The Ford Cortina 2.3S - “Performance in a Car That’s Built to Last”

We recently described the many attractions of Hall 8 of the 2025 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, where one of the stars was a Ford Cortina 2.3S Mk. IV in all its orange magnificence. Any Cortina S has the power to turn heads – a 2.3S has the power to cause double and triple-takes.

The custodian of this ultra-rare machine – just two examples of the Ford Cortina 2.3S Mk. IV are believed to remain on the road in this country – is Jim Aldridge. He started re-building the Cortina for its owner, who lives in Spain, and it would be fair to say the orange 2.3S caused quite a stir at the NEC.

Ford GB launched the Cortina Mk. IV in 1976, and by September of 1977, the GL, the S and the Ghia were available with the 2.3-litre V6 ‘Cologne’ engine from the new Granada Mk. II. Dagenham had noted the early popularity of the 2-litre versions while the V6 plant was only 64lbs heavier than its 2-litre stablemate. In addition, recent government legislation meant that business customers might look for sub-3-litre company cars for their senior managers.

The advertisements promised “Performance in a Car That’s Built to Last” and the 2.3S was a very appealing package. Naturally, it sported the “special sports suspension, gas shock absorbers, sports road wheels with rim embellishers and 185 SR 13 low profile tyres” of the 2.0S. Inside, the seats were upholstered in “Cadiz fabric with contrasting colour stripes” while “In the sound department, there's a Ford push-button radio”. Plus, the 2.3S had power-assisted steering as standard, while the top speed was 109 mph.

The 2.3S cost £4,126.20 at launch, compared with £3,678 for the 2.0S. As for potential rivals, the Triumph Dolomite Sprint was more expensive at £4,643, smaller than the Cortina and had only four cylinders. Nor, as your friendly local Ford dealer would tell you, was there an equivalent version of the Chrysler Hunter or the Morris Marina. 

Within the Ford line-up, the Granada 2.3L was £4,391, but that was a larger, non-sporting saloon, while the £3,900 Datsun 200L Six was more of a suburban status symbol. Perhaps the nearest rival to the Cortina 2.3S was the Vauxhall VX 490 FE, which was decidedly quick, and had a five-speed gearbox, but was a ‘Big Four’, slightly more expensive at £4,261, and had a passé image by 1977.

Autocar thought: “Performance assessment will have to await a lull Road Test but, having driven both Cortina and Granada models, with the same engine on the same day, one can say that the Cortina will comfortably outperform its big brother”. They also found that power-assisted steering meant that the V6 model “feels just like a normal Cortina to drive and decidedly better to manoeuvre at low speeds”.

The Cologne engine continued to be available on the 1979 Cortina Mk.V, although Ford dropped the S trim level in favour of an ‘S’ option pack. The 2.3-litre Mk. IV was never a major seller for Dagenham, but owners praised its torque, smoothness and refinement. Jim observes that he owns many Cortinas and the difference between the power-assisted 2.3S and its non-PAS stablemates is vast - “It feels much more modern to drive”.

The V6 models also enhanced the image of the UK’s most popular car, which the status the Cortina held from 1972- 1981. Plus, it is very hard to resist any car with Cadiz fabric upholstery.

With Thanks To: Jim Aldridge