Basic Information and History

1966 was the year when the Ford Cortina GT cemented its position as a public favorite among sportier everyday cars. A model that set the tone both on the road and in motorsport – especially with the GT version, where the rally heritage is visible in every detail. Now you have the opportunity to acquire a genuine enthusiast’s Ford Cortina GT – a Swedish-sold example with authentic ownership history.

This Cortina GT was originally delivered to Sweden and has a documented mileage of 177,195 km. The car has had a total of four owners, with the first owner, Gunnar Eskil Johansson in Luleå, keeping it for 48 years. After that, the car has had three more owners in the Norrbotten region, clearly reflected in its robust preservation.

For the initiated, this car embodies northern Swedish automotive history, complete with instruction manuals, service book, Ford original warranty papers for a factory-new engine, as well as older service records and receipts. Original car and childhood dream in one: the seller recalls how both his older brother and uncle drove Cortina GTs at the end of the 1960s, and how this particular model always remained his dream car.

Equipment and Options

1. GT equipment
2. Lotus front bumper (aftermarket)
3. Aluminum wheels (new, driven only about 100 km)
4. Sports steering wheel (not original)
5. Original replacement engine (approx. 45,000 km)
6. New master brake cylinder, wheel cylinders, pads, shoes, and brake lines

Modifications and improvements: Lotus front bumper installed for both looks and feel, as well as new aluminum wheels for an optimal driving experience. The steering wheel has been replaced with a sports model, but the original feel of the interior is otherwise preserved.

Condition

Body & Exterior

The car was refurbished and repainted in autumn 2022. The entire body was stripped to bare metal, primed with epoxy, painted, and clear-coated according to best practice. Rust repairs were carried out on the front fenders, rear wheel wells, and front shock absorber mounts. Chrome, trim, lenses, and emblems are all in very good condition. The windshield has some scratches but is fitted with a new seal. Other glass is in excellent condition. The car is now guaranteed 100% rust-free.

Interior

The interior is in very good condition and partially restored. The dashboard has a minor crack of about 4 cm. The headliner is very fresh. Steering wheel, controls, and switches are in very good condition – note that the steering wheel has been replaced with a sports model.

Wheels & Tires

Brand new tires (driven approx. 100 km) and new aluminum wheels.

Mechanics & Functionality

The engine, an original replacement unit, has run about 45,000 km and is in very good condition. The brake system has been fully rebuilt: new master unit, wheel cylinders, pads, shoes, and brake lines. The gearbox was completely rebuilt in 2024 with a new gearbox crossmember, clutch, and a balanced driveshaft with new universal joints. The car is fully drivable and in excellent technical condition.

Service History

Most service work is documented through older records and receipts. In addition, service literature, ownership documents, and the original warranty for the factory-new engine are included. The most recent oil service for the engine and gearbox was carried out in spring 2025. The car was last inspected and approved on 2019-05-03. Maintenance has mainly consisted of ongoing work on all vital components: engine, brakes, gearbox, and drivetrain.

Summary

This is your chance, as a Ford enthusiast with a passion for 1960s British motoring culture, to acquire an excellently preserved and thoroughly restored 1966 Ford Cortina GT – Swedish-sold with solid documentation and a long northern Swedish ownership history. The car combines untouched charm with the right enthusiast upgrades: new paint, Lotus-inspired front, aluminum wheels, and fully restored mechanics.

Restored over three years and in very fine condition. The original replacement engine has only run about 45,000 km. With many new or rebuilt components, this car is both a safe investment and pure driving pleasure for its next owner.