Performance Review: Ford Cortina MkII GT - [1968]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Cortina Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Cortina MkII GT is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1968. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8 and the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429.This particular Ford Cortina has a 1599cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Cortina shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cortina's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 875 kgs (1929 lbs) this makes the Ford Cortina MkII GT in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Cortina shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1599cc 8V St4 engine produces 92 bhp (68 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (98 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 105 lb-ft (142.3 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Cortina you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Ford Fiesta ST (130.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Cortina.

The Ford Cortina has a Power to weight ratio of 105.1 bhp per ton and 120.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1968 Cortina competing with the 2005 Ford Fiesta ST (130.1 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo (130.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Cortina generating around 120.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (145.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 (144.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.4 secs, this made the Ford Cortina MkII GT as fast as the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 (12.00 secs) the 1977 Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen (12.00 secs) the 1965 Bentley T 6.2 V8 (12.00 secs) the or the 1959 Bentley S 2 Saloon (12.00 secs). This Ford Cortina MkII GT is also faster than the 1967 Mercedes 200 W114 Sedan Serie 1 (12.10 secs) the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 Coupe (12.10 secs) the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 (12.10 secs) the and the 1970 Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v (12.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cortina and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Ford Cortina on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.51 secs @ 78.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (17.43 secs), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (17.47 secs), and the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (17.48 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1968 version of the Ford Cortina MkII GT has a maximum speed of 96mph.

Top Speed of the 1968 Cortina equals the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 (107 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1968 Ford Cortina MkII GT then how about the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 (107 mph), the 1963 Porsche 356 C 1.6 Coupe (107 mph), or the 1954 Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 (107 mph).

Related Links:

1968 Cortina Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison