The Dagenham-made Ford Cortina was launched in 1962, though initially only with 1198 or 1498cc engine options for the nation's sales reps. Motor sports enthusiasts started taking the model seriously, though, when the 83bhp Ford Cortina GT with disc brakes at the front started to appear to great effect and in large numbers on rallies. One of the first to star in the model was the great and late Roger Clark, who went on to become a Ford works team driver and a winner of the RAC Rally. Outright wins by Ford Cortina-equipped rally drivers became common, the model becoming even more successful when the 105bhp Ford Lotus Cortina twin cam powered model entered Ford dealer showrooms.
