My V8 Cortina

Birchall

Dick Chown Award 2016
This is the V8 Cortina that I built back in the 80's
It had a 4.0 litre Rover V8 keyless start (my own design, not really heard of then) and a roof mounted TV (Black and white of course and it had a tube, no flat screens then)

I drove it on the "cruise for charity" which was a drive from John o' Groats to Lands end for custom cars taken over a week (due to stopping and putting on a car show every day on route.

The other Cortina was my friends, it was a very famous one at the time, he has just sent these pictures to me, fond memories..

Mine is the one without the wing!!!!

ed cortina 2.jpged cortina.jpg

Steve B
 
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steve...you seem to me that youve had a varied and wonderful life so far without really any hiccups (as it should be) its great that your love of cars has been told in detail here on the forum for all too see as its a nice touch of nostalgia :)

im actually (hoping) waiting on the photos of you mingling with celebrities past/present or some kind of secret mi5 story to follow ;)

cammy
 
steve...you seem to me that youve had a varied and wonderful life so far without really any hiccups (as it should be) its great that your love of cars has been told in detail here on the forum for all too see as its a nice touch of nostalgia :)

im actually (hoping) waiting on the photos of you mingling with celebrities past/present or some kind of secret mi5 story to follow ;)

cammy

I only post the good news stories, believe me there have been plenty of hiccups. Not least when I was made bankrupt during the Maggie Thatcher recession and lost that great little business selling all of those interesting cars.

It was a thriving business and doing well until the recession hit, I was still selling plenty of cars, but my mortgage went from £800 a month to £1,500 a month due to the interest rates escalating out of control and the lease on the showrooms doubled. We lost our home and everything. but I am certainly not complaining, I just didn't want people to think it has been all sunshine and roses !!

There are plenty of others in a worse position than I have been, so no complaints from me!!

Steve B
 
yea the old witch did some amount of damage to this country! its good to see that things have turned out for the better after that :) i mean you and not the country lol

my hobby/passion is for video games (did i miss out my wife and kids?) and dont think i will ever tire from it unless i get arthritis or an amputation!

cammy
 
Ok
So don't laugh, remember that this was in the late '80s

This shot shows two things that are pretty much antique now but in the late 80s I was pushing the boundaries a little.

You can see the interior of my V 8 cortina and the tv is a bit obvious (don't laugh.)
If you look closely you will also see the keypad I tricked up in the roof console to give me keyless ignition !!!!
96ed806c3e23e836292f8f0c84b7c925.jpg


My, how times have changed in over 25 years

Steve B
 
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I didn't realise it but the steering wheel I fitted to the Cortina is slightly similar to the look of the A2 standard steering wheel isn't it?

And another picture, this time of the Cortina used as a tow vehicle for the drag race Escort I used to compete in (0 to 60 in two seconds and street legal!)

How I wish I still had those two cars !!!
ed race car and tow car.jpg


And the "Street Machine" Magazine feature
ed street machine back page.jpg

Steve B
 
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