So rare, some people doubt they actually exist.
A rare gem from Ford's automotive history has been unearthed in an unexpected location. The latest episode of Hagerty's “Barn Find Hunter” YouTube series features the discovery of a Ford Cortina GT wagon, a vehicle that was never officially imported into the US. And this particular Cortina GT wagon holds a special place in automotive lore.
While these days, the Ford F-150 is the default best-seller from the blue-oval brand, the Cortina held the distinction of being Britain's best-selling vehicle during the 1970s. Only a few thousand Cortinas were delivered to customers in the US, and it struggled to gain popularity on this side of the world. There was a sportier version, the Ford Cortina Lotus but it was one of the many Ford models that did not reach American shores.
The Cortina GT wagon served as the station wagon version of the Cortina GT, bridging the gap between the standard Cortina and the high-performance Lotus Cortina. Under the hood is a 1.5-liter gas engine, equipped with a twin-choke carburetor and generating a maximum output of 78 hp, 18 more than the Cortina 1500.
Unfortunately, the sole known Cortina GT wagon in the United States appears to have suffered the ravages of time. It is currently missing several parts, but fortunately, it remains restorable without significant rust issues. While the current owner's plans for the vehicle were not disclosed in the video, it is heartening to know that this rare wagon is now in safe hands.
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What makes this discovery truly remarkable is the rarity of the Cortina GT wagon itself. Reportedly, this variant was never intended for public use, with Ford assembling only a handful of cars specifically for the Kenyan police force. However, there are rumors suggesting that Ford might have sent five left-hand drive cars to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, although their history remains unclear. Photos of the GT wagon are rare in itself, much less the car.
Interestingly, one of these vehicles was discovered in a Pennsylvania barn a few years ago, believed to be the same car featured in the recent “Barn Find Hunter” episode. Barn finds are usually hit or miss, but when they do hit, you can basically hear the cash registers ringing. The level of rarity associated with these vehicles is truly astounding.
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Keyword: The Only Ford Cortina GT Wagon In The US Has Been Found