Did Ford sell the Cortina in the US?
No — Ford did not officially sell the Cortina in the United States.
The Cortina was Ford of Europe’s staple family sedan from the early 1960s through the early 1980s. It was designed for European buyers and exported to a range of international markets, but US dealerships did not offer it as part of Ford's regular lineup. Private imports of Cortinas did occur on rare occasions, but Ford did not market the car in the US.
What was the Ford Cortina?
The Cortina was a mid-sized family car produced by Ford in Europe from 1962 to 1982, spanning several generations (Mk I through Mk V). It became Ford of Europe’s best-selling model for much of its run and helped establish the blue oval’s reputation in European mass-market motoring. Its design evolved from compact, boxy styling to more aerodynamic shapes as generations advanced.
Markets where the Cortina was sold
The Cortina reached a wide array of markets beyond the United States, primarily in Europe and in select overseas regions. The following list highlights where the model enjoyed sale and distribution in its various generations.
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Continental Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Benelux countries, and others)
- Australia and New Zealand
- Africa (notably South Africa and neighboring markets)
- Parts of Asia and the Middle East (where local distributors offered Cortina variants)
The Cortina’s international footprint varied by generation and country, with some markets only receiving certain trims or body styles during different years.
Why Ford did not sell the Cortina in the US
Ford did not import or market the Cortina in the United States, a decision driven by strategic, regulatory, and market considerations. The US division prioritized models built for American regulations and demand, while the Cortina’s European design, engine options, and safety/emissions packages would have required substantial certification and adaptation. Importing a European-market sedan into the US would also have confronted stiff competition from established Ford sedans and other domestic and import offerings, reducing the business case for a Cortina launch.
In short, the Cortina never made the leap to US showrooms as an official Ford product, though its existence shaped Ford’s European engineering and helped set the template for later Ford models sold worldwide.
Legacy and impact
The Cortina helped define Ford’s European strategy for two decades, evolving through multiple generations (Mk I to Mk V) and influencing design language, safety, and efficiency improvements across Ford’s regional lineup. In 1982, the Cortina was replaced by the Ford Sierra, signaling a pivot toward more aerodynamic, hatchback-oriented styling that would dominate Ford’s European offerings throughout the 1980s and beyond.
Summary
The Ford Cortina was a cornerstone of Ford’s European portfolio but remained a US-nonofficial model. It enjoyed widespread sales in the UK, Europe, and other regions, while the United States was served by other Ford products. The Cortina’s legacy endures in how Ford approached European-market design and global branding.
Was the Ford Cortina available in the US?
Ford in the United States imported both the Mark I and Mark II Cortina models. The Mark II was sold in the United States from 1967, achieving 16,193 cars sold in its first year. Sales of the Mark II in 1968 were 22,983. Sales in 1969 reached 21,496.
Does Jeremy Clarkson own a Ford Cortina?
“Always Ford Cortinas,” Clarkson says. “That's why I bought a Ford Cortina, I didn't know there were other cars. I was raised in a Ford Cortina, only ever went anywhere in a Ford Cortina so I thought I better buy a Ford Cortina then.” His example was a 1969 Ford Cortina 1600E.
What is the value of a Ford Cortina today?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $10,700 for a 1965 Ford Cortina Mk I in good condition with average spec.
What does Ford Cortina mean in English?
The Ford Cortina , which dates from 1962,was the second blunder. Cortina , which literally means "curtain "in Spanish, also has a colloquial meaning Spain, and that is "old jalopy".
