The Ford Consul Cortina Estate arrived in 1963, shortly after Ford of Britain launched the original Cortina saloon. Developed at Dagenham as an affordable, modern family car, the Cortina had been designed from the outset for mass production, competing directly with familiar British favourites such as the Morris Oxford and Vauxhall Victor. The Estate extended that idea to families and business users who needed considerably more carrying space without wanting something that looked or drove like a commercial vehicle.
That distinction was deliberate. Ford product-planning manager Terry Beckett explained at the time that the Estate was intended to look like an integral part of the Cortina range, rather than simply a saloon converted to carry more luggage. The result was a surprisingly elegant profile for such a practical car.
It proved equally at home carrying the family and luggage on holiday, hauling equipment for work, or serving as the company car of someone whose job occasionally involved rather more than a briefcase. The more luxurious Super Estate could even be ordered with distinctive American-inspired simulated wood trim along its sides and tailgate.
Built by Ford in Britain, the Mk1 Cortina Estate became part of the enormous success of the Cortina name. Practical, inexpensive and unmistakably of its time, it represents an era when the family estate really did have to do everything — weekday workhorse, shopping car and fully laden holiday transport — often all in the same week.
