The Ford Cortina (Shire Library)

When launched in 1962, the Ford Cortina was an entirely new type of British car. Compared with its rivals - and with earlier Fords - it was light yet strong, inexpensive yet roomy, mechanically simple and cheap to maintain. It quickly established a totally new class of car. Once it was seen to be a success, there was a rush to emulate it. More than a million of the original-style cars were made, and after twenty years well over four million had been produced. There were saloons, estate cars, sporty models, and even special machines ready for motor racing - something for everyone, everywhere.