Some of you who know me will have realised, I have the attention span of a goldfish when it comes to my own cars, and I rarely keep anything more than 6-12 months.
For years I’d wanted a first generation Ford Mustang, and last autumn that particular itch was scratched with the acquisition of this very original 1966 Mustang. It was shipped over from California for me and I wasted no time picking it up as soon as it cleared customs.
For 9 months I enjoyed it, but soon started thinking about what to have next. So the Mustang got sold and I narrowed my search down to the cars of my youth and decided that something mainstream, British and 70’s-80’s was the way to go next.
I’ve previously owned a lot (and I do mean an awful lot) of cars from that era and didn’t really want another example of something I’d owned before. That ruled out Minis, MG’s, TR7’s, x/19’s, anything with GTE, GTi or XR something at the end of the name, Alfa Suds, Beetles, Capris, Escorts, Sierras, Cavaliers, Metros, Beemers, Scirocco’s, Rovers, Porsche 944s, Audi Coupe, Jetta, and even Skoda Estelles!
Was there a car my rose tinted 80’s glasses looked back on fondly?
Yes!
My first ‘proper’ job was as an Estate Agent. Back then (1983) my boss had a new company car – a shiny new silver Ford Cortina Crusader saloon!
Of course, a Cortina!
How could I have overlooked such a stalwart of British motoring?!
After some digging around though internet ads I finally found one that looked promising:
Now, at this point I need to say that this ‘reader’s ride’ thread may be slightly premature. I haven’t actually picked the car up yet, but have agreed the deal and paid a deposit. Plans are to pick the car up early next week.
It’s a Mk 5 Cortina Crusader Estate, but with quite a few differences to stock. Obvious things are the 15” rims and the headlight conversion, and colour change from the original crystal green to white and the missing Crusader stripes.
Inside is fairly standard, and a nice comfy place to be.
Less obvious are the lowered adjustable shocks and springs, the full stainless exhaust system, but the real fun is under the bonnet:
A well engineering engine swap with a re-built ST170 2.0 litre bolted to a type 9 gearbox. This makes the car ‘lively’ and far quicker than the standard Pinto, and is actually probably far more economical as well!
So, the plan is to get the car looking more like the standard Crusader it used to be, for that ‘street sleeper’ vibe.
Priority jobs:
• Swap the wheels for something less obvious and appropriate to an early 80’s Ford.
• Swap the front grill and LED angel eyes round lights for the standard oblong ones.
• Fit the two colour Crusader side and bonnet stripes.
I really don’t know much about Cortinas, but I know that a lot of you lot do. So I’m after any suggestions tips etc for parts suppliers, do’s and don’ts with Dagenhams Finest.
The guy I bought it from knew very little about it. He bought it to strip for parts for another project but then changed his mind.
Does anyone recognise the car, or know anything about it’s history or who built it?
For years I’d wanted a first generation Ford Mustang, and last autumn that particular itch was scratched with the acquisition of this very original 1966 Mustang. It was shipped over from California for me and I wasted no time picking it up as soon as it cleared customs.
For 9 months I enjoyed it, but soon started thinking about what to have next. So the Mustang got sold and I narrowed my search down to the cars of my youth and decided that something mainstream, British and 70’s-80’s was the way to go next.
I’ve previously owned a lot (and I do mean an awful lot) of cars from that era and didn’t really want another example of something I’d owned before. That ruled out Minis, MG’s, TR7’s, x/19’s, anything with GTE, GTi or XR something at the end of the name, Alfa Suds, Beetles, Capris, Escorts, Sierras, Cavaliers, Metros, Beemers, Scirocco’s, Rovers, Porsche 944s, Audi Coupe, Jetta, and even Skoda Estelles!
Was there a car my rose tinted 80’s glasses looked back on fondly?
Yes!
My first ‘proper’ job was as an Estate Agent. Back then (1983) my boss had a new company car – a shiny new silver Ford Cortina Crusader saloon!
Of course, a Cortina!
How could I have overlooked such a stalwart of British motoring?!
After some digging around though internet ads I finally found one that looked promising:
Now, at this point I need to say that this ‘reader’s ride’ thread may be slightly premature. I haven’t actually picked the car up yet, but have agreed the deal and paid a deposit. Plans are to pick the car up early next week.
It’s a Mk 5 Cortina Crusader Estate, but with quite a few differences to stock. Obvious things are the 15” rims and the headlight conversion, and colour change from the original crystal green to white and the missing Crusader stripes.
Inside is fairly standard, and a nice comfy place to be.
Less obvious are the lowered adjustable shocks and springs, the full stainless exhaust system, but the real fun is under the bonnet:
A well engineering engine swap with a re-built ST170 2.0 litre bolted to a type 9 gearbox. This makes the car ‘lively’ and far quicker than the standard Pinto, and is actually probably far more economical as well!
So, the plan is to get the car looking more like the standard Crusader it used to be, for that ‘street sleeper’ vibe.
Priority jobs:
• Swap the wheels for something less obvious and appropriate to an early 80’s Ford.
• Swap the front grill and LED angel eyes round lights for the standard oblong ones.
• Fit the two colour Crusader side and bonnet stripes.
I really don’t know much about Cortinas, but I know that a lot of you lot do. So I’m after any suggestions tips etc for parts suppliers, do’s and don’ts with Dagenhams Finest.
The guy I bought it from knew very little about it. He bought it to strip for parts for another project but then changed his mind.
Does anyone recognise the car, or know anything about it’s history or who built it?
