Ford Australia announced their 1965 Cortina range on March 3 - the day this issue of Modern Motor hit the streets in Sydney.

Outwardly the cars differ little from previous models - main styling change is the grille, now widened to take in the turn flashers. But there are several important innovations in other departments:

• Front wheel disc brakes are now standard on all models - the discs being 9 1/2 in. diameter Girlings.
• Both engines are up in power, the 1200 c.c. unit rising from 49 to 54.5 b.h.p. and the 1500 c.c. from 60 to 65 (corresponding torque increases are from 66.5 ft./lb. to 69.5 at 2700 r.p.m. for the 1200, and from 85.5 ft./lb. to 88.5 at 2300 for the 1500). Compression ratio (previously 8.7:1) is up to 9.1 on the 1200 and 9.0 on the 1500; this, together with lower rear-axle ratios, is intended to preserve good fuel economy.
• Ford's new closed-window ventilation system is introduced on all models. Air taken in at the front of the car is channelled through swivelling direction-control nozzles set in the ends of the dash and drawn out through the back. All air inside the car is thus replaced every 40 seconds, say Ford, who claim the ventilation is as efficient in traffic jams as at high speed and also effectively prevents window-misting.
• The restyled dash features improved controls, including toggle switches for lights and screen-wipers. Steering-wheel is now three-spoke, dished and moved closer to the dash to give more lap room; it's also half an inch smaller in diameter.
• Screen washers are standard on all except the cheapest basic model.
• Seat-belt anchorages are provided not only in the floor (as previously) but also in the door pillars, so that the far more effective three-point, lap-and-sash type belts can now be fitted without drilling extra holes. Another safety measure is the provision of child-proof catches on the back doors of four-door models.
• Finally, there's a better padding and springing in the seats, which also feature new fluted upholstery.

At the same time, Ford have slashed £73 off the price of the basic two-door 1200 c.c. Cortina. At £869 tax-paid, the 220 (as it's now called) should prove a formidable competitor in the low-price field - even though it has only one sun visor and lacks such niceties as screen-washers, water-temperature gauge, armrest-doorpulls, front parcel tray, door-operated courtesy light and boot mat.

The other three models in the range are: the 240 - a luxury (meaning fully-equipped) version of the 220, costing £935; the 440, a four-door model with choice of bench or bucket-type front seating (all others have buckets), at £985; and the Cortina GT, which adds twin radius arms on the rear suspension and sells for £1218.

The 1500 c.c. engine is optional on the 240 and 440 models (though not on the 220) and costs an extra £33.