Corgi VA15009 Ford Cortina Mk5 2.0 Ghia S - Sirius Red

The Cortina modelled was ordered by Harry Cooper, the MD of a Derbyshire-based joinery firm, and built in Germany in late 1979. It was supplied by Hanger Ford, Wellford Road, Leicester, on 14th February 1980, and aside from being finished in a rare colour that was only offered for a short time, it is unusual in that he ordered every available option. 

These included a sump guard, remote boot release, cruise control and economy lights embedded in the speedometer. Mr Cooper sold it when it was almost five years old, and its second owner kept it for twenty-five years, asking the supplying dealer to fit a Type-9 5-speed Sierra gearbox early in his tenure.

By 2009, it had covered 120,000 miles and was purchased by South Wales-based enthusiast Alan Downs for £1,000. He initially used it daily before deciding to restore this uniquely specified car. He stripped it completely and was pleased to find it only needed one new front wing, before having it resprayed. 

He fitted as many Ford new old stock parts as possible, powder-coated numerous components, and returned it to the road in spring 2012. It won several prizes at Ford shows but a change in his family circumstances led to its purchase by Ford enthusiast Bruce DiMario from Dorset, in 2013. He rebuilt the noisy back axle before selling the now perfect car to longstanding North Wales-based Ford collector Ian Mills, in May 2014.