The shell is a Mk3 ford cortina....only just noticed the engine

the creme de la creme of the era was the 2000 glx
Very well spotted Alan. It is indeed a mk3 Cortina, the 2000E (Executive) model that superceeded the GXL as top model from 1973 to 1976. It was originally fitted with the 1998cc Pinto ohc engine. The 2000E had twin rectangular lights instead of the GXL's quad round headlights, and also had the later dashboard/ interior that was of a similar design to the mk4 and 5 Cortinas. I retrofitted the GXL lights and grill into my 2000E simply because they look so much cooler
As for the engine in mine, it's a fully rebuilt 2.8 litre V6 from a 1982 Granada Ghia. It's actually quite a simple swap to do using 99% original Ford parts. All you need is a 2.3 V6 mk4/ 5 Cortina and its running gear. As the mk3/4/5 Cortinas use the same floorpan the 2.3 running gear swaps straight into a mk3 shell. And as the 2.3 is just the smaller capacity version of the 2.8 V6 (both known as 'Cologne' engines), that means the 2.8 V6 swaps straight over (much like fitting a 1242 FIRE in place of a 999cc FIRE). Some people have even fitted the 3.0 litre (or was it 2.9?) Cosworth V6 from the mk3 Granada Cosworth/ 90's Scorpio as this was still based on the Cologne engine. 210bhp as standard :devil:
I originally built mine back in the early 90's so things like the Cossie engine were out of reach. Now you can pick them up for next to nothing
It was one of the first mkIII's on a J plate with single lights and the chrome grille. Bought it for £100 in the early 90's and sold it at 1000% profit
Wow, that was a good deal for you!

Plus a 'J' plate would be the first year they were made so it would be a very early mk3. Like you I paid not a lot for mine (£275 with 6 months MOT in 1990, standard apart from rust) but have no idea what it's worth now. It's probably a bit difficult to value being modified and also with the price of fuel as it is it's not going to be economical to run - I reckon low 20's to the gallon, maybe more on a run.
Anyway, I might be getting it on the road if it's viable as this is the last summer I will have a chance to do something with it. I might try and get it road legal, drive it for a month or so and then sell it

() and put the money towards my degree course next year.
Time will tell what will happen. First thing I've got to do is get it moving as the brakes are seized solid...