This is the car I learned to drive in! My Dad had a 1966 Corsair in Sea Foam Blue. I did so many jobs on this car. The V4 1700cc engine was great in my opinion. It's much easier to sound the horn if you press the ring, rather than the centre boss :) Thanks for the nostalgia trip Steph!
Passed my driving test at 18 in 1967 got home and asked my dad for the keys to his new Corsair V4. He, to my surprise, handed them to me. He had kittens while i was out. Came back safe no dramas. Bought a second hand Ford Anglia 100e the following week. Kept my dad happy. Great video brought back memories.
@@johno4521 No completely different, first visual difference is the Ford 'Koln' engine had the distributor at the rear , the Ford 'Essex' engine distributor was at the front. Some say the Koln (Cologne) engine had the German build qualities we all admire.
Hi Steph, at last someone who loves the Corsair as much as me. I was lucky enough to have a 2000E in classic silver fox with black vinyl roof as my first car, was my uncle's from new, then my father's, before coming to me. I loved that car!!! A very well balanced design, stylish comfortable interior, with the thickest pile carpet. Masses of torque from the V4 and a wonderfully fullu throaty, charismatic exhaust note. I used to just sit and listen to it burbling away. You could hustle it through the corners and it would leave contemporary vehicles in the rear view mirror thanks to the Weber twin choke. Fully restored mine in the 1980's - just beautiful! RWJ 290F
With that reg number your car would've been registered in Sheffield and if my memory serves me well we had 3 main Ford dealers TC Harrisons, Brook Shaw and Kennings Ford, my old mates father was a salesman for Kennings and i can remember going on holiday with them in a metallic green Mk 2 Cortina 1.6 again with black vinyl seats great memories.
@@neiltaylor5588 Hi Neal, it certainly was from Sheffield, sold new to Edgar Allen, where my uncle worked, by TC Harrison's. That Cortina made a good impression on you - uncle's son had a 1600E at the same time in unusual rose/mushroom metallic paint. The great days of Ford's eh!
Our neighbour had one of these, in bottle green. The other next door neighbour had a Mk3 Zephyr 6. We had a Morris Minor 1000. As a 5 year old in 1964 I learned about car envy. Thanks Steph for another brill video.
Hidden user 5705 I know what you mean. Ours wasn’t even a 1000. Just an old sidevalve One of my friends father bought a brand new V6 Capri and pulled the motor and hotted it up. Sod.
My dad had a 1970 1700 sprayed in fiesta red. As a kid. Loved the v4 sound, the door cards that covered the doors, petrol filler behind the number plate and the round clocks in the wooden dash. It got t boned in 1976 and my dad was very lucky. His mate shortly after got 2000E Corsair with the Zodiac wheel trims. That car sounded awesome and was like shit off a shovel. It failed it's not in 1979 and put the engine in a 1975 transit. With the twin choke carbs it was the fastest van ever. He converted it into a caravanette and lasted until 1988. Happy ford memories
@@idriveaclassic after the accident he did not drive for 12 months. And in 1977 bought a blaze 1973 mini 850 which ended up being mine in 1984 at 16. Done up as a cooper, passed my test and killed it in 6 months. I was a complete hooligan. I would of repaired but too much went at the same time.
Fantastic re-appropriation. My uncle Jeff had a brown 2000E estate one. Took me out a few times in it as a small child. I really loved it. Apparently he had an accident in it, don't remember that but I remember a Datsun 100 A on an N or P reg appearing in the drive.
Thanks for the wonderful video, which brought back so many lovely memories of the 1600cc one that I owned in the late 60's. I also loved the quiet smooth ride and the thin upright windscreen pillars that didn't block visibility at roundabouts and junctions. The bonnet being in view was so good for judging the width of the car and for aiming. The unassisted steering was so positive and direct, unlike the awful dead powered steering with no feel that we have in modern cars. I dislike most modern cars with drop away aerodynamic bonnets and thick steeply angled windscreen pillars that obstruct the view. The suspension of classic cars were tuned for comfort, unlike most modern cars that have firm suspension that make you feel every bump and pot hole. I am 78 and last year passed my advance test. I yearn to buy a new modern car with a bonnet that I can see, slim windscreen pillars, a suspension that smooths the bumps, steering that is direct with 'feel', a quiet engine, no road roar from the tyres and not wider than 1800mm, but I don't believe that they make them any more. Thanks again!
Ooh lovely! Another old favourite of mine . There were two in regular use in my neighbourhood up to the late 80's. Beautiful car and very enjoyable video Steph 👍
Great video and great car. Both my dad and older brother each had one of these. Dads was light blue and brothers was white.. This takes me back a bit, travelling in the back of dads V4 from Brum to Great Yarmouth for a weeks holiday in September. 67, this was the high-life on holiday in September taking advantage of the extra weeks holiday that factory workers were awarded in the late 60’s. Prior to this they were only allowed two weeks holiday in July/August. Keep up the great videos.
I had a Corsair 2000 deluxe, NDV 631G in dark blue, beautiful car to drive, loads of torque from the V4. Fitted electronic ignition, never had a problem starting like other Fords. Loved that car.
Robert Morley maybe that’s because he didn’t have electronic ignition fitted, Fords were prone to bad starting so was a no brainier, worked so well, also good for security, could switch it off easily
Hi there, My Dad had a navy blue Corsair 1700 in 1978 for nearly 2 years and ran it on gas. He then put a 2000 corsair engine into it which he liked. Then I pleaded with him not to scrap it.....which he did! Why would he listen to a 11 year old??? In September 2005 I went over to Leeds and bought a Mink blue 2000E and brought it back home to Ireland. My first classic car! Dad looked in amazement and admitted that he should never have got rid of his one! I forgave him! Hitting the Victorian age of 57!!!! Thanks for the video Patrick.
Great video, Steph. I've always loved the Corsair since my Dad had a '65 1500 when I was a nipper. I bought a '68 2000E for £280 as my first car when I was 18. Good times!
Thanks for this brilliant review, when I was 5 my dad bought one of these when it was 5 years old too, it was a 1968 2ltr V4 automatic with a bench seat at the front. He kept it until I was 17 and upgraded to a cortina estate but I’m miss it so much. I remember the wing mirrors being on the actual wings at the front at the time. I learned my engine craft on it, It was a great car and my dad and I often had the engine out on the bench for all sorts of rebuild work. I wish I had one now.
*There was one in the 60's (V4 Corsair) owned by the Company I worked for and the engine 'blew up' whilst I was driving it (around 80mph) on the M1 near Nottingham. Car had only covered less than 20k miles.*
Not what they were cracked up to be...they were sluggish and not very refined. A tester at the time famously commented having driven a V4 example that it shook the glass out of his wristwatch...
I owned one of these. It was amazing. Mine was metallic. I toured Scotland in mine. They were so easy to work on. I replaced the selector forks in the gearbox in no time. I still have a photo of it. Thanks for posting.
My Dad drove a 2.0 V4 back in 69. As a very small child I absolutely loved it and always thought of the design back then through my childhood brain as being very futuristic. The best memory I have however is my dad getting it Resprayed to a deep navy and with the leftover paint my little metal pedal car was resprayed also. I was chuffed parking it beside Dad's Corsair.
I love watching your videos they always remind me of my grandad's cars especially the Rover 3.5 that was a luxury vehicle and I am now 55 year old can I wish you a Happy Christmas and keep up lovely videos x
Absolutely love the Corsair - loved it back in 1963 as a kid too. I liked the rectangular horn ring on the earliest models. My brother had 2 of these - both 1500 GTs. The first he owned in the mid 70s, the second he owned in the early 90s. They had the earlier interior with the strip speedometer.They were quick, handled well and really comfortable as well as stylish to look at. The 2000E was a cracking car - luxurious and rapid too. I'd love one of those. Great review as always!
Nice to see a Corsair in it's home country. I've restored a 66 2litre V4 for my daughter, it's a 2 door i've modified it with a few extras such as a rev counter and a centre consol from a GT which a friend of mine managed to find in the UK. It is also modified with 7,5x13 inch Rostyle wheels. Keep up your good work, I really like your channel. Dan Eriksson Sweden
Underrated, overlooked, and overshadowed- a neighbour of ours had a V4 with a vinyl roof - purple it was and it sounded sooo good ! What a great car ! I love your reviews Steph !
V4 - So only 'Half a Burble?' But the Ford Engine kept SAAB going! - Closely followed by the Triumph Sodomite Engine! - Which was then given the added badge of 'TURBO!'
Hi Steph, I'm new to your channel. You are taking me back to my youth. I have been in almost all the cars you are showing. My father came home with a new car every week including a V4 Corsair . My favourite Ford was a 1600E in Aubergine with a black vinyl roof. It was brilliant and I remember when he raced a Capri and won. I think we hit 110 MPH with 3 people in the car. How mad we were in my time. My father ended up with a mini cooper but he was a pilot and liked the handling.
Our first family holiday abroad in 1968 was to Austria in a 1963 Corsair 1500. My dad bought it second-hand fom Dees in Croydon, as a step up from a 1952 Consul. The Corsair was two-tone: grey with a cream-coloured roof, red vinyl interior, and individual front seats - the ultímate in modernity, as far as we were concerned. Great excitement on fitting the yellow headlamp deflectors in preparation for a real aventure. Great car; great memories!
Thanx Steph for a great vid,,used to see loads of these in the 70s growing up in London,normally Maroon even a friend's dad had a Maroon one with grey interior,,didn't like them then but luv them now,,as always Thanx for a fantastic vid,,
Nice video Steph,my uncle had one of these in Jamaica in the '70's. Brings back memories. I've not seen any in Canada but we did have the Capri and Cortina. The Capri and Cortina were also popular in Jamaica and the other West Indian islands. The Capri especially was raced a lot in the islands due to the good power to weight ratio. Stay safe and have a wonderful God blessed day.
The Corsair was popular in the Jamaican community Paul, my uncle had one. I personally love the the American Ford Thunderbird V8 which the British Corsair is modeled on.
I'll never forget when i was a youngster, my dad brought me a little red pedal car which was a Ford corsair. I loved it and had it for a fair while until we all decided to go for a drive up the coast. My pedal car was tied onto the roof rack, half way to the beach a sudden gust of wind and my pedal car came flying off and ended up in bits.. i was heartbroken and cried for ages... my dad had a blue saloon which was an automatic column change.
I bought a 1964, 1500 straight 4 in white in 1971 for £10. Workmates queued up to gasp at how little I'd paid. A mate's Dad sold it to me as it had broke down. New plugs and some petrol and ran like a dream. Loved the cigar shape - what a stylish car for the time!
Great looking car my dad had one in maroon. Very underrated my family were Ford through the fifties and sixties and I later worked with the Vauxhall brand for 30 years happy days! Great review I think you want a Corsair now! Keep up the great reviews!
My dad had a silver Corsair V4 automatic GNH 334E. It was a lovely car, though one of my earliest memories of it was when we drove to see my grandparents and suddenly the front of the car was enveloped in a cloud of steam as the engine overheated. We stopped in the central reservation of a road that was being widened while Dad waited for the radiator to cool down enough to add some water. It was also that car which suddenly decided to go into second gear on the motorway so dad had to swerve onto the hard shoulder as soon as he could to prevent the engine over-revving. But apart from those reliability/manufacturing faults, it was great. I loved the pull-down rear numberplace that concealed the fuel filler (non-lockable, as was normal in those days) and the "silver" pull-out handbrake. And the column automatic gear selector lever. I *think* despite the column change and the under-dashboard handbrake, the car had two separate seats rather than a bench seat. And that V-shaped front end (with embedded headlights) and the iconic dished rear lights were lovely. I'd forgotten about the chrome trim on the doors which doubled as the door handles. His later cars - a series of Hillman Hunters - seemed a bit staid after the Corsair.
Super review, as always Steph. That's a lovely example of the Corsair. I always thought that they were sadly overlooked! A great shame. (My dad worked for an engineering firm who created the steering wheel dyes for Ford, so you were using one of my dad's wheels there.) Thanks again.
I loved the Corsair, the styling was so america, so sharp and the colours and the interiors were fabulous. For some reason almost all of them had indicators that flashed far to fast like they had a blwn bulb or a dodgy relay. Problem for me was that my Dad hated Fords and Austin/Morris. He only ever considered Hillmans. Great video as per, glad you liked the drive.
My first car was a 63/ 64 1500 deluxe in Aqua blue. Didn't have the posh wood dashboard like yours. Loved that car. Superb gearbox. Lots of space under the bonnet to work on it.
My dad had a Corsair when i was young in the 70s and i loved that car. I remember it being quite fast and having alot of umph. He paid £40 for it off his mate at work.
My step dad had a Ford Cortina 2.0i Ghia Automatic in silver, HLL 313V. I loved that car, hardly any issues with it. He also had a sky blue mk2 escort estate and a mk3 escort. His brother in law also had 2 capri's, one of which was a Lazer. I love ford's, I want a Ford Fiesta XR2i in black with green trim after being a passenger in my aunt's XR2i
Another great vid steph. My old man had one when I was young. Not sure of the model though. I remember it had column change and a single front bench seat. I also remember it having a gauge with hack written under it. The horn was difficult to press in the centre, you might have noticed the chrome ring around the steering wheel ideally placed for your thumbs to push on. I'm surprised the owner never told you lol
Oh wow, my late Uncle John had one of these as a company car. I can't remember which engine it had but I suspect it was the 2 ltr. I can remember him driving at the incredible speed of 100mph. No seatbelts, how fab for a little kid who could hardly see over the dash. Thanks for a great review.
I've had 6 of these and wouldn't think twice about having a seventh. I love them. But as someone else also said - the kind of money they are commanding now puts them in the "one day" bracket for me. I bought a 78000 mile 2000E at age 19 for £950 and ran it up to 146,000 on the same engine. I bought a derelict Crayford for £2000, restored it and drove it all weathers as my daily driver for 6 years. But parts were still available then. Nowadays a front wing will cost you £500. I wouldn't restore one again - I'd pay more money for one with all its issues sorted. A rot box will be an enormous money pit.
That brings to light my early childhood. My late father, God rest his soul, had one of these, in exactly the same colour. Even after all these years I'm sure I can still remember the registration number. I won't say it all but it was an 'E' Reg. One thing I can say is, it got us from Leicestershire too Ramsgate many times 😄
The UK's very own Ford T-Bird (That's what I've always thought), featuring flesh-burning vinyl upholstery! 🥵 I love these - I think their main problem was purely the price, just the same with the Consul Classic & Capri (which I also love, but who doesn't?)
My first ever car after passing my test in the 1970s, was a 1965 Corsair 1500cc, EHP 502C, think I paid £200 for it, all my life savings at the time, column gear change and bench front seat, had many happy times in this car, and it would tell many a tale, good times all round.
Hi Steph, I have mostly owned Fords as I think back. Never owned a Corsair but always liked their look. I am tempted to buy one now. I love that you champion BL/BMC/A/R or whatever they called themselves that particular week. Drove many of their marques over the years but never actually owned one unless you can include my 1980 RR Shadow 2 as I believe BL made the body shells. Great show, keep it going x
Thank you for making this video, I have learned more about the Corsair which was a mystery for most of my life. One of my favourite Corgi toys was a model Corsair, I liked its front end styling and still do. My father said they were special cars and he wanted one. He was a sales rep and drove a MKII Cortina which he hated and tried to break by over reving it and crashing its geabox so he could get it replaced. The cortina refused to break and his brother, an engineer, said it was made too well to break in any sort of use. He expalined how the Ford engineers tested these cars to destruction and a regular driver would not be able to do that much harm. My dad's boss had a two litre Corsair and after my dad got to drive it he wanted one very much, but at his level in the company he was stuck with Cortinas. He drove cortinas of every mark until 1980. I recall people saying the V4 engine was not classy enough as it was in commercial viercles too and it had a diesil variant which gave it no driveway appeal in middle class Britain of the 60's. The car most people aspired too was the P6 Rover which I always heard called the Rover TC after the twin carburettor version which had massive apppeal.
I know nothing about cars but recently found your channel and watch for the nostalgia and your outfits from another time.....I say 'ding dong'! My father had a Corsair and then had another one so must have been impressed....He was an architect so possibly rather more 'wide minded' to the design. I think the first one was a brown metallic (sounds dull but looked really classy) and the second was a sort of metallic champagne colour?? Mother had a bright yellow Hillman imp which at the time was followed by a striking little Sunbeam Stiletto in white with red coachlines and a black vinyl roof....It was a real head turner but, looking back, I'm not sure if it was the beautiful little car or my beautiful mother that caught the attention. I'll keep watching for the nostalgia and may, at some point, learn something technical.......Videos are all 'tiptop'.
Once upon a time on Hayling Island I was giving a guitar lesson when my student's dad managed to lock his keys in his car - which was a Corsair, except that his was green instead of white. He didn't know what to do, but I successfully 'broke in' to the Corsair using a coat hanger... problem solved..! I've never tried to use this skill to steal a car, though, although they did humorously suggest that if I ever wanted a career change I could always take up a life of crime..! Great review, again, thanks Steph. A trip down memory lane...
I love the Ford Corsair. My name had one before I was born, and I know that, at the time they were considered as ver young and aspirational motors. Great video.
As a child of the sixties a classic car then was something built pre war. I remember thinking at sometime in the 70's that these various rust buckets and other piles of automotive crap produced during these times, would not even last until the turn of the century never mind become classics in the year 2020. However I can now appreciate a certain beauty in them, if for no other reason then their relative simplicity to the stuff car producers befuddle our minds with these days. Looking under the bonnet in particular almost brings tears to your eyes as you actually recognize the parts and remember what they do. It makes you want to get your tool box out again and start fiddling with things. Setting points, cleaning or replacing plugs, air or water filters. Sometimes we would take the entire engine out and put it back again in the same afternoon, just to see if we could do it. WOW, look a battery that you can install without having to call out the AA, to reset the computer, that sort of thing. Wow, one fuse box with just 3 fuses, not 3 fuse boxes with 25 or more in each. Back in the day when a young guy got himself his first car, he quickly learned to do all of the servicing and almost all of the repairs etc himself. No young guy, short of a son of an aristocrat, brought a car or motorcycle, without also having or buying a service manual and adequate tool kit. I lift the bonnet of my Merc, struggle to even work out where to put the fluids, get a sad feeling of complete inadequacy, and then put it down again ASAP.
thanks for another stunning video my friend, you are amazing at what you do, you have such a presence in front of the camera etc, and i don't know many other women that do car reviews either, but you are my favourite regardless, thanks for everything you do.
I always admired the styling of the corsair. My wife had a transit with the V4, never had any trouble, but I believe that it was problematic in the corsair. I liked the pointy front grille, thunderbird style. Good video BTW.
Hey, a lovely car. I love cars of the 50's, 60's and 70's. I have just subscribed to your channel from here in New Zealand. I have a 1961 Humber Hawk Series II and a 1969 Ford Zodiac Mk IV. I had three Austin Maxi 1750's too.
idriveaclassic It's ok, I just edited. Your channel looks great. I love these cars, always makes me happy seeing them. I like your fashion too. I would have been happy to collaborate if I could have. But there is a big puddle in the way.
My Father had a 2000E I can confirm it really did reach 110 mph. This was my favourite car my Father owned, it was originally blue, he had it resprayed white. I put a red go faster stripe just to the left of the bonnet and on the boot. It looked amazing!
My dad had a dark blue V4 model and remember having driving lessons in it. I remember constantantly having to feel under the dashboard for the turn and pull up handbrake.
Thanks darlin'...halcyon days! NRA 167D (1966? ) I was only 5, my dad bought from brand new in a dark green colour, we had a bench seat in the front to accommodate our family with the gear stick on the driving column, heaven knows where the hand break was, I imagine totally illegal these days!! We had the car well into the 70s until it literally fell to pieces😆
@@idriveaclassic I was born here, so very proud of cars made in England! we need to go back how things were! or may be I just simply love Classic Cars :-) xx
Wow, I completely forgot about this car, I remember the Anglia, The Cortina, The Classic, (have you driven one of them), and the zephyr range....but this is a gem...
Been a passenger in one once, years ago (1975 maybe?) Something broke on the front suspension and we almost had an accident. It was good while it lasted though. Great channel, love it .
Great review of a lovely car. In answer to the seatbelt issue, it is possible to buy modern inertia reel belts that will bolt right in. They may not look quite the part, but they are a definite step up in both comfort and safety. Keep up the great work, Stef.
The problem with this one is actually due to your solution, they are aftermarket inertias. They're too aggressive and using the static mounts really grab you, a modern inertia shouldn't be mounted the way these are. I'm currently restoring it and shall be putting them in the bin and putting static belts back.
Loved the review, I had one of these growing up in the U.K., mine was a 1965 V4 and I absolutely loved it, I wanted to eventually get a 2000e model but sadly it didn't happen, great memories though, I now live in N.Z. and have only ever seen one on the road over here, would love to get my hands on one to restore (dreams are free ).
My father had a Corsair when I was a kid. Nearly 60 years later I still remember the registration: FGF 30C, so a 1965 model. The reg isn't in use and I expect the car was scrapped decades ago -- it rusted at an amazing rate. My bedroom was nearest the garage so on winter mornings I would be woken up by Dad trying to start the darn thing.
I had a 1965 model in the early 80s. 250 quid and in exceptional condition. I even took it to the last Stonehenge Festival, but I don't remember much about that.......
This brought back many memories, a friends dad used to take us to school in a early white two door . Advance 10 - 11 years and I bought a white 1967 F plate 2000E complete with a black vinyl roof and rostyle wheels. Bought it for £150,
My dad had two and I remember going around in both, one of them had a bench seat in the front....which I liked because it meant I could sit up in the front, one of ours was off white like this...a small european cadillac I suppose...
My grandfather (whom I lived with) bought a Corsair GT (2l v4) when I was about 12. I loved the looks and still do. Wasn't very impressed with the engine though which was very coarse, but performed well. At the age of 13 it became the first of many engines that I overhauled as it suffered the standard oil pump drive failure and had lunch with its bearings.
When I was a kid, our neighbours had one, very much like the one you drove. They replaced it with a metallic green Capri MK1, as they didn't need as much space any more. Also, I'm old enough to remember having a lift in a Corsair taxi!
In 1970 I bought my first car, which was a Corsair 1600. It was a 1966 model and it cost me £400 notes. A beautiful car with a very distinctive sound of it's own. It's a pity they don't build retro ones now, I'd have one tomorrow.
Enjoyed review as always - If you enjoyed this Corsair, try and get a go in a 2000E Corsair. It is a totally different experience. Keep going with the classics.
I had the 2000e great car one of the best cars I ever had the dash was slightly more than that one also had a center console.I was on the m1 returning to London managed just over the ton that was in the early 70s naughty boy but then I was only 20 .
Yes taught me a lesson tho as a result i damaged the engine and had to sell it due to lack of funds I think if my memory serves me correctly I part ex for an Austin 1800 land crab what a comedown a mobile arm chair did not have that to long as the hydraulic suspension failed again not a cheap repair but did manage to replace the leaking pipes without removing the engine happy days.
Hi Jo. Here in NZ there were very few Corsairs about in the 70s and 80s. Most of the ones that appeared on our roads were imported when people emigrated here, but there were still a few brought in and sold new between 65 and 70. I loved the look of them - sort of like a MkII Cortina, but with a toned down MkIII Zephyr rear end. It certainly looked like it had MkIII Zephyr in the mix from the side profile too - all that painted steel between the windows and the door sills! They had a penchant for rusting in some very nasty places and were hard to stop once they started. My mates had MkII Cortinas, I had a MkI Cortina GT and then one day on 1986, we were out for a cruise and saw a 1968 metallic silver Corsair GT with a black vinyl roof sitting in a dealer's yard. It had done 70,000 miles and they wanted the princely sum of $4500 for it (about 1500 GBP at the time). I had paid $5000 for my GT Cortina a year previously and tried to talk the dealer into a straight swap, but he wasn't having it. I still got to go out for a drive in it and - like you - I was absolutely gobsmacked at how well it went. Not being that much bigger than a MkII Cortina, the Corsair was a way more comfortable cruiser and seemed so much more refined and smooth compared to the MkII. The array of dials was like any GT of the era and the wood panelling gave it that upper class edge - even though the seats and door trims were still in black vinyl. It performed well and wasn't a sloppy old Hector through the bends like I thought it would be - although the word 'nimble' could certainly not have been applied to it either. I absolutely loved the car, but like I said, the dealer wasn't keen on swapping and I wasn't keen on going further into debt to own it (this WAS the mid eighties and interest rates were nudging 30%!!!). I bumped into a mate of mine at a car show recently and hello.....here he was with a red 1967 2-door GT Corsair with the Crayford conversion. All original, he had found it in one of his trips to the UK, fallen in love and just HAD to bring it home with him! This is a bloke who also has an original one owner (reportedly one of only three known to have been done) Crayford converted MkI Cortina Lotus. Both cars are simply stunning, but having owned a MkI GT Cortina and driven a Corsair, I know which one I would choose to drive home in if ever given the opportunity! Great review, Jo - and I have never before seen a Corsair that wasn't of GT spec, so doubly interesting for me to hear that it was still a joy to drive for you.
2.L V4 was the one for have, I had rare two door 1500 and then a four door 2.0 V4, the latter was de-chromed and I installed electronic ignition which made it very reliable and it felt like the performance had improved.
I loved the styling, the V4 was dropped due to fuel consumption and power. The v4 was a cut down V6 that failed to deliver the power. I recall the car succumbed to the dreaded rust after a relative short time. The cortina had moved on with heated rear window better engine fuel consumption handling etc.
Thanks for another fine video. A classmate's dad had a Corsair GT and he sometimes took us both to school. It didn't have a wooden dashboard, but it had a massive centre console, shorter gearlever and more instruments, maybe a rev counter, I think. It went pretty quickly and was by far the most sporty car I had ridden in. My mate also said the seats were real leather (but he did sometimes stretch the truth a bit). I thought it was a really cool car, but even back then I found the front end was spoiling the design (I actually like it better now).
The Corsair was better looking then the Cortina but it didn't have its own target market so ended up competing with the Ford range below and above it. It was too close to both ends and so didn't sell. I always wanted my dad to buy one but he went for a red Cortina 1600E which was a great car. We once drove on the Le Mans circuit (which formed part of the national road) at its top speed of 98 while being chased by a French 1600E . My dad won! The other car pulled up next to us at traffic lights down the road the the driver gave my dad a friendly nod which my dad returned. You don't forget moments like that!
Interesting learning about Ford's European cars. The 1600 Kent, I hear, used to be the base engine in our American Pinto when it came out, and the Cologne 2.0 OHC optional. The front of this Corsair gives off early 60s Thunderbird vibes. As for the aftermarket stereo, I'll bet Pink Floyd would sound great through it.
Nearly choked on my coffee when you used the phrase " middle of the last century " I suddenly felt very ancient .
Lovely car , great review .
Hahahaha don’t panic. I’m old too x
I felt the same! It was as though we were being considered as 'Victorians!' - But, this girl has got it nailed!
getting older is a victory, survivers become classic over time ::: :
I'm 60.
This is the car I learned to drive in! My Dad had a 1966 Corsair in Sea Foam Blue. I did so many jobs on this car. The V4 1700cc engine was great in my opinion. It's much easier to sound the horn if you press the ring, rather than the centre boss :) Thanks for the nostalgia trip Steph!
Passed my driving test at 18 in 1967 got home and asked my dad for the keys to his new Corsair V4. He, to my surprise, handed them to me. He had kittens while i was out. Came back safe no dramas. Bought a second hand Ford Anglia 100e the following week. Kept my dad happy. Great video brought back memories.
Hahahahaha that’s brilliant.
The metal 'horn ring' is the thing you push to blow the horn. You can do it easily with your thumb while driving. Beautiful car!😍😍
Have sat in one some years back. It was a derelict & going nowhere but complete, & it was a top-range 2000E. I was impressed.
Great video! I have owned 2 Corsairs over the years, a 1600 V4 and a 2000E, still amongst my favourites.
Such nice cars
I owned a 1,200cc two door & a 2000GT!
V4 was the same engine as went into the Saab 96 V4...
@@johno4521 No completely different, first visual difference is the Ford 'Koln' engine had the distributor at the rear , the Ford 'Essex' engine distributor was at the front. Some say the Koln (Cologne) engine had the German build qualities we all admire.
Hi Steph, at last someone who loves the Corsair as much as me. I was lucky enough to have a 2000E in classic silver fox with black vinyl roof as my first car, was my uncle's from new, then my father's, before coming to me. I loved that car!!! A very well balanced design, stylish comfortable interior, with the thickest pile carpet. Masses of torque from the V4 and a wonderfully fullu throaty, charismatic exhaust note. I used to just sit and listen to it burbling away. You could hustle it through the corners and it would leave contemporary vehicles in the rear view mirror thanks to the Weber twin choke. Fully restored mine in the 1980's - just beautiful! RWJ 290F
With that reg number your car would've been registered in Sheffield and if my memory serves me well we had 3 main Ford dealers TC Harrisons, Brook Shaw and Kennings Ford, my old mates father was a salesman for Kennings and i can remember going on holiday with them in a metallic green Mk 2 Cortina 1.6 again with black vinyl seats great memories.
@@neiltaylor5588 Hi Neal, it certainly was from Sheffield, sold new to Edgar Allen, where my uncle worked, by TC Harrison's. That Cortina made a good impression on you - uncle's son had a 1600E at the same time in unusual rose/mushroom metallic paint. The great days of Ford's eh!
@@robertp.wainman4094 Yes indeed in fact my first car was a Mk 1 Ford Escort 1100 super in silver fox FWE 125J great days indeed Robert.
@@neiltaylor5588 Nice first car! - silver fox was a great colour way before silver was a fashionable shade.
Our neighbour had one of these, in bottle green. The other next door neighbour had a Mk3 Zephyr 6.
We had a Morris Minor 1000. As a 5 year old in 1964 I learned about car envy. Thanks Steph for
another brill video.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment 🥰
Hidden user 5705 I know what you mean. Ours wasn’t even a 1000. Just an old sidevalve One of my friends father bought a brand new V6 Capri and pulled the motor and hotted it up. Sod.
My dad had a 1970 1700 sprayed in fiesta red. As a kid. Loved the v4 sound, the door cards that covered the doors, petrol filler behind the number plate and the round clocks in the wooden dash. It got t boned in 1976 and my dad was very lucky.
His mate shortly after got 2000E Corsair with the Zodiac wheel trims. That car sounded awesome and was like shit off a shovel. It failed it's not in 1979 and put the engine in a 1975 transit. With the twin choke carbs it was the fastest van ever. He converted it into a caravanette and lasted until 1988. Happy ford memories
Happy ford memories indeed!
@@idriveaclassic after the accident he did not drive for 12 months. And in 1977 bought a blaze 1973 mini 850 which ended up being mine in 1984 at 16. Done up as a cooper, passed my test and killed it in 6 months. I was a complete hooligan. I would of repaired but too much went at the same time.
Fantastic re-appropriation. My uncle Jeff had a brown 2000E estate one. Took me out a few times in it as a small child. I really loved it. Apparently he had an accident in it, don't remember that but I remember a Datsun 100 A on an N or P reg appearing in the drive.
Always liked the looks of the Corsair, Ford and Vauxhall were always good on styling 😀
Beautiful card
Thanks for the wonderful video, which brought back so many lovely memories of the 1600cc one that I owned in the late 60's. I also loved the quiet smooth ride and the thin upright windscreen pillars that didn't block visibility at roundabouts and junctions. The bonnet being in view was so good for judging the width of the car and for aiming. The unassisted steering was so positive and direct, unlike the awful dead powered steering with no feel that we have in modern cars. I dislike most modern cars with drop away aerodynamic bonnets and thick steeply angled windscreen pillars that obstruct the view. The suspension of classic cars were tuned for comfort, unlike most modern cars that have firm suspension that make you feel every bump and pot hole. I am 78 and last year passed my advance test. I yearn to buy a new modern car with a bonnet that I can see, slim windscreen pillars, a suspension that smooths the bumps, steering that is direct with 'feel', a quiet engine, no road roar from the tyres and not wider than 1800mm, but I don't believe that they make them any more. Thanks again!
Ooh lovely! Another old favourite of mine . There were two in regular use in my neighbourhood up to the late 80's. Beautiful car and very enjoyable video Steph 👍
Great review Steph.
Eloquently spoken yet easy to understand.
You've covered the car very well.
Excellent work.
Great video and great car. Both my dad and older brother each had one of these. Dads was light blue and brothers was white.. This takes me back a bit, travelling in the back of dads V4 from Brum to Great Yarmouth for a weeks holiday in September. 67, this was the high-life on holiday in September taking advantage of the extra weeks holiday that factory workers were awarded in the late 60’s. Prior to this they were only allowed two weeks holiday in July/August. Keep up the great videos.
I had a Corsair 2000 deluxe, NDV 631G in dark blue, beautiful car to drive, loads of torque from the V4. Fitted electronic ignition, never had a problem starting like other Fords. Loved that car.
David Hazell Funny that! I had a Mini that started first time whereas my neighbor would crank away for ages in his Corsair.
Robert Morley maybe that’s because he didn’t have electronic ignition fitted, Fords were prone to bad starting so was a no brainier, worked so well, also good for security, could switch it off easily
I loved this Corsair. Really won me over ❤️
Hi there,
My Dad had a navy blue Corsair 1700 in 1978 for nearly 2 years and ran it on gas. He then put a 2000 corsair engine into it which he liked. Then I pleaded with him not to scrap it.....which he did! Why would he listen to a 11 year old???
In September 2005 I went over to Leeds and bought a Mink blue 2000E and brought it back home to Ireland. My first classic car!
Dad looked in amazement and admitted that he should never have got rid of his one!
I forgave him!
Hitting the Victorian age of 57!!!!
Thanks for the video
Patrick.
Great video, Steph. I've always loved the Corsair since my Dad had a '65 1500 when I was a nipper. I bought a '68 2000E for £280 as my first car when I was 18. Good times!
Thanks for this brilliant review, when I was 5 my dad bought one of these when it was 5 years old too, it was a 1968 2ltr V4 automatic with a bench seat at the front. He kept it until I was 17 and upgraded to a cortina estate but I’m miss it so much. I remember the wing mirrors being on the actual wings at the front at the time. I learned my engine craft on it, It was a great car and my dad and I often had the engine out on the bench for all sorts of rebuild work. I wish I had one now.
I love Corsairs. One of my all time favourites. I’ve always fancied a V4 one.
Just brilliant aren’t they!
*There was one in the 60's (V4 Corsair) owned by the Company I worked for and the engine 'blew up' whilst I was driving it (around 80mph) on the M1 near Nottingham. Car had only covered less than 20k miles.*
Not what they were cracked up to be...they were sluggish and not very refined. A tester at the time famously commented having driven a V4 example that it shook the glass out of his wristwatch...
johno4521 I always wondered why there weren’t more V4s about. That’ll be why 😂
I owned one of these. It was amazing. Mine was metallic. I toured Scotland in mine. They were so easy to work on. I replaced the selector forks in the gearbox in no time.
I still have a photo of it. Thanks for posting.
Another wonderful video, Steph! I love your enthusiasm for classic cars.
My Dad drove a 2.0 V4 back in 69. As a very small child I absolutely loved it and always thought of the design back then through my childhood brain as being very futuristic. The best memory I have however is my dad getting it Resprayed to a deep navy and with the leftover paint my little metal pedal car was resprayed also. I was chuffed parking it beside Dad's Corsair.
Aww I love that! My car is navy too. Brill colour.
I love watching your videos they always remind me of my grandad's cars especially the Rover 3.5 that was a luxury vehicle and I am now 55 year old can I wish you a Happy Christmas and keep up lovely videos x
Absolutely love the Corsair - loved it back in 1963 as a kid too. I liked the rectangular horn ring on the earliest models. My brother had 2 of these - both 1500 GTs. The first he owned in the mid 70s, the second he owned in the early 90s. They had the earlier interior with the strip speedometer.They were quick, handled well and really comfortable as well as stylish to look at. The 2000E was a cracking car - luxurious and rapid too. I'd love one of those. Great review as always!
Thanks so much Rex 🥰🥰
Nice to see a Corsair in it's home country.
I've restored a 66 2litre V4 for my daughter, it's a 2 door i've modified it with a few extras such as a rev counter and a centre consol from a GT which a friend of mine managed to find in the UK. It is also modified with 7,5x13 inch Rostyle wheels.
Keep up your good work, I really like your channel.
Dan Eriksson Sweden
Underrated, overlooked, and overshadowed- a neighbour of ours had a V4 with a vinyl roof - purple it was and it sounded sooo good ! What a great car ! I love your reviews Steph !
Thanks so much!!!!
V4 - So only 'Half a Burble?' But the Ford Engine kept SAAB going! - Closely followed by the Triumph Sodomite Engine! - Which was then given the added badge of 'TURBO!'
You're the first to mention the v4 sound - totally agree with you, I had a 2000E and just loved that throaty exhaust note.
The Ford Corsair...my favourite classic car bar none
The wooden dashboard in this looks great. The successor to this: the Cortina mark 3, is the car that got me enthused about classic cars.
I really want to take a Cortina out 😩
The successor to the mk3 cortina was the mk2 cortina.
Hi Steph, I'm new to your channel.
You are taking me back to my youth. I have been in almost all the cars you are showing.
My father came home with a new car every week including a V4 Corsair .
My favourite Ford was a 1600E in Aubergine with a black vinyl roof. It was brilliant and I remember when he raced a Capri and won. I think we hit 110 MPH with 3 people in the car.
How mad we were in my time.
My father ended up with a mini cooper but he was a pilot and liked the handling.
I adored this Corsair!
Our first family holiday abroad in 1968 was to Austria in a 1963 Corsair 1500. My dad bought it second-hand fom Dees in Croydon, as a step up from a 1952 Consul. The Corsair was two-tone: grey with a cream-coloured roof, red vinyl interior, and individual front seats - the ultímate in modernity, as far as we were concerned. Great excitement on fitting the yellow headlamp deflectors in preparation for a real aventure. Great car; great memories!
Thanx Steph for a great vid,,used to see loads of these in the 70s growing up in London,normally Maroon even a friend's dad had a Maroon one with grey interior,,didn't like them then but luv them now,,as always Thanx for a fantastic vid,,
Thanks for the lovely comment!
@@idriveaclassic ,My pleasure,
We had one of these when I was a kid in the mid-70s. Hot black seats - burning my shorts-clad legs - check. Ours was red with a black vinyl roof.
My legs were BURNING. Way too warm to lift the bonnet
Another of my favorite Matchbox cars. Thanks Steph. 👍😉
Nice video Steph,my uncle had one of these in Jamaica in the '70's. Brings back memories. I've not seen any in Canada but we did have the Capri and Cortina. The Capri and Cortina were also popular in Jamaica and the other West Indian islands. The Capri especially was raced a lot in the islands due to the good power to weight ratio. Stay safe and have a wonderful God blessed day.
The Corsair was popular in the Jamaican community Paul, my uncle had one. I personally love the the American Ford Thunderbird V8 which the British Corsair is modeled on.
I'll never forget when i was a youngster, my dad brought me a little red pedal car which was a Ford corsair. I loved it and had it for a fair while until we all decided to go for a drive up the coast. My pedal car was tied onto the roof rack, half way to the beach a sudden gust of wind and my pedal car came flying off and ended up in bits.. i was heartbroken and cried for ages... my dad had a blue saloon which was an automatic column change.
Oh my god that’s like a true traumatic childhood memory 😭😭😭😭
Those vinyl seats on a hot day were designed to strip the skin from your body...
I bought a 1964, 1500 straight 4 in white in 1971 for £10. Workmates queued up to gasp at how little I'd paid. A mate's Dad sold it to me as it had broke down. New plugs and some petrol and ran like a dream. Loved the cigar shape - what a stylish car for the time!
Learnt to drive in my Dads Corsair in 1969. CHT545C. Lovely car.
Great looking car my dad had one in maroon. Very underrated my family were Ford through the fifties and sixties and I later worked with the Vauxhall brand for 30 years happy days! Great review I think you want a Corsair now! Keep up the great reviews!
My dad had a silver Corsair V4 automatic GNH 334E. It was a lovely car, though one of my earliest memories of it was when we drove to see my grandparents and suddenly the front of the car was enveloped in a cloud of steam as the engine overheated. We stopped in the central reservation of a road that was being widened while Dad waited for the radiator to cool down enough to add some water. It was also that car which suddenly decided to go into second gear on the motorway so dad had to swerve onto the hard shoulder as soon as he could to prevent the engine over-revving.
But apart from those reliability/manufacturing faults, it was great. I loved the pull-down rear numberplace that concealed the fuel filler (non-lockable, as was normal in those days) and the "silver" pull-out handbrake. And the column automatic gear selector lever. I *think* despite the column change and the under-dashboard handbrake, the car had two separate seats rather than a bench seat. And that V-shaped front end (with embedded headlights) and the iconic dished rear lights were lovely. I'd forgotten about the chrome trim on the doors which doubled as the door handles.
His later cars - a series of Hillman Hunters - seemed a bit staid after the Corsair.
Super review, as always Steph. That's a lovely example of the Corsair. I always thought that they were sadly overlooked! A great shame. (My dad worked for an engineering firm who created the steering wheel dyes for Ford, so you were using one of my dad's wheels there.) Thanks again.
Oh my god really?! That’s incredible!!!! I’ll think of your dad every time I get into a ford now :)
@@idriveaclassic thank you Steph.
I loved the Corsair, the styling was so america, so sharp and the colours and the interiors were fabulous. For some reason almost all of them had indicators that flashed far to fast like they had a blwn bulb or a dodgy relay. Problem for me was that my Dad hated Fords and Austin/Morris. He only ever considered Hillmans. Great video as per, glad you liked the drive.
My first car was a 63/ 64 1500 deluxe in Aqua blue. Didn't have the posh wood dashboard like yours. Loved that car. Superb gearbox. Lots of space under the bonnet to work on it.
My dad had a Corsair when i was young in the 70s and i loved that car. I remember it being quite fast and having alot of umph. He paid £40 for it off his mate at work.
Yeah this was cracking.
My step dad had a Ford Cortina 2.0i Ghia Automatic in silver, HLL 313V. I loved that car, hardly any issues with it. He also had a sky blue mk2 escort estate and a mk3 escort. His brother in law also had 2 capri's, one of which was a Lazer. I love ford's, I want a Ford Fiesta XR2i in black with green trim after being a passenger in my aunt's XR2i
I do love a good 60s Ford!
Another great vid steph. My old man had one when I was young. Not sure of the model though. I remember it had column change and a single front bench seat. I also remember it having a gauge with hack written under it. The horn was difficult to press in the centre, you might have noticed the chrome ring around the steering wheel ideally placed for your thumbs to push on. I'm surprised the owner never told you lol
Hahahaha you know me, I just crack on and investigate. Loved this little car xx
Oh wow, my late Uncle John had one of these as a company car. I can't remember which engine it had but I suspect it was the 2 ltr. I can remember him driving at the incredible speed of 100mph. No seatbelts, how fab for a little kid who could hardly see over the dash.
Thanks for a great review.
I've had 6 of these and wouldn't think twice about having a seventh. I love them. But as someone else also said - the kind of money they are commanding now puts them in the "one day" bracket for me. I bought a 78000 mile 2000E at age 19 for £950 and ran it up to 146,000 on the same engine. I bought a derelict Crayford for £2000, restored it and drove it all weathers as my daily driver for 6 years. But parts were still available then. Nowadays a front wing will cost you £500. I wouldn't restore one again - I'd pay more money for one with all its issues sorted.
A rot box will be an enormous money pit.
That brings to light my early childhood. My late father, God rest his soul, had one of these, in exactly the same colour. Even after all these years I'm sure I can still remember the registration number. I won't say it all but it was an 'E' Reg. One thing I can say is, it got us from Leicestershire too Ramsgate many times 😄
The UK's very own Ford T-Bird (That's what I've always thought), featuring flesh-burning vinyl upholstery! 🥵 I love these - I think their main problem was purely the price, just the same with the Consul Classic & Capri (which I also love, but who doesn't?)
Let me tell you now, I have never been hotter or felt my legs burn more 😂😂😂😂
Also a name from the edsel stable
My first ever car after passing my test in the 1970s, was a 1965 Corsair 1500cc, EHP 502C, think I paid £200 for it, all my life savings at the time, column gear change and bench front seat, had many happy times in this car, and it would tell many a tale, good times all round.
Hi Steph, I have mostly owned Fords as I think back. Never owned a Corsair but always liked their look. I am tempted to buy one now. I love that you champion BL/BMC/A/R or whatever they called themselves that particular week. Drove many of their marques over the years but never actually owned one unless you can include my 1980 RR Shadow 2 as I believe BL made the body shells. Great show, keep it going x
Thank you for making this video, I have learned more about the Corsair which was a mystery for most of my life. One of my favourite Corgi toys was a model Corsair, I liked its front end styling and still do. My father said they were special cars and he wanted one. He was a sales rep and drove a MKII Cortina which he hated and tried to break by over reving it and crashing its geabox so he could get it replaced. The cortina refused to break and his brother, an engineer, said it was made too well to break in any sort of use. He expalined how the Ford engineers tested these cars to destruction and a regular driver would not be able to do that much harm. My dad's boss had a two litre Corsair and after my dad got to drive it he wanted one very much, but at his level in the company he was stuck with Cortinas. He drove cortinas of every mark until 1980. I recall people saying the V4 engine was not classy enough as it was in commercial viercles too and it had a diesil variant which gave it no driveway appeal in middle class Britain of the 60's. The car most people aspired too was the P6 Rover which I always heard called the Rover TC after the twin carburettor version which had massive apppeal.
The P6 is a really lovely car to drive. One of my close friends has one so I’ve driven it a fair few times before ☺️
I know nothing about cars but recently found your channel and watch for the nostalgia and your outfits from another time.....I say 'ding dong'!
My father had a Corsair and then had another one so must have been impressed....He was an architect so possibly rather more 'wide minded' to the design. I think the first one was a brown metallic (sounds dull but looked really classy) and the second was a sort of metallic champagne colour??
Mother had a bright yellow Hillman imp which at the time was followed by a striking little Sunbeam Stiletto in white with red coachlines and a black vinyl roof....It was a real head turner but, looking back, I'm not sure if it was the beautiful little car or my beautiful mother that caught the attention.
I'll keep watching for the nostalgia and may, at some point, learn something technical.......Videos are all 'tiptop'.
Once upon a time on Hayling Island I was giving a guitar lesson when my student's dad managed to lock his keys in his car - which was a Corsair, except that his was green instead of white. He didn't know what to do, but I successfully 'broke in' to the Corsair using a coat hanger... problem solved..! I've never tried to use this skill to steal a car, though, although they did humorously suggest that if I ever wanted a career change I could always take up a life of crime..! Great review, again, thanks Steph. A trip down memory lane...
I 'broke into' my old Cortina simply by using another Ford key.
I love the Ford Corsair. My name had one before I was born, and I know that, at the time they were considered as ver young and aspirational motors. Great video.
Jeez! I had completly forgotten about the Corsair and I thought I was a Ford man! Great view and thanks for jogging my memory 👍
Thanks so much Gerry x
As a child of the sixties a classic car then was something built pre war. I remember thinking at sometime in the 70's that these various rust buckets and other piles of automotive crap produced during these times, would not even last until the turn of the century never mind become classics in the year 2020.
However I can now appreciate a certain beauty in them, if for no other reason then their relative simplicity to the stuff car producers befuddle our minds with these days.
Looking under the bonnet in particular almost brings tears to your eyes as you actually recognize the parts and remember what they do. It makes you want to get your tool box out again and start fiddling with things. Setting points, cleaning or replacing plugs, air or water filters. Sometimes we would take the entire engine out and put it back again in the same afternoon, just to see if we could do it.
WOW, look a battery that you can install without having to call out the AA, to reset the computer, that sort of thing. Wow, one fuse box with just 3 fuses, not 3 fuse boxes with 25 or more in each. Back in the day when a young guy got himself his first car, he quickly learned to do all of the servicing and almost all of the repairs etc himself. No young guy, short of a son of an aristocrat, brought a car or motorcycle, without also having or buying a service manual and adequate tool kit.
I lift the bonnet of my Merc, struggle to even work out where to put the fluids, get a sad feeling of complete inadequacy, and then put it down again ASAP.
First car I ever went in because my dad owned one when I was born in 1973! I bought one too!
Another good video, Steph. I even worked on, drove and MOTd quite a few of these. Never did see many.
thanks for another stunning video my friend, you are amazing at what you do, you have such a presence in front of the camera etc, and i don't know many other women that do car reviews either, but you are my favourite regardless, thanks for everything you do.
Awww thanks so much for your lovely comments Matt 🥰
@@idriveaclassic my pleasure, i love the car as well in fact i have loved all the cars you have reviewed so far.
Oooh my teenage gel's school babe was dead impressed with my Corsair back in the day!
Ohhhh yes now your talking, this car is in my all time top 5 ford classics, well done Steph you've made my day 🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁
Awww thank you!!!
Great video Steph, keep up the wonderful video's. Your doing a great job and featuring a good variety of car's!
Cheers so much David x
I always admired the styling of the corsair. My wife had a transit with the V4, never had any trouble, but I believe that it was problematic in the corsair. I liked the pointy front grille, thunderbird style. Good video BTW.
V4 Transit notorious for over-heating until you learned to throw the thermostat away!
Ford UK attempt at a Thunderbird, The corsair does look gorgeous I always loved the shape.
Hey, a lovely car. I love cars of the 50's, 60's and 70's.
I have just subscribed to your channel from here in New Zealand.
I have a 1961 Humber Hawk Series II and a 1969 Ford Zodiac Mk IV.
I had three Austin Maxi 1750's too.
If you’re ever interested in collaborating please pop me an email x
Apologies I must’ve skipped the NZ bit. Maybe a bit too far to meet up and review. Hahahaha!!!!
idriveaclassic It's ok, I just edited. Your channel looks great. I love these cars, always makes me happy seeing them. I like your fashion too.
I would have been happy to collaborate if I could have. But there is a big puddle in the way.
My Father had a 2000E I can confirm it really did reach 110 mph. This was my favourite car my Father owned, it was originally blue, he had it resprayed white. I put a red go faster stripe just to the left of the bonnet and on the boot. It looked amazing!
My dad had a dark blue V4 model and remember having driving lessons in it. I remember constantantly having to feel under the dashboard for the turn and pull up handbrake.
I loved it so much
Thanks darlin'...halcyon days! NRA 167D (1966? ) I was only 5, my dad bought from brand new in a dark green colour, we had a bench seat in the front to accommodate our family with the gear stick on the driving column, heaven knows where the hand break was, I imagine totally illegal these days!! We had the car well into the 70s until it literally fell to pieces😆
One of my Fav Cars.. specially the Ford Corsair 2000E 2.0 V4 :-)
Yeah I loved this. One of my favourites I’ve tested.
@@idriveaclassic I was born here, so very proud of cars made in England! we need to go back how things were! or may be I just simply love Classic Cars :-) xx
Wow, I completely forgot about this car, I remember the Anglia, The Cortina, The Classic, (have you driven one of them), and the zephyr range....but this is a gem...
I’ve still got a few fords to try out actually! I’ve done the Capri and Anglia so far 🥰
Been a passenger in one once, years ago (1975 maybe?) Something broke on the front suspension and we almost had an accident. It was good while it lasted though. Great channel, love it .
Another great video Steph, keep up the great work!
Cheers my lovely xx
I had a V4 1664cc and a 2000E Maroon with vinyl roof, great cars to drive.
Great review of a lovely car. In answer to the seatbelt issue, it is possible to buy modern inertia reel belts that will bolt right in. They may not look quite the part, but they are a definite step up in both comfort and safety. Keep up the great work, Stef.
The problem with this one is actually due to your solution, they are aftermarket inertias. They're too aggressive and using the static mounts really grab you, a modern inertia shouldn't be mounted the way these are. I'm currently restoring it and shall be putting them in the bin and putting static belts back.
@Richard Harrold driving a 55 year old car in general isn't safe.
Putting the original safety equipment it was built with back in is perfectly fine.
I never knew there was an Estate, thanks for this video, it was so interesting.
Hi Steph
Great review well presented I remember the Corsair when I was a lad look forward to your next offering. Alan C. xx
Aww thanks so much Alan! X
Loved the review, I had one of these growing up in the U.K., mine was a 1965 V4 and I absolutely loved it, I wanted to eventually get a 2000e model but sadly it didn't happen, great memories though, I now live in N.Z. and have only ever seen one on the road over here, would love to get my hands on one to restore (dreams are free ).
My father had a Corsair when I was a kid. Nearly 60 years later I still remember the registration: FGF 30C, so a 1965 model. The reg isn't in use and I expect the car was scrapped decades ago -- it rusted at an amazing rate. My bedroom was nearest the garage so on winter mornings I would be woken up by Dad trying to start the darn thing.
I had a 1965 model in the early 80s. 250 quid and in exceptional condition. I even took it to the last Stonehenge Festival, but I don't remember much about that.......
This brought back many memories, a friends dad used to take us to school in a early white two door . Advance 10 - 11 years and I bought a white 1967 F plate 2000E complete with a black vinyl roof and rostyle wheels. Bought it for £150,
God you couldn’t get a wheel for £150 now 😂😂😂
My dad had two and I remember going around in both, one of them had a bench seat in the front....which I liked because it meant I could sit up in the front, one of ours was off white like this...a small european cadillac I suppose...
Love bench seats!
Classic unusual design.....my Dad had a pale blue one....happy days
My grandfather (whom I lived with) bought a Corsair GT (2l v4) when I was about 12. I loved the looks and still do. Wasn't very impressed with the engine though which was very coarse, but performed well.
At the age of 13 it became the first of many engines that I overhauled as it suffered the standard oil pump drive failure and had lunch with its bearings.
Never been a ford man but i always liked the shape of the corsair my uncle had a blue 1500 strate 4
I was in love. Different choice for me but loved it.
When I was a kid, our neighbours had one, very much like the one you drove. They replaced it with a metallic green Capri MK1, as they didn't need as much space any more. Also, I'm old enough to remember having a lift in a Corsair taxi!
Oohhhh I just loved it! Really falling in love with these old Fords ❤️
In 1970 I bought my first car, which was a Corsair 1600. It was a 1966 model and it cost me £400 notes. A beautiful car with a very distinctive sound of it's own. It's a pity they don't build retro ones now, I'd have one tomorrow.
Great review steph what a fantastic car looks so fun to drive see you again soon take care xD
Thanks Paul!
Enjoyed review as always - If you enjoyed this Corsair, try and get a go in a 2000E Corsair. It is a totally different experience. Keep going with the classics.
I totally agree!
I had the 2000e great car one of the best cars I ever had the dash was slightly more than that one also had a center console.I was on the m1 returning to London managed just over the ton that was in the early 70s naughty boy but then I was only 20 .
Hahahaha. Look we’ve all pushed the speed limit somewhat at a younger age...
Yes taught me a lesson tho as a result i damaged the engine and had to sell it due to lack of funds I think if my memory serves me correctly I part ex for an Austin 1800 land crab what a comedown a mobile arm chair did not have that to long as the hydraulic suspension failed again not a cheap repair but did manage to replace the leaking pipes without removing the engine happy days.
Hi Jo. Here in NZ there were very few Corsairs about in the 70s and 80s. Most of the ones that appeared on our roads were imported when people emigrated here, but there were still a few brought in and sold new between 65 and 70. I loved the look of them - sort of like a MkII Cortina, but with a toned down MkIII Zephyr rear end. It certainly looked like it had MkIII Zephyr in the mix from the side profile too - all that painted steel between the windows and the door sills! They had a penchant for rusting in some very nasty places and were hard to stop once they started. My mates had MkII Cortinas, I had a MkI Cortina GT and then one day on 1986, we were out for a cruise and saw a 1968 metallic silver Corsair GT with a black vinyl roof sitting in a dealer's yard. It had done 70,000 miles and they wanted the princely sum of $4500 for it (about 1500 GBP at the time). I had paid $5000 for my GT Cortina a year previously and tried to talk the dealer into a straight swap, but he wasn't having it. I still got to go out for a drive in it and - like you - I was absolutely gobsmacked at how well it went. Not being that much bigger than a MkII Cortina, the Corsair was a way more comfortable cruiser and seemed so much more refined and smooth compared to the MkII. The array of dials was like any GT of the era and the wood panelling gave it that upper class edge - even though the seats and door trims were still in black vinyl. It performed well and wasn't a sloppy old Hector through the bends like I thought it would be - although the word 'nimble' could certainly not have been applied to it either. I absolutely loved the car, but like I said, the dealer wasn't keen on swapping and I wasn't keen on going further into debt to own it (this WAS the mid eighties and interest rates were nudging 30%!!!). I bumped into a mate of mine at a car show recently and hello.....here he was with a red 1967 2-door GT Corsair with the Crayford conversion. All original, he had found it in one of his trips to the UK, fallen in love and just HAD to bring it home with him! This is a bloke who also has an original one owner (reportedly one of only three known to have been done) Crayford converted MkI Cortina Lotus. Both cars are simply stunning, but having owned a MkI GT Cortina and driven a Corsair, I know which one I would choose to drive home in if ever given the opportunity! Great review, Jo - and I have never before seen a Corsair that wasn't of GT spec, so doubly interesting for me to hear that it was still a joy to drive for you.
Thanks so much for your lovely and informative comment ☺️☺️☺️
Nice to see the roads you followed in and around Ripon. I have family in Ripon so it all looked quite familiar. Lovely car!
Aww my pleasure!
2.L V4 was the one for have, I had rare two door 1500 and then a four door 2.0 V4, the latter was de-chromed and I installed electronic ignition which made it very reliable and it felt like the performance had improved.
Such a smashing car this one!
I loved the styling, the V4 was dropped due to fuel consumption and power. The v4 was a cut down V6 that failed to deliver the power. I recall the car succumbed to the dreaded rust after a relative short time.
The cortina had moved on with heated rear window better engine fuel consumption handling etc.
Another Good video Steph. Waited all last night for it. Never mind. Really looking forward to them. Thanks
Sorry Kenny! I had massive technical difficulties over the weekend. Glad you enjoyed the late arrival.
idriveaclassic Late better than never for sure. I really do look forward to them. Thanks again from Australia.
Thanks so much Kenny 🥰🥰🥰
Thanks for another fine video.
A classmate's dad had a Corsair GT and he sometimes took us both to school. It didn't have a wooden dashboard, but it had a massive centre console, shorter gearlever and more instruments, maybe a rev counter, I think. It went pretty quickly and was by far the most sporty car I had ridden in. My mate also said the seats were real leather (but he did sometimes stretch the truth a bit).
I thought it was a really cool car, but even back then I found the front end was spoiling the design (I actually like it better now).
Yeah it’s weird how sometimes things grow on you with time x
The Corsair was better looking then the Cortina but it didn't have its own target market so ended up competing with the Ford range below and above it. It was too close to both ends and so didn't sell. I always wanted my dad to buy one but he went for a red Cortina 1600E which was a great car. We once drove on the Le Mans circuit (which formed part of the national road) at its top speed of 98 while being chased by a French 1600E . My dad won! The other car pulled up next to us at traffic lights down the road the the driver gave my dad a friendly nod which my dad returned. You don't forget moments like that!
Interesting learning about Ford's European cars. The 1600 Kent, I hear, used to be the base engine in our American Pinto when it came out, and the Cologne 2.0 OHC optional. The front of this Corsair gives off early 60s Thunderbird vibes. As for the aftermarket stereo, I'll bet Pink Floyd would sound great through it.
Another great video. Really enjoyed that.
Thanks Sean x