Ford Australia Cortina GT500
The Ford Cortina, one of the best-selling cars in British motoring history, took on an entirely different character when it arrived in Australia. While the UK Cortina was a modest family car with small four-cylinder engines, Ford Australia recognized that local tastes demanded more power and created the GT500 — a Cortina with a six-cylinder engine that transformed the compact sedan into a genuinely quick performance car.
The Australian Cortina was available in TC (1971-1976) and TD (1976-1982) generations, both based on the European Mark III and Mark IV Cortina respectively but adapted for Australian conditions. The GT500 variant received Ford Australia's 250 cubic inch (4,089 cc) Crossflow inline-six, a larger and more powerful engine than anything available in the European Cortina range. Producing 175 horsepower, the Crossflow six gave the lightweight Cortina body spirited performance.
At just 1,100 kg, the Cortina GT500 had an excellent power-to-weight ratio that made it feel considerably faster than its modest specifications suggested. The 4-speed manual gearbox provided crisp shifts, and the rear-wheel-drive layout allowed for entertaining handling — though the live rear axle on leaf springs could be wayward at the limit.
The GT500 was distinguished by specific exterior trim including side stripes, a blacked-out grille, fog lights, and wider wheels. Inside, the car received sports seats, additional instrumentation, and a three-spoke steering wheel. The overall package was more discreet than the Falcon GT, making the Cortina GT500 an appealing choice for drivers who wanted performance without drawing excessive attention.
In Australian motorsport, the Cortina punched above its weight in Group C sedan racing. Its compact dimensions and light weight made it competitive on tight circuits, and the torquey Crossflow six provided strong acceleration out of slow corners. The Cortina GT500 was a popular choice for privateer racers who couldn't afford the more expensive Falcon GTs or Monaro GTS models.
The Cortina was discontinued in Australia in 1982 when Ford replaced it with the locally designed Laser (Mazda 323-based). The GT500 remains the most collectible of all Australian Cortinas, valued for its combination of compact dimensions, strong engine, and the increasingly rare appeal of a straightforward, analog driving experience.
Check for rust extensively — Cortinas are notoriously rust-prone in the floor pans, sills, inner guards, and boot floor. The Crossflow six-cylinder is robust and well-supported with parts. Verify GT500 specification as many base Cortinas have been modified. The live rear axle should be checked for differential wear. Manual gearbox cars are significantly more collectible. Check the MacPherson strut towers for cracking. Interior parts for GT500 specification are increasingly scarce.
Based on the British Ford Cortina Mk III (TC) and Mk IV (TD) but fitted with Australian-specific engines. The 250ci Crossflow six was unique to the Australian market. Assembled at Ford's Broadmeadows plant. The GT500 was the performance variant with specific trim and equipment. Production ended in 1982. The Cortina was also used as a police pursuit vehicle in some Australian states.