Corgi 1/43 Ford Cortina Mk5 2.0 Ghia S Solar Gold

The Cortina modelled was ordered new by Mrs Patricia Loretta Simkins from her local Ford main dealer, Sandicliffe Ford, Nottingham Road, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, in early 1980 and registered on April 30th, 1980. Having enjoyed her husband George's Mk3 Cortina company car, she decided to purchase a new Cortina to replace her Hillman Hunter after inheriting some funds.She went to the dealer intending to order a 1.6L but during the visit, her three teenage sons, Mark, Nigel and Chris, persuaded her to order a 2-litre Ghia S because it would be more comfortable for family holidays. 

Being an early Mk5 it didn't feature the three stripes along the lower bodysides that later Ghias displayed. Patricia had her new car Ziebart rust-proofed to protect it and, although she used it regularly, it was always kept in a dry garage and did relatively few miles. She replaced it with a new car in 2001 but kept the Cortina in the same garage. 

Unfortunately, it got damaged in the garage when the new car was driven into it, leading to it being repaired by Sandicliffe Ford. Patricia passed away in 2006, but the Cortina remains in the same garage, living with her youngest son Chris. The brothers now consider it to be a family heirloom and use it to attend classic car shows and other events. It has covered just under 29,000 miles and remains in very good original condition.