CHASING CARS
ASKING £16,995 PRICE
ENGINE 1996cc/V4/OHV POWER 88bhp@4750rpm TORQUE 116lb ft@3600rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 91mph 0-60MPH 14sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 23-29mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four-speed manual MoT Exempt ODOMETER 70,427 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
An ailing water pump meant that our test drive was rather shorter than normal but it was enough to discover that it was ‘all there’. The V4 starts instantly on automatic choke, emitting that distinctive out-of-balance beat from the new looking stainless exhaust. The twin-choke Weber 2000E carburettor makes its presence felt and the rest of the running gear appears pretty much on the mark, although the clutch feels like it needs adjusting and the brakes feel spongy – they may need bleeding. Quality Pirelli radial tyres enhance the already positive handling.
BODYWORK CHECK
Very presentable and should respond well to minor fettling. Part-restored in 1986 with new sills and a re-spray in the original Spruce Green paint, it remains in very good shape four decades on, no doubt helped by special hand-made wheel arch liners. The car is fundamentally solid – panel fit and finish are fine and the doors close well. On the other hand, the body has number of minor scars. The fibreglass roof and tailgate, which form part of the Abbott conversion, still look like a factory fit and the dark green fabric sunroof looks so sound that it must have been renewed at some point. The car currently wears 1970s Cortina GT MkIII sports wheels but the originals come with the car, complete with 2000E wheel trims.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
Corsair interiors are more upmarket than those of a Cortina, which sired the model. This one is hard to fault for the year; the plumper seats, plusher door cards and additional ‘furniture’ are all in fine order as is the headlining. There’s no sign of deterioration on the centre console, gear lever and
