy to let me have a look at it. He wanted it to go to a good home and knew I would look after it.”
Naturally, the public reaction to the Ford modestly promoted as ‘one of the most luxurious and practical cars in Europe’ is immense.
“I also have a Sierra Cosworth & this gets more attention, people point, wave, flash lights, toot horn, it seems to have so much love and respect”. This particular Ghia “was supplied new by Passey & Porter who were the Ford main dealer in Weston Super Mare so it wears a Somerset registration “YD”. I have just managed to source the rear window dealer sticker and tax disc holder”.
On the road, Sean finds the four-speed transmission akin to “stepping back in time. Ford always did make a great gearbox, so it’s easy to use and drive”. And to see the Puckle Ghia in all its splendour really is to be transported back to an era when ownership of a LED digital watch and dining every Friday night at the local trattoria was the height of good living.
Plus, of course, a Cortina with a vinyl roof parked in the driveway.
WITH THANKS TO: SEAN PUCKLE
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