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As motoring enthusiasts, we all have huge admiration for vintage vehicles, rare imports or sports cars. But it’s often the everyday cars from our own childhoods that have a special place in our affections.

No matter how young or old you are, you’ll remember Fords on the streets of your hometown. From Anglias to Zodiacs, the Ford range over the decades has been quite extraordinary. Many have lasted beautifully: at Lancaster, we arrange classic Ford insurance for countless Fords.

So which Ford model makes you go all misty-eyed? Jog your memory by reading all about our top 12 Fords in the UK from the 1960s to the 1980s.

 

1. Ford Prefect

This boxy beauty was launched in 1938, with the 107E mark produced from 1959 to 1961.

They were branded as deluxe, with many having a two-tone colour scheme, chrome trim, and leather upholstery as an optional extra.

Looking under the bonnet, the 107E had a 997cc overhead valve engine, a four-speed gearbox, and a worm-and-peg steering mechanism. On the roads, it could reach 73mph.

The Ford Prefect was the last model to retain Ford’s notorious vacuum windscreen wipers, which would grind to a halt on uphill journeys.

Drive a black Ford Prefect around London today and you might well get hailed – to the unfocused eye, they bear more than a passing resemblance to cabs.

However, as a insurance for classics specialist, we recommend you don’t let drunken revellers near your beautifully restored vehicle!

 

2. Ford Anglia

Despite its name, the Ford Anglia 105E has a distinctly American look, with its sweeping nose line, tail fins, and backwards slanting rear window.

It was the fourth iteration of the Anglia line that Ford had introduced in 1939.

The 105E saloon made its debut in 1959, and broke the Ford Motor Company record in 1960, when 191,752 Anglias were made at the Dagenham plant.

Two years later, an estate version was launched which cost £674 15s 3d, with a heater priced at £16 10s extra.

The Anglia 105E was Ford’s first model with electric windscreen wipers and a four-speed gearbox, though only a 997cc OHV engine.

If you remember the 1960s, you’ll recall these cars. If you’re younger, they may still be familiar from the first Harry Potter film. Sadly, they don’t really fly – but they are fun to drive.

3. Ford Zephyr/ Zodiac

The Zephyr was a series of executive cars introduced in 1950 as the largest in the Ford range.

The upmarket version was the Zodiac, and you might also come across the luxury Executive with its leather seats, wood dashboard, and sliding sunroof.

The Zephyr went through a few revamps, of which the most dramatic was in 1962, when it emerged as the Mark IV.

With their V-format engines, long bonnets and flashy looks, these were cars to be seen in! They were never common – but were striking enough that if you saw one, you’d remember it.

Perhaps a Zephyr-Zodiac was the car of your childhood dreams? Snap one up today and relive the style of the pre-Beatles era. Remember to contact Lancaster for a classic motor insurance quote.

 

4. Ford Cortina

This Ford was launched in 1962 and, in contrast to the Zephyr-Zodiacs, was aimed squarely at the mass market.

It was the best-selling car of the 1970s, with more than 2.8 million sold in the UK before production ceased in 1983.

It was designed to be cheap to produce and run. If you passed your test in the 1960s or 1970s, chances are high that it was your very first set of wheels!

There were five generations, with the biggest jump in 1970 between Mark II and Mark III - the first car produced after the Ford companies in Britain and Germany merged into Ford Europe.

Its distinctive “coke bottle” shape – flared fenders with a slightly narrower centre – put it ahead of its rival, the Vauxhall Cavalier, in the style stakes. It was considerably larger than its competitor or the Cortina Mk II as well.

Under the bonnet, 1.3-litre models had Kent engines, but 1.6 and 2-litre versions were powered by new overhead cam Pinto engines – a big step forward in engineering terms.

Another notable model was the Ford Consul Cortina GT launched in 1963 – the first Ford to bear the GT badge since the war.

Ford launched it with the tagline: “Pure Ford fire, neatly packed into the race-bred, over-square engine.” What an icon!

 

5. Ford Corsair

This neglected gem, with its sharp looks, was launched in 1963 to fill the gap in Ford’s range between the cheap and cheerful Cortina and the more exclusive Zephyr.

It was developed under the working title ‘Buccaneer’ and marketed at men who aspired to a lifestyle of glamour and adventure.

The early brochure proclaimed: “Corsair: once a brave adventurer of the high seas in an age as daring as our own.”

Don’t miss the hilarious “Dawn Rendezvous” launch film for the Deluxe version! How will today’s car ads be viewed in 50 years’ time?

Clearly, Britain in the 1960s was not home to many would-be James Bonds, for the Corsair never really took off. Production ceased in 1970.

As a classic, however, it’s got a certain cachet, with the convertible version particularly sought-after. If you get your hands on one, contact Lancaster for your classic corsair insurance.

 

6. Ford Escort

Hard to believe, but this nifty little motor has been around since 1968, when it replaced the popular Anglia.

In fact, there was an earlier Ford Escort, too, which really is a collector’s item. What we’re talking about here is the market-leading marvel that has achieved national treasure status in the UK.

Over 33 years of production, more than 4.1 million were sold in Britain, making it frequently the bestselling vehicle of the 1980s and 1990s.

The first generation had coke bottle styling, rear-wheel drive, a four-speed manual gearbox, and rack-and-pinion steering. Naturally, all that changed over the subsequent three decades!

Mark III saw the biggest redesign: it had front-wheel drive, a hatchback body, a more aerodynamic style, and vastly improved suspension. Ford marketed it under the tagline: “Simple is efficient.”

By the end of the last millennium, the Escort had been replaced by the Focus – a huge jump in engineering terms, whose early models are just now creeping into classic status themselves.

7. Ford Capri

With the Capri, launched in 1968, Ford was aiming to introduce an affordable slice of Mediterranean glamour to the UK.

This fastback coupé was mechanically based on the Cortina, with styling borrowed from the ever-popular American Ford Mustang. To keep it within the budgets of the average Brit, a variety of engines and trims were available.

The Capri became an era-defining car of the 1970s and early 1980s, with something of a ‘medallion man’ reputation!

It’s now definitely a cult classic. There are a number of limited edition Capris you can look out for, each with their own special appeal. Make sure you get classic insurance before you set out in your eye-catching motor to impress the ladies!

 

8. Ford Consul

The Consul is a confusing brand. There have been Ford Consul Zodiacs, Capris, Classics, and Corsairs, all produced between 1951 and 1962 and all eventually dropping the word ‘Consul’.

We’ve covered some of those already, but there was one more outing for the Consul name: a lower-spec Granada.

Due to a threatened lawsuit from media company Granada Group, Ford revived its old favourite for entry-level models in its Granada range in 1972. By 1975, the legal wrangling was over, the entire range adopted the Granada brand, and the Consul name was finally retired.

So, if you’re in the market for a Ford Consul, do your research and find out exactly what you’re buying! 

 

9. Ford Granada

So, what was the Granada? Introduced to replace the Zephyr-Zodiac as the large executive car in the Ford range, the first generation was available as a four-door saloon, five-door estate, and even two-door fastback coupé. Under the bonnet, 2-litre models used Essex V4 engines, while the 2.5 and 3-litre versions had Essex V6 units.

One major upgrade over the retired Zephyrs was the independent rear suspension, which gave the car excellent road holding and cornering ability. Critics praised its high speeds and acceleration capacity, too.

The Granada was a game-changer for Ford, allowing it to compete with Rover and Triumph in the executive car market. Granadas quickly became popular for business fleets, taxi firms, and the police – this was a serious car that meant business!

It is also iconic thanks to its starring role in TV cop show The Sweeney.  Versions you can pick up today may well have a fascinating history as a real-life police car – just think of the stories they could tell you!

Ford produced three generations of Granadas, and a huge number of variations in engines and trims, before retiring the marque in 1985. There’s bound to be one that has nostalgia appeal for you – make sure you get it covered with insurance for your classic car.

 

10. Ford Fiesta

Ah, Ford Fiestas! Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine a time when they weren’t zipping around our city streets. The first three generations of Fiestas were all around in the 1980s, with 1987 their best-selling year.

They were introduced in 1976 to meet the growing demand for smaller cars, partly due to the 1973 oil crisis, and had a very wide appeal.

They were nimble, easy to drive, and cheap to run – a winning combination for those who wanted a fun runabout.

One sales feature of the Fiesta Mk I was the boot’s low sill, making it easier to load. Advertising materials at the time said this point would be appreciated by women drivers doing the weekly shop!

That said, there were also hot hatchback models, and the 1980 Ford Fiesta Supersport is a rare classic today. If you find one of these, make sure you protect your investment with the right insurance.

Incredibly, Ford Fiestas are still in production, with the seventh generation launched in 2017.

11. Ford Orion

An Escort with a boot. That’s how motoring critics dismissed the Orion, produced between 1983 and 1993, and they had a point: it was a four-door saloon based on the Escort.

However, ordinary British drivers thought that extra boot space was a great idea, and the Orion was a top 10 bestseller between 1984 and 1990. Ford’s marketing even made a virtue of its understated nature, calling it “performance incognito”.

The Orion Ghia 1.6i standard also featured central locking, a sunroof, electric windows, and a tachometer – features that were positively space age for a small family car in the 1980s!

Its distinctive silhouette and ease of engine tuning make it a solid choice for classic Ford enthusiasts. Contact Lancaster for a classic vehicle insurance quote.

 

12. Ford Sierra

The last model that Ford launched in the UK in the 1980s was this large family car, envisaged as a replacement for the Cortina.

The Sierra’s aerodynamic styling was ahead of its time and earned it the nickname “jelly mould”. Perhaps you remember the general bewilderment with which it was greeted!

It proved something of a trailblazer, with other manufacturers copying its streamlined style. By the time of its second and third generations, its looks were no longer out of place, and it was selling well. It was replaced by the Mondeo in 1993.

Of course the most desirable Sierras were the RS Cosworths, but you’ll need very deep pockets to get your hands on one today. If you are lucky enough to find one, protecting it with classic car insurance should be one of the first things you do.

 

Get a quote from Lancaster today

There’s a Ford for everyone – and there’s an insurance policy for every Ford, arranged by Lancaster. We’ve been classic car insurance specialists for more than 35 years.

Benefits can include car club member discounts, limited mileage discounts, free 90-day EU cover, and laid-up cover.

We have a UK-based call centre and a 24-hour claims helpline, making it easy for you to manage your policy.

Whether you’re looking to cover a Capri, a Cortina or a Corsair, we can help. Get a quote from us today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.