Then and Now: Grantham Motor Company advertised new Cortina

In 1962 the Grantham Motor Company advertised the ‘New from Ford…the new small car with a big difference: the Consul Cortina!’, writes Ruth Crook, of Grantham Civic Society.

It said: ‘Enjoy small-car savings … bi-car everything else. The new Consul Cortina is a car to meet the needs of all Europe. It has the low initial cost of a small car; gives up to 40 mpg; Ford’s low-cost servicing facilities are available everywhere.

‘But from then on, what a difference! Not only is the Cortina big-car stylish with impressive continental lines… it has big-car ruggedness and easy five seater roominess. And power to spare in its brilliant new Anglia-derived 1200 cc engine.

‘Like Cortina quality, Cortina reliability is also built in. Solid. Prove all this as Ford did, drive it. Then you’ll agree; it’s the small car with a big difference, the new European car from Ford of Britain. Tax paid from £639.0.3. Prove it yourself – drive it yourself.’