Was the Mk2 Cortina Built in Australia? Do I have a collapsible steering column?

[RobW]

Hi!
I'm working on my project and my engineer would like me to have a collapsible steering column. My car's (mk2 Cortina) manufacture date is 6/71 and the ADRs requiring a collapsible column came in 1/71. So I assumed it was collapsible, however I've been told if it was English-made it might not be? I would have thought any car coming into Oz would have had to comply with current ADRs....even if they were only a few months old....?

I can't see any collapsible sections at the firewall - there's a bit that may be collapsible at the top?
Here's a pic:
It has the 'cusioned' escort-style wheel.
Cheers

[Captain Stubing]

The chassis number prefix tells you where it was built, eg CK75 prefix is built in Sydney, and
75 = Cortina Fordor Deluxe and LSedan Bench Seat. (CK/CG build)

I know you wanted to know that bit! Welcome to the forum, Rob!

[Capriman]

Swanny is partially right.

Capri's, Escort's and Cortina's were all assembled in Australia from Completely Knocked Down kits (CKDs). That is, all the parts were made in the UK and imported into Australia by Ford, where assembly took place at Ford's Homebush Assembly Plant in Sydney.

So, your Corty should have a Chassis code number something like this:
CK76LY12345

Where:
C = Country of origin (Australia, as a Ford UK affiliate)
K = Assembly Plant (Homebush, NSW)
76 = Model Type - 440 Sedan (74 = 220 or 240 & 78 = GT or GT-L)
L = Year of manufacture (1971)
Y = Month of manufacture (June)
12345 = Production Sequence Number (Each vehicle was assigned the
next available number regardless of the type, model or body style.)

On the compliance plate it should also have these ADR numbers:
2, 3, 4, 5A, 7, 8, 10A, 15 & 20.
Having the 10A means that it complies with the ADR collapsible steering column rule brought in in January 1971 (1/71).

It will also have a Model code like:
12133. (The last digit can be 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9)
Where the 12 means Cortina, 1 = 1971, 3 = 440, GT or L and where the last digit is
3=440 4-door bench seat
4=440 4-door bucket seats
5=L 4-door bench seat
6=L 4-door bucket seats
8=GT 4-door bucket seats
9=GT L 4-door bucket seats

I hope this clears things up for you.

Any other questions then just drop another message.

PS. I couldn't see your picture, just a little X in a box!

[RobW]

Thanks Swanny for finding the '75'! And thanks Capriman, I'll check the compliance plate for 10a (I don't know why I didn't think of that! D'oH!) . My Chassis number also has an 'A' at the end - any idea what that signifies? So far I can see it was built in Sydney (Australia) in May 71, as a Deluxe or L Bench seat. No wooden dash facia so I'm guessing the 'Deluxe'.

[Capriman]

RobW, I think you'll find that the code 75 is for the TC/TD Cortina, NOT, the MK2 Cortina that you have. Yours should be either 74, 76 or 78 as per my previous post.

As for the letter A at the end of the Chassis number, I really don't understand that letter. It could be just a 'check' digit. On my Capri it's a P and coincidently, that's the 3.0 litre V6 engine code. I've also seen a C on a Capri V6 code as well, so you're guess is as good as mine.

Also, my understanding is that only the top of the range 'L' Cortina models had the wooden dash facia and maybe some of the GTs too.

Finally if it was built in May 1971 then 5 character is L=1971 and 6th character is L=May, ie CK76LL12345A.

If you put a photo up of your Chassis ID Plate with all the codes I can decipher the lot for you!

[caprispecial]

The collapsable part is the convoluted section in the steering wheel which means that to pass adr/roadworthy the wheel needs to be retained.

[RobW]

Cheers guys - I'll check the compliance plate when I get a chance to get into the shed.
The chassis number is definitely CK75LL10371A though.

@Capriman thanks mate - I'll get a plate photo but I've been having troubles uploading stuff onto sites of late. I looked at decode table and it didn't have '75' for the Mk2 - Hence Swanny's investigations for me. If '75' is a TC model number well then mine really IS a VERY LATE mk2 lol.

@Caprispecial thanks mate! I couldn't see a collapsible bit at the firewall so I suspected that might be it.

[Captain Stubing]

I fixed your image link for you, Rob

[chappy60]

LL denotes it as a may 71 build the 75 is a 4 door column shift also the last of the mk2 had the door key lock below the door handle like a falcon etc earlier cars had it in the push button

[RobW]

Thanks Chappy! Yes it does have the key locks under the door not in the handle.