It was offered for sale by classic car specialists Anglia Car Auctions on 6th November 2022, in a condition that made it obvious a restoration had been started but stalled, apparently because the restorer had lost their storage facilities. 

The auction advertising photographs showed the sills were badly corroded, but that the difficult-to-source black and grey Cadiz fabric upholstery, which was standard on the Cortina S, was present and in sound condition. It was bought by Joseph Monaghan, of Monaghans, Galway, Ireland, a family-run car dealership that has been in business for over 50 years. He purchased the Cortina as a Christmas present for his father, Joseph Senior, because, colour aside, it was the same specification as his first car.

Monaghans’ bodyshop team stripped the Cortina and found it to be badly corroded, so had to do a lot of metalwork before repainting it. The mechanics, however, dismantled the engine and are sure the 20,149 miles showing on the odometer is genuine, as the condition of the dirty but unworn interior had indicated. The newly restored Cortina has created a lot of interest in the company’s showroom and gives Joseph Senior a great deal of pleasure.

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The first owner, Adolphus John Urvoy of St Helier, specified the wonderfully vibrant colour, optional light alloy road wheels, sunroof wind deflector, automatic transmission, Carello spotlights, and overrider-mounted headlamp washers. He covered only 37,000 miles before selling it to Alain Pinglaux on 21st April 1987.

Alain was an enthusiast who used the car for longer trips into Europe in the summer. But, because of Jersey’s warm climate, salt-free roads, and his diligence, the car remained in good condition, structurally, mechanically, and cosmetically.

Alain had the brakes rebuilt before offering it for sale in July 2022, at which point it had covered only 55,000 miles.

It was purchased by Dorset-based Ford collector and enthusiast Bruce Di Mario, who couldn’t resist buying the car unseen, because of its fantastic colour combination and high specification. Alain delivered it to Portsmouth, so Bruce was able to drive it home and arrived very pleased with his new purchase.

Since then, he has had the radiator re-cored, fitted a new twin-pipe exhaust system which was partially sourced in Germany, and new tyres. He has used the Cortina in his wedding car hire business, for which its dramatic hue and luxurious, tan-coloured Verona and Crushed Velour fabric trim, make it well suited.

We’ve only made 1,200 of these limited-edition die-cast Ford Cortina Mk4 Vanguards models. Secure yours today!

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