Ford Cortina V6 Supercharged | PH Private Area

Think fast Cortinas and there’s only one answer: Lotus. It’s the icon of five generations of Ford’s best-selling saloon, and a tin-top racing hero. Even the less popular Cortina Lotus that came with the MkII is still one of the better-recognised fast Fords out there. From the Mk3 onwards, there was never really a proper performance flagship of the ‘Tina from Ford (though the Savage builds continued). Or not for the UK, at least – there was a 3.0-litre V6 for South Africa and everything up to a 4.1-litre straight six in Australian cars. And in Ford’s defence, the V6 offered here didn’t do brilliantly: ‘2.3-litre Cortinas never sold particularly well in the UK’, says one well-known online encyclopedia. So the overwhelming majority of Cortinas in the UK are four-cylinder.

But we all have a favourite V6-powered Ford, be it a Capri, Granada, Sierra, Mondeo or, um, Probe. Because they were great. Now there might be a new one, more potent than all of them. Because one enterprising PHer has brought to life a Mk3 Cortina with a 3.0-litre V6. A supercharged V6, too, complete with a blower standing proud of the bonnet like a true hot rod. 

And it isn’t the lovable if fairly limp (by modern standards) Cologne. This Cortina uses the Duratec V6 as found in the Jaguar S-Type – and used by Rocketeer in its MX-5 conversions thanks to its compact dimensions, low weight and rev-happy character. It’s the perfect unit for this kind of project. It makes the best part of 240hp as standard, so supercharged – and with Edelbrock four-barrel carb – must mean at least 300hp. In case it wasn’t clear this isn’t just any old Cortina. 

That power reaches the road through a five-speed Getrag manual and modified rear axle (with LSD) from a Fox body Mustang. There are a host of additional modifications to make the most of the power boost, too, including Gaz suspension, bigger brakes and Toyo tyres. The advert features a great picture from the Cortina’s five-page Classic Ford feature, too – it’ll seemingly oversteer as and when required, which is excellent news. 

Even the static images reveal plenty to love, with some cool body modifications (see the Savage-style stripes, a fibreglass bonnet like one of the Aussie monsters, plus the Capri RS3100 spoilers) and a nicely redone interior. The engine bay is pristine. Fresh from a service at the company that originally worked on the V6, it’s said to be running a treat. There must be many of us very keen to find out.

And the best bit? It’s for sale at £15k. As the classic market continues to covet originality, so anything that has been expensively (and extensively) modified looks all the more tempting. There aren’t many Cortinas on PH, but the supercharged V6 hellraiser is the cheapest one – and surely the most entertaining. Of course, it deserves to be cherished and cared for, but it doesn’t need to be treated like an antique in the way so many cars with Blue Oval badges must be because of their value. To hell with originality – this looks enormous fun, and that’s just as important. The sound will probably be worth the money by itself.