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Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > Ford Australia Vehicles > Small and Mid Sized Cars > Escort, Cortina, Sierra and Capri

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Old 24-04-2011, 05:19 PM   #1
Philchars
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Default My 78 Cortina GHIA

Hi All, I've been lurking around here for quite some time now.

Thought I would put up a couple pictures of my Cortina.

It is Grandpa Spec atm, but just focused on getting it registered for now and enjoy driving it around with the family.

4.1, Auto.











Let me know what you think.

Phil.

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Old 24-04-2011, 06:05 PM   #2
Neale
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

looks in great nick, what are the plans for it???
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Old 24-04-2011, 06:28 PM   #3
Philchars
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

At this stage, I have no idea... I really want a V8 but I like the idea of doing it up as it sits with it's 4.1. In the end I think I should just leave it as it is with the 6 and if i want a v8 go out and buy a v8 car!

But i'll change my mind a 100 times from now.

Get it on the road for now, drive it.. tidy it up a bit.

Work in progress!


Phil.
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Old 25-04-2011, 11:44 AM   #4
Neale
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

cool either way, one thing if you leave it stock you can put it on historic rego & it can be a cool cheap weekend cruiser
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Old 25-04-2011, 11:14 PM   #5
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

awesome...leave it as is, you dont see these cars in this condition any more.
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Old 25-04-2011, 11:44 PM   #6
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

I remember my parents' 4.1 6GL X-Pac (nearly like a GHIA) 4-speed manual / vinyl roof / overriders / Hella foglights.
What a car it was .... the 4.1 went well indeed for what it was.

Wish I could get that car back ... I remember the rego was KXA 085 (1980 model)

Just to add to this .... having a look at what is on offer out there at the moment on Carsales ... is near impossible to find such a clean unmolested example as well ... you have done well.

Last edited by Mechan1k; 26-04-2011 at 12:05 AM.
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Old 26-04-2011, 04:45 PM   #7
Philchars
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

Yeah, i've been looking at them for a while and there all been modded up a fair bit, each to there own I guess but I like the look of an original car with a few minor touches.....

I think it will be best to keep it a 4.1 but i might just replace the head with an alloy one.

How can I improve the handling of the car? when cornering the whole car rolls major lol..

Phil.
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Old 26-04-2011, 07:27 PM   #8
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

There's another thread in this section of someone trying to sell theirs ... and they had literally done all of the suspension .... but kept the 13" steelies on it ... was a lower than standard ... but nothing over the top. Looks good .... but retained a fair standard look as well.

To stop roll though ... first thing would be replacing shocks and springs with HD items first and foremost ... that will get handling back (better than original as well) That's a starting point ... you can opt to keep the current height ... or lower it (as much as you like really)
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Old 26-04-2011, 10:30 PM   #9
allanv6gt
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

1a. Shocks, ..they are probably 30+ yrs old
1b. Bushes (to tighten it up)...they are also probably 30+ yrs old
2. Springs,
3. Swaybar upgrades,
4. Lowering (unless you've done this at point 2).
If you start with the basics, and then see how much more it needs.

Car looks fantastic. One of those barn finds you here about.
Opportunity for a real sleeper !!!
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Old 26-04-2011, 10:31 PM   #10
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

And if you start changing engines to V8s, then you will need to get it certified by an engineer (AFAIK)....and that means more $$$$$
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Old 27-04-2011, 08:24 PM   #11
Philchars
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

What about these Coils on ebay, worth the money?



$250 Delivered.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FORD-CORTINA-...item4aaa245ac4
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Old 08-05-2011, 12:19 AM   #12
Philchars
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

Little addition i have made, it isn't the original ford symbol.. it is quite larger but fits on there nicely.... old one was all faded..

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Old 07-06-2011, 06:28 PM   #13
Philchars
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

It's on the road now, got it registered today! now I can enjoy it..
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Old 08-06-2011, 07:27 AM   #14
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

Nice .. good work.
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Old 08-06-2011, 07:53 AM   #15
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

MATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 this model was my first car!! i loooooovvvveeeeeedddd it!!!!!!!!!!!!! yeh baby, looking at your photos, it takes me back to a time when i have a massive 302 in it!! you have to do the conversion, these boys with their turbos think they have a fast car????? put a race prepped 302 in your cortina and you will need wings because they get up and boogey with the best of them!!!!!
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Old 08-06-2011, 06:38 PM   #16
Neale
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

great work, are you going to bring it to the Cortina Nationals next year?
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Old 08-06-2011, 06:57 PM   #17
Marquis 351
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

Nice car mate! Enjoy it!
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Old 08-06-2011, 07:11 PM   #18
Philchars
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neale
great work, are you going to bring it to the Cortina Nationals next year?

If time and money permits... then I would!


:P See how i go.....


But for now i'll try and get it running nice and work out what im going to be doing with it...
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Old 08-06-2011, 07:22 PM   #19
THE CADBURY KID
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

Throw some dollars at the x flow and get it singing a fine tune,you wont regret it.There is nothing like a cammy crossflow making over 200hp
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Old 26-10-2011, 09:47 AM   #20
04Fairmontghia
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Default Re: My 78 Cortina GHIA

Love it standard. Looks great, and worth a lot more as it sits without mods.
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