1966 Mk1 cortina GT She Drives!

4 minute(s) of a 319 minute read

It's taken longer than I expected but it's not as though I'm going anywhere! I had been struggling to find a few parts for the gearbox such as detent springs and a new cup for the selector (I'll come onto that). The gearbox went together much quicker and easier than it had the 1st time I did one of these - that layshaft fitting is truly stressful and designed by a sadist!

Fortunately the Record made for a good casing stand - I love that vice...

Within a couple of hours - tea breaks and helping Mrs. Jim in the garden the box was completed and tested using the floppy old shifter

A couple of days later the missing parts were delivered and I could motor on and get the shifter stripped and rebuilt.

You can see how shot these bushes were and the spring cup damaged added to the throw! I found out these parts are the same on the Elan so made it much easier to source - the aluminium cup was chosen over plastic for longevity for the little extra in cost, it needs a little bit of adjustment still but the feel is vastly improved and feels more like how I remember it being when the Cortina was on the road.

Of course this was all being filmed and for anyone who is undertaking this work there are some useful tips.

now that the gearbox was finished I figured I'd do a few little jobs as I couldn't go to my parents to get the engine stand, I'd scotchbrited the cill kick plates and used this meguiars polish which gives a great shine and smells rather fruity (not a sponsor).

I have been having a visitor recently as I leave the door open - she is ours and loves to climb things! If only she would decide if she's black or ginger!

The week before we went into lockdown I took Mrs. Jim to the Emma Bridgewater factory for her birthday where we toured the pottery factory, had a fancy lunch and then had the opportunity to decorate out own piece of pottery so naturally I chose a mug because I love tea! My artistic side is clearly something that needs working on but we had a great day out and is something you all need to consider if you want to score some brownie points at home!

I got my inspiration from the Cortina - the GT badge and Lotus stripe for the handle!

This is meant to be an empty sign and not a 1 armed robot with a knife!

EDIT

With us now being able to visit people but not go inside I managed to get the engine side by proxy from my parents garage, this week I have put it on the stand to get a few jobs done before it goes into the bay.