What must surely be the best MK1 Ford Cortina from 1963 is up for auction at Historics at Brooklands.

Historics offers for sale arguably the finest remaining 1963 Ford Cortina, that’s travelled an average of one mile-a-day in its 53 years

‘Exclusive’ isn’t a word that best describes the Mk. I Ford Cortina after sales that crested one million.  Nevertheless an early, immaculate, and very original example of the 1500 GT model that comes to sale at Historics at Brooklands major classic car auction near Weybridge on Saturday, August 20^th is a wholly different matter, having travelled an average of just one mile a day since it left the Dagenham factory 53 years ago.

Fitted with a tuned 1,498cc engine, the 1500 GT was the top specification model of the day, its  zesty 78bhp sufficient to propel the svelte four-door to 95mph, with a 0-60 acceleration time of just 14 seconds… leaving the Morris Oxford of the day some five seconds in its wake.

Despite its performance, when it appeared in the Ford showroom at a princely £748, this 1963 Cortina 1500 GT would have played second fiddle on the attention stakes to the fleet of Mk.I’s that starred in the saucy ‘Carry on Cabby’ film that screened at the time, helping to secure valuable awareness for Ford’s new model.  

However, since it was first registered on 4^th July 1963, the fastidious care and obsessive attention paid to it by its two owners – the last acquiring the car 27 years ago - makes this 19,244 warranted mile car arguably the finest and most original Mk.1 Cortina remaining today.

This multiple concours* winner, ARE 163A, features superb Goodwood Green coachwork, and the interior is utterly as-new. The dashboard, featuring the early strip speedometer and pod-mounted rev counter, has no age-related blemishes and the seating, trim and and original carpets are unmarked.  

Interested parties should note that the car is currently fitted with a period Les Leston Grand Prix steering wheel, and that the original is sold with the car.

The scene under-bonnet is delightful and exactly as it should be, and ditto beneath the car, where the condition is as fine as topside, with the jack and tools - spotless and polished - all present and correct.

The garage owner who has conducted the majority of the MoT tests has re-affirmed the car’s magnificent condition, adding that he recalled a time when the previous owner refused to drive the car home after the test as it was raining, choosing to walk instead. He collected the car three days later… when the roads were dry.

Very substantial interest at the estimate of £24,000-£28,000 is anticipated in acquiring this very rare, superb 1963 Ford Cortina 1500 GT in time-warp condition. 

It is one of the highlights of the sale of 140 fine classic motor cars and motorcycles, across a wide range of values, marques and eras, on Saturday, August 20^th by Historics at Brooklands Museum, Surrey, where all consignments can be viewed on the Thursday and Friday prior.

*The current vendor has shown the car at a number of events, unsurprisingly with great success. The following are just some of the awards it has won:

1990 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club - Concours winner

1991 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club - Best GT (National Rally)

1992 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club - Concours winner

Ford 1600E Owners Club, Visitors - Concours winner

Auto-Glym Concours 1960-1970 - Classic saloons winner

1995 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club (National Rally) - Concours winner

ITALY - First "Open House" for the new premium Alfa Romeo MiTo Racer - Looking Great.

Details sleek exterior and interior with a vintage features of the new version that aims to satisfy a customer more mature and with the latest trends. The price list starts at 18,700 Euros. "Open doors" this weekend in all Alfa Romeo dealerships.

Saturday 13 and Sunday, June 14 showrooms will host the first "open house" dedicated to the Alfa Romeo range and, in particular, the new MiTo Racer, a concentrate of style in vintage version that modern interpretation "street spirit" of the bikes They have made history.

Five body colors available, including the new Slate, which are matched to the refined treatment for bronze alloy wheels 17 "and the wing exterior mirrors. 

In addition, the new special set us apart from the stylish treatment Chrome satin finish for door handles and frames of the headlights and rear, as well as the sporty rear bumper, spoiler and chrome exhaust tailpipe. 

Last but not least, on request, is available the special "Sticker Racer chess bronze" to be placed on the roof of the car.

Even stronger personalization within the sports environment where dark is enhanced by new seats in gray fabric and brown leather, vintage effect, with seams in tone and Alfa Romeo written on the front headrests.

The leather with brown stitching is also reserved to cut sports steering wheel with radio controls, the shift boot and parking brake lever. 

A touch more classic taste is also noticeable in the adoption of written mats with Alfa Romeo and brown stitching, dashboard Street black and elegant chrome sill plate. 

Also standard manual air conditioning, cruise control, parking sensors and the UConnect infotainment system with touchscreen 5 "full Bluetooth interface connector Aux-in, USB port and voice commands (optional navigation function). 

Moreover, in the security field the MiTo Racer offers standard 7 airbags, the Alfa DNA system (with Q2 electronic differential and DST), the ESC system (including ASR and hill holder), fog lamps and tire pressure sensor.

Strong of a style that expresses sportiness and road manners that makes it a reference point recognized in the category, the new MiTo Racer offers a wide range of engines, all efficient, reliable, high-performance and environmentally friendly. 

Just like the award-winning TwinAir gasoline engine 0.9 Turbo 105 HP that stands out for brilliant temperament and low fuel consumption and emissions of CO2 in the combined cycle, they are respectively 4.2 l / 100km and 99 g / km. All without sacrificing performance: 184 km / h top speed and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 11.4 seconds.

For those who want more performance is available the 1.4 MultiAir Turbo 140 hp with automatic "Alfa TCT" which registered 250 Nm of torque at 2,500 revs / min, 209 km / h top speed and 8.1 seconds of acceleration 0 -100 km / h.

Complete the offer of motoring Racer MiTo petrol engine 1.4 78 bhp, with the turbodiesel 1.3 JTDM 85 HP, offers a unique opportunity to young drivers to drive an Alfa Romeo; and the engine bi-fuel 1.4 LPG Turbo 120 HP, an exciting powerhouse and technology that combines high-level performance with respect for the environment and low running costs.

The price list starts at 18,700 Euros for the 1.4 78 bhp petrol engine and reaches 22,550 euro for those equipped with the sparkling 120 bhp 1.4 Turbo LPG.

Translated by google - apologies for any errors.