Pride of Ownership: Will Wilson’s story

Lancaster Insurance is proud to introduce the second runner up of its Pride of Ownership 2025 award - a 1964 Ford Mk1 Cortina with a strong family link.  

Owned by Will Wilson, of Appleby, Cumbria, the Cortina has been by Will’s side for some of the most momentous milestones in his life – the birth of his daughter and his wedding day. 

“I have owned the car since 19th September 2022 – this is a date I will never forget as it was the day my daughter was born,” he says. Fate played an even bigger hand here, as the Cortina’s registration plate carried his daughter’s initials.

Will had long been searching for an original, largely untouched four-door project, something he could restore himself and bring back to its former glory. After it appeared at a nearby auction in Newcastle, Will bid on the car and won it two weeks later, while sitting in hospital with his partner awaiting the arrival of their first child.

“I was very pleased, however at that moment in time my partner didn’t share the same enthusiasm!” he laughs Will’s primary goal with the Cortina was to restore it in time for his wedding day. He began working on the car in spring 2023, and it was complete by autumn 2024 – just in time for the big day.

The Cortina has been restored to factory specification with a bare metal respray, full two-tone green retrim, and subtle upgrades including a 1600 Crossflow engine and banded steel wheels. 

Since the restoration, the car has won many awards, including Best Interior in the Top 50 at the Classic Ford Show, First in Class at the Cortina Nationals, a Concours Award at the Drivers Collection in Sheffield, and of course, second runner up in Lancaster’s Pride of Ownership competition.

But for Will, the greatest reward was knowing his beloved Cortina would become a family treasure, and one he hopes his daughter will use for her own wedding day in years to come.

Lancaster’s Pride of Ownership award recognises not only craftsmanship and dedication, but the stories that make classic cars so meaningful to their owners. The award is voted for by classic car enthusiasts who visited the Classic Motor Show in the autumn.  

Yvonne Gosney from Lancaster Insurance says: “This competition is an integral part of the show and a real highlight of the weekend for many visitors. There have been some outstanding winners and participants over the years, and we’ve loved hearing more about Will’s story. He has restored this gem to such a high standard, and it’s wonderful to hear the special part the Cortina has played in some of Will’s biggest life milestones, and hopefully, many more to come!”.

Applications for the 2026 Pride of Ownership awards are now open. You can find out more and enter here.