Ford Cortina GT 1500- help with gauges

hi Gerard welcome to Retro Rides - I'm glad you worked out how to post.

To take out the instruments in front of the driver (the speedometer and tachometer) you need to undo the bezels that hold the light switch and wiper switch and also the larger bezel that holds in the ignition key switch and the windscreen washer switch on the other side. (you can get a special tool to undo the smaller bezels, but you can also use a screwdriver to knock them round if you are careful). When all the bezels are undone you can pull the panel forward (you may need to take off the steering column shroud for clearance) and then disconnect the wiring and speedometer cable and remove the whole unit. The two instruments come out in the same way as the smaller ones in the centre.

As standard the Mk1 Cortina does not have a fuse box - going from memory, there is an in-line fuse for the indicators (I think), but it has been a long time since I had a standard car - mine has been completely rewired with a modern fuse box.

good luck - I look forward to seeing pictures of your car

Cheers

Cortinaman

Be VERY careful with all of it!
70 year old plastics will be extremely brittle 🤞

Don't worry about it gege, we know what you mean 👍
Some early (60,s) fords didn't have a fusebox, my son's 1962 105e is the same
He's retro fitted a blade fuse box to the loom to be safe, not expensive or difficult, and a lot cheaper than replacing the loom , or the car.......😳

Good evening to all, here are finally the photos of the Cortina GT!

Good evening.

Gérard

when i bought it, my car had a woodrim wheel (which was standard in certain countries), so i swapped it for a Series 1 1600E wheel, for 2 main reasons. i think it matches the black dash a lot better and it´s better handling too.my white GT, had the same -standard- steering wheel as yours, which i like very much too.

Hi Gerard,

@"I can't get the support plate off the instrument panel, is it due to the meter cable only or is there another attachment point..."

unless it would have been modified it shouldn t have any other att.point. but as you already thought it sometimes helps tp push the speedo cable gently inside through the bulkhead to get better access (see pic of this scrapper)-good luck, Hans

Hi Hans, thanks for your answers, I'm going to try to push the meter cable in the hope that I don't have to disconnect it from the gearbox. I was wrong about the rudders, they are left like my Cortina and not right. I too have always loved the Cortina and especially the Lotus, but it is unaffordable in terms of price! I agree with you that the British vehicles are finished to a standard standard. A beautiful example is your Cortina's wooden dashboard. In Belgium, we are a little spoiled for vehicles over 50 years old, registration in ancestor (plate), 30 €! Circulation tax, €61.50 (once) annual circulation tax, €37.91. I was lucky for this car, it is in very good condition, just a little rust on the ends of the chassis behind the front wheels (to be repaired as soon as the weather is nice). I think you are lucky to live in a beautiful country like Austria. Do you find coins in Austria easily? Here, not easy for the Ford, unlike the old Triumph. Brake pads, Ferodo Italy (price 38 €), caliper pistons, 54 € + 48 € for shipping and customs clearance!!! Thank you Brexit.
A+
Gérard

Bonjour, je m'excuse de ne pas savoir utiliser le forum, j'envoies des messages dans tous les sens et je n'ai que très rarement une réponse. Cette méthode de communication est-elle la bonne? Je suis désespéré.
Bonjour à tous

Gégé