This article originally appeared in a newsletter of the North American English Ford Registry. Reproduced with permission - for a change.

The Mk.II Cortina was built between September 1966 and September 1970. The cars that landed in the United States and Canada had a number of government-mandated features that differentiate the North American 'Federal' Mk.II Cortinas from those sold in the rest of the world.

With the exception of the September to December 1967 cars, each model year of the Federal Cortinas can be identified from outside the car.

1967: The original Mk.II. Look for the bright grille with clear turn signal lenses next to headlights. Door lock cylinder in driver's door handle knob. Narrow 4" rims. Steel dash with crash pad on top. Low back seats with horizontal pattern. The GT had a speed stripe just above the rocker panel.

1967 1/2: (or early 1968 - take your pick). Look identical to 1967 models but harbors a 1600 crossflow under the hood rather than a 1500. It seems as though these were transitional models, especially the GT.

1968: Also bright grille but with orange park lights next to headlights. Orange 'fog' lights on grille are turn signals! Reflectors about 2 1/2" by 4" on front fenders. Door lock about 4" below door handle on driver's door only. Federal dash wih crash pad moulded in around circumference of dash and no glove box at all. Narrow 4" rims. Low back seats with vertical pattern. The GT has a speed stripe just above the rocker panel a la '67.

1969: Big changes. Look for bright on black grille. Turn signals relocated below front bumper due to Federal Regulations concerning separation between headlights and turn signals. Small marker lights, about 1" by 3" on front fenders below bumper. Door locks were about 4" below handles on both doors. Federal dash with glove box magically returned. Wider 4 1/2" rims. High back seat with headrests. Chrome strips above and below taillights. Gts had a wood dash insert, speed stripes running the length of the car along the body crease below the door handles and almost completely blacked out grille.

1970: Much the same as 1969 but with about 2" by 6" marker lights in front fenders above the bumper. Rear panels had either 2 1/2" by 4" reflectors, 2" by 6" reflectors, or 2" by 6" marker lights, I have seem them all. Alternator and non-vented gas cap.

1971: Member Stacy MacKeil has two Mk.II Cortinas that are titled as 1971 models. All English Mk.II production ceased in September 1970; it is possible that some late cars were sold in Canada as '71 models while the Mk.III was being readied for that market.

A car spotter might be interested in being able to tell the difference between a Federal spec Cortina and those sold elsewhere. Here are some easy to spot differences:

• For the 1969 model year, domestic Cortinas received a bold F O R D script on the hood. On Federal models all external Ford identification was deleted.
• For Federal 1969 models the parking lights / turn signals were moved from just outside the headlights to the front valance. These lights stayed put on the domestic models.
• For 1969 the Federal Cortina GT received a blacked out grille a la the Cortina Lotus and 1600E. Federal GTs also received a bold black stripe just below the door handles (similar to the German Ford 17M RS). Neither of these features appeared on the GTs sold in Europe.
• All of the Cortinas sold in the US used the 1600 crossflow engine (except for the 1500s of 1967). However, Canadian buyers had the choice of selecting the 1300 engine (as did buyers in Europe and elsewhere).

Numerous other mechanical and interior differences distinguish the Federal Cortina from those sold elsewhere. Hopefully another member can let the rest of us know what such Federal modifications included.

©2000 Phil Bass & Michael MacSems. Reproduced with permission.