What are the trim levels for the Mk3 Cortina?
The Mk3 Ford Cortina was offered primarily in four trim levels—L, XL, GL, and Ghia—with equipment and engine options varying by year and market.
This article explains what each trim typically included, how Ford positioned them in the Mk3 lineup during its production years, and notes market-specific variations you might encounter when researching a particular car.
Trim levels at a glance
Below is a concise description of the four primary trim levels used for the Mk3 Cortina in many markets, especially the UK. Each entry highlights the general emphasis of the trim and the typical engine associations, acknowledging that exact specs could differ by year and country.
- L — base level with the simplest equipment and standard interior; commonly paired with the smaller engine options and the most affordable Cortina variant.
- XL — mid-range trim offering more comfort and styling enhancements over L; often available with mid-range engines and additional interior features.
- GL — higher-spec version with more features and chrome/trim upgrades; typically aligned with larger engines or higher-end options within the Mk3 range.
- Ghia — top-of-the-line trim, delivering the most equipment, nicer interior trim, and the best exterior detailing; frequently paired with the more powerful 1.6 or 2.0-litre engines in the Mk3 era.
In summary, the Mk3 Cortina’s four-trim ladder—L, XL, GL, and Ghia—was designed to span from budget-conscious buyers to those seeking the most fully equipped family car of the lineup, with engine choices generally reflecting the level of equipment.
Note: Some markets used slightly different naming schemes or added badges (for example, GXL in certain catalogs). Availability of specific features and engines could vary by year and region, so consulting a period brochure or the car’s build plate can confirm the exact specification for a given example.
Engine and feature alignment
Across the Mk3 range, engine options spanned from around 1.3 to 2.0 liters. The Ghia and GL trims were more likely to be offered with the larger engines or higher equipment levels, while L and XL commonly paired with smaller-displacement powerplants. Exact pairings depended on market and production year.
Market variations
In the UK, Ford typically used the L/XL/GL/Ghia ladder for the Mk3 Cortina, but other regions sometimes used different designations or package names. If you are researching a specific car, original brochures, the VIN/build plate, or Ford archival materials from the period are the best sources for confirming the exact trim and equipment.
Ultimately, the Mk3 Cortina’s four trim levels reflected Ford’s strategy in the era: offer a basic, capable family car (L), a more comfortable middle option (XL), a higher-spec step up (GL), and a flagship version with the most complete equipment (Ghia). This structure helped the Cortina cover a broad market during its late-1960s to mid-1970s run.
Summary: The Mk3 Cortina was sold mainly in four trims—L, XL, GL, and Ghia—with equipment and engine options that varied by year and market. Buyers could typically choose from entry-level to top-spec configurations, often aligning larger engines with the higher-end trims.
What are the trim levels for the Ford Cortina?
Trim levels for the Mark III Cortina were Base, L (Luxury), XL (Xtra Luxury), XLE (Xtra Luxury Edition – Australia and South Africa only), GT (Grand Touring), and GXL (Grand Xtra Luxury). The early Mark III Cortinas came with the same 1300 and 1600 cc engines as the Mark II Cortinas, except for the 1600 cc GXL and GT.
What are the trim levels for the 1969 Ford Cortina?
With eye-catching modern styling, it was originally branded as the Consul Cortina until a modest facelift in 1964, after which, it was sold simply as the Cortina but with four trim levels; Standard, Deluxe, Super and GT.
What is special about the Mk3 Cortina?
The Ford Cortina was a popular family car produced in five generations from 1962 to 1982. The Mk3 model, produced from 1970 to 1976, featured a distinctive "Coke-bottle" design.
What is the rarest Cortina?
In 1977, the new MkIV Ford Cortina appeared in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. Although the fourth generation Cortina was the best-selling car throughout its production run it is now the rarest Cortina. It's thought that this could be down to poor rustproofing and how popular this model is with banger racers.
