Oxford's Ford Cortina Mk5 model represents the last in the Ford of Great Britain Cortina series, labelled a medium sized family car which spanned three decades from 1962 to 1982. It was the UK’s best selling saloon car throughout the 1970s. The Mk 5 was launched in August 1979 and in reality was an upgrade of the Mk IV, with prices starting at £3,475. The physical improvements included revised squared off headlights incorporating larger indicators, a slatted front grille, a flattened roof, slimmer C-pillars and revised vent cover. The interior also benefited from detailed changes, including the dashboard and centre console. Improvements were also made to the engine range resulting in better fuel economy and power output. The 2.3-litre V6 engine was given electronic ignition and a slight boost in power output to 116 bhp, compared with the 108 bhp Mark IV. Ford also added improved corrosion protection on Mark V models, which is probably why more Mk 5 models have survived. Our 1:76 scale tooling incorporates the physical features of the original and makes its debut in a bright red with black exterior trim, registered MMP 12X from 1981. The interior is brown except for the steering wheel and dashboard which are dark grey.