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three versions — standard, Deluxe
and GT. The availability of two
and four-door body styles, 11 paint
shades and such options as the
Borg Warner automatic
transmission and cloth trim added
to the Corsair’s appeal.
Most customers skipped the
‘standard’ level of trim though,
instead opting for the plusher
Deluxe, which added such luxuries
as pile carpet, two-tone paint
schemes, two sun visors, door-
operated courtesy light, full width
parcel shelf beneath the dash and
no less than three ashtrays.
The Deluxe could also be
ordered with bucket seats and a
fl oor gear change, while both were
standard on the GT. The sporty
fl agship also benefi ted from stiffer
suspension, a centre console, rev
counter, oil pressure gauge and
ammeter. It also got anothereen to replace the gap left
by the short-lived Classic
and offer customers a
seemingly more upmarket
alternative to the Cortina, Ford
ushered in the Consul Corsair in
October 1963.
But while it was pitched as a more
refi ned big brother to the Cortina,
the new arrival had much more in
common with its smaller sibling
than its swoopy looks suggested.
Its distinctive appearance might
have had more than a passing
resemblance to the 1961
Thunderbird, but despite its longer
body and stretched wheelbase, the
Corsair shared the Cortina’s track,
some inner engine bay panels,
scuttle, bulkhead, door shells and
windscreen. The three-bearing
1498cc Pre-Crossfl ow engine was
also donated by the Cortina Super.
Car buyers could choose from19 bhp courtesy of a Weber
carburettor and better manifolds.
However, the Corsair wasn’t really
about speed and while Ford had
perhaps oversold its executive status,
it was considerably more comfortable
than the Cortina thanks to its
superior seating and nearly 10 cm
more knee and legroom.
A 12-week waiting list soon
ensued but only two years later
Ford upset its popular package with
the introduction of the more
powerful V4 engine.
Ford’s hasty engine swap and the
effects of over 55 years mean that
1498cc-engined Corsairs are thin on
the ground, but these early examples
are arguably more desirable than the
later versions. You should always buy
a Corsair on condition, regardless of
what’s under the bonnet, but there’s
a very good case that the sweeter-
running original really is the best.K
A Mk1 Cortina under the skin, the Corsair was longer,
more comfortable and arguably more stylish, too.
Geoff Hall
With a history of classic Fords
and a preference for the more
obscure models, such as the
Edsel and Galaxie, it was only a
matter of time before Geoff
added a Corsair to his garage.
Taken in part-exchange against
a 1960 Mercury, the low
mileage, never-been-welded
1963 Deluxe has only been in
his ownership some six
months but it’s already one of
his favourites in his collection.
“It’s only had a few owners and
it’s in really great condition. I
haven’t seen a nicer one,” says
Geoff, who runs businesses
specialising in buying, selling
and renting classic electric milk
fl oats, cars and even a vintage
bus. “I love the originality and I
like the fact that the Corsair is
one of the rarer old Fords. I’m
surprised that despite its rarity
it’s sensibly priced compared to
more common classic Fords.”THE OWNER
Words Christian Tilbury Photos Matt RichardsonCORSAIR 1500
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