1971 Ford Cortina GXL

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In the late 1960s, Ford set about developing the third-generation Cortina, the Mark III, which would be produced in higher volumes than before following the merger of Ford of Britain and Ford of Germany into the modern-day Ford of Europe. The car marked the convergence of the German Taunus and British Cortina platforms with only minor differences between the two, hence the car's internal name TC1, standing for Taunus-Cortina. It was also the last European car engineered by Harley Copp as vice president of engineering and head of Brentwood, before he returned to Detroit.

Ford UK originally wanted to call it something other than Cortina, but the name stuck. Although the Mark III looked significantly larger than the boxier Mark II Cortina, it was actually the same overall length, but 4 inches (100 mm) wider. Within the overall length, a wheelbase lengthened by more than 3 inches (76 mm) also contributed to the slightly more spacious interior.

The Mark III Cortina was inspired by the contemporary "coke bottle" design language which had emanated from Detroit – the car sported similar fluted bonnet and beltline design elements to the North American Mercury Montego and Ford LTD of the same era. It replaced both the Mark II Cortina and the larger, more expensive Ford Corsair, offering more trim levels and the option of larger engines than the Mark II Cortina. The Mark III's continental European sister car – the Taunus TC – was subtly different in appearance, with longer front indicators, different taillights, different door skins, different hood and trunk lid pressings (and hence a different radiator grille), and rear-wing pressings that toned down the drooping beltline, lessening the "coke-bottle" appearance of the Cortina. Also, the dual round headlights fitted to the upmarket version of the Cortina Mark III were not available on the Taunus TC1.

The MacPherson strut front suspension was replaced with more conventional double A-arm suspension (also known as double wishbone suspension), which gave the Mark III a much softer ride on the road, but did give cars fitted with the larger, heavier engines distinct understeer.

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).

**Purchase TN:** 38 (To Build) 25 (New) 16 (Used)

• • The 1971 Ford Cortina GXL requires the Drive Skill to be operated.

• • The 1971 Ford Cortina GXL has Headlights (provide illumination 5 x that of 2 flashlights), and seat-belts (+2 bonus to saves made to avoid injury during a collision).

• • The 1971 Ford Cortina GXL has a 4 wheel suspension as a base, this is an extremely efficient way of moving across the ground meaning a car can go 1 ½ its base movement as single move action. (Vehicle Trait)

***Accommodations***

• • 5x Seating Only

***Power System***

• • 4 cylinder Internal Combustion Engine (PL 5)

***Vehicle Systems***

• • 4x Fuel Tanks (PL 5)