The MkII was an important vehicle for Ford, in showing that development & improvement would help make their cars attractive to an ever more discerning buying public. Introduced in the autumn of 1967, the MkII was built around the same floor pan as its predecessor, but with new boxy bodywork with more angular styling and flatter panels than seen on the Mk1.
This new Marque was available in De Luxe, Super and GT guises. The Super had new standard features, such as wheel trims, pile carpets (as opposed to rubber matting), cigar lighter, coat hooks and a padded fascia. The GT with its 1500cc engine and twin choke webers made the Grand Tourer badge applicable. 0-60 in 13.8 seconds! Remember this was 1966. The twin radius arms fitted to the rear axle helped the car handle the extra power. The fitting of temperature, oil pressure, ammeter, tachometer gauges and centre console with bucket seats added to the sporty image of this car.
In March 1967 the Lotus Cortina appeared at the Geneva motor show. The 1558cc overhead camshaft engine was a potent power plant. Available in two door only, this car looks the part. 0-60 in just under 10 seconds was a marked improvement over the GT.
September 1967 saw the introduction of the 1600E which inspires this website. I can remember the E from my childhood and was one of the first cars I always wanted, in metallic Gold. Hard to believe that the list price was £982.2s.1d! Based on a four door version of the GT, the 1600 Executive was packed with luxury extras and trimmings. The same drive train as the GT, performance was good for a four door. 0-60 in 12.5 (get up there mystic wind). Handling was better still, due to the fitting of the same suspension as the Lotus Cortina.
Rostyle wheels, lowered suspension and extra driving lamps made this car stand out. Inside too saw some refinements. Reclining seats, Polished Door Cappings & fascia. Leather covered 3 spoke aluminium steering wheel, pile carpets and acoustic insulation with the full GT type instrumentation it was indeed a luxuriously fast Ford.
Total productions figures for the MK2 are quite impressive at 1,010,600
