Market Watch: Ford Cortina TC-TF
Australia’s favourite four-cylinder car for much of the 1960s faced tough competition during the decades that followed and a complete change to its design.
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Ford Cortina TC-TF
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All Cortinas built before 1972 had used four-cylinder engines, but with sales being pinched by the long-nosed Holden Torana, offering a bigger motor was imperative.
The biggest engine available in an LJ Torana displaced 3.3 litres, and most were fitted sporty and pricey GTR or XU-1 versions. But 3.3 litres was just where Ford’s six-cylinder Cortina began.
From there the capacity leapt to 4.1 litres or 250 cubic inches – almost the same size as the V8 that would become available to Torana buyers from 1974.
Three levels of Cortina 6 trim were offered, ranging from the ‘fleet spec’ L to a better-equipped XL and the almost luxurious XLE. The cheapest version was available only with 3.3 engines, while XLEs had a 4.1 as standard, with automatic or four-speed manual transmission.
Manual TC-TD XLEs offered acceleration and straight-line speed to match a 4.2-litre Torana or 4.0-litre Centura, with a standing 400-metre time of 16.8 seconds.
TDs and the models which followed adopted multifunction steering column stalks which eliminated the floor-mounted dipper switch.
The sedan boot, which needed to accommodate a 54-litre fuel tank and feed the thirsty Falcon engines, wasn’t especially large, but load conscious owners will be able to find a six-cylinder XL wagon which accommodates lots of luggage at half the price of an XLE sedan.
Cornering was an issue when the cars were new and won’t have improved much despite better bushings, springs and tyres becoming available. The engine is just too far forward and too heavy for a car of this size to corner without pronounced understeer.
Six-cylinder Cortinas of all kinds have climbed in value during the past decade by over 200 per cent. Four-speed cars will be worth more than three-speed manual or automatics. Four cylinder versions will typically be worth 30 per cent less than a 4.1.
If buying with value growth in mind, be cautious when considering one that has been ‘personalised’.
How the prices moved
| MODEL | YEARS | COND 3 | COND 2 | COND 1 |
| 2010 | ||||
| Cortina TC-TD XL Six | 1972-76 | $1500 | $2800 | $5000 |
| Cortina TC-TD XLE | 1972-76 | $1800 | $3600 | $5400 |
| Cortina TE-TF Six | 1977-82 | $1000 | $2400 | $4000 |
| Cortina TF Ghia Six | 1977-82 | $1400 | $2800 | $5000 |
| 2015 | ||||
| Cortina TC-TD XL Six | 1972-76 | $1500 | $4500 | $7500 |
| Cortina TC-TD XLE | 1972-76 | $1800 | $5200 | $8500 |
| Cortina TE-TF Six | 1977-82 | $1000 | $2500 | $5500 |
| Cortina TF Ghia Six | 1977-82 | $1400 | $3500 | $6500 |
| 2018 | ||||
| Cortina TC-TD XL Six | 1972-76 | $3300 | $10,000 | $16,500 |
| Cortina TC-TD XLE | 1972-76 | $4500 | $13,500 | $19,500 |
| Cortina TE-TF Six | 1977-82 | $2200 | $7500 | $13,500 |
| Cortina TF Ghia Six | 1977-82 | $3500 | $10,000 | $16,500 |
| 2021 | ||||
| Cortina TC-TD 2.0 | 1972-76 | $3500 | $9500 | $16,500 |
| Cortina TE-TF 2.0 | 1977-82 | $4000 | $11,000 | $18,000 |
| Cortina TC-TD XL Six | 1972-76 | $6000 | $17,000 | $25,000 |
| Cortina TC-TD XLE | 1972-76 | $8500 | $22,500 | $31,500 |
| Cortina TE-TF Six | 1977-82 | $4000 | $12,000 | $19,500 |
| Cortina TE-TF Ghia Six | 1977-82 | $4500 | $13,000 | $22,500 |
| 2023 | ||||
| Cortina TC-TD 2.0 | 1972-76 | $3800 | $11,000 | $18,500 |
| Cortina TE-TF 2.0 | 1977-82 | $4500 | $12,500 | $20,000 |
| Cortina TC-TD XL Six | 1972-76 | $7000 | $19,000 | $27,000 |
| Cortina TC-TD XLE | 1972-76 | i/D | $27,000 | $36,000 |
| Cortina TE-TF Six | 1977-82 | $5500 | $14,500 | $21,500 |
| Cortina TE-TF Ghia Six | 1977-82 | $7500 | $20,000 | $28,500 |
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