Cortina Automatic

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30918, 26 November 1965, Page 9

Cortina Automatic

'THE Ford Cortina has appeared in several guises. The latest we have tested is the Cortina 1500 automatic. The test car was a four-door saloon with bench seats, and apart from the transmission, was the same as the familiar standard Cortina. The transmission lever is on the left of the column, taking the place of the normal col-umn-mounted gear lever. The selector quadrant is just above the wheel hub, and is illuminated at night. From left to right, the quadrant is marked L (lockup). D (drive), N (neutral). R (reverse) and P (park). To select L when on the move, the lever is pulled back slightly towards the driver before being moved. The transmission is a threestage unit, and with it the Cortina is a smooth and easy-to-drive vehicle that is still a good performer for its capacity. It also seems rather quieter than the manual-trans-mission models we have tested.

The quickness and smoothness of the transmission—most changes are very hard to detect—means the Cortina is rarely left at traffic lights, and if full acceleration is

used the transmission changes to second gear at 30 m.ph. and into top about 60 m.p.h. On more gentle acceleration the changes come at about 10 m.p.h. and 18 m.p.h. Although the transmission is ideal for the person who does a lot of town driving or who simply dislikes changing gears, there is also scope for the use of skill. On hills or tortuous roads selecting L gives the driver more control. If the car is travelling fast, the second gear will engage just under 60 m.p.h. and will not disengage until the selector is moved to D. If the vehicle is moving very slowly, first will be selected and held until D is selected. If L is selected with the car decelerating, second will be engaged and first will engage when the speed drops further. First will then remain locked until the lever is moved.

For a more positive selection of second on approaching a corner the driver can move the selector to L and stab the accelerator: this will engage the lower gear immediately. Otherwise there is sometimes a brief delay. For overtaking or rapid

acceleration there is the usual kick-down switch operated by pushing the accelerator to the floor. This will engage second or first, depending on the speed of the car, but when the accelerator is eased the higher gear is reengaged.

Acceleration is not noticeably improved by starting in L and then moving the lever to D although higher revs, can be reached in low gear by this method. Often when the lever is moved to D the transmission will tend to change direct from first to top. The Cortina’s brakes withstood the fade test well. As I with other Cortinas the I handling was safe and predictable, the steering light and direct and the ride good. The only unpleasant feature of the transmission was the “clonk” both heard and felt when engaging either D or R with the car stopped and the engine idling.

The Cortina automatic costs £1143, and seems a good buy for the person wanting an automatic transmission but who also wants a car of medium size and price.