Now back in the day, this cabbie had serious cred, with its three-litre capacity engine, six cylinders and the fact that you didn’t have to be a super-larney to get a hold of one.
Ja, the Ford Cortina. Up in Jozi it was the business, and went by the telling moniker “three-litre Cortina, two-litre coke, one-litre brandy”, like that was some kind of definitive formula for zef coolness.
Anyway, Bobby Nitro was thrilled to hear of this orange beauty owned by Rahim Hoosen, 49, from Grassy Park, where he undoubtedly appreciates the historic and cultural value of what he has here.
Rahim recalls: “As a teenager in the ‘80s we used to frequent the Strandfontein Pavilion and Indiana, which were the main hangout places for racing and spinning. Those are the places where I developed a fascination with these types of cars.”
Rahim is the proud owner of a 1981 V6 Ford Cortina Mk5, that he fondly refers to as “my mistress”, which begs the question “we wonder what his wife thinks of that!”
Photo: Joe Klein
Asked about how he brings his passion for cars to life, Rahim replies: “I enjoy car shows and admire classic cars, I love to restore cars to their original look, with minor modifications. I try and preserve its originality.”
There is a stark contrast between karkoppe who mod their metal beyond recognition and those who restore to originality. Each has their virtues, but Rahim is definitely in the latter camp.
It’s not surprising to hear from Rahim that his father owned a Cortina and it was a two-litre Mk4 Automatic and it was the first car he learned to drive.
Photo: Joe Klein
He continues: “That awakened the passion for Cortinas in me as a young man. It was only later in life that I started looking to purchase the marque. This present Cortina I bought a year and a half ago.
Like all the best finds, the discovery of this car was a story in itself.
“When I found this car, it was parked, never driven by previous owners and covered in blankets. Even after standing for a while, it started immediately. I paid for it and drove home,” he says.
Photo: Joe Klein
Asked what is so extra special about his car, he says: “I love the sound of the engine and it drives like a dream.”
The owner has had no modifications done to the engine, preserving originality, but has done some minor mods to the exterior.
He says: “I had 13-inch SA customs 7J rims fitted with 185 Corsa tyres. Then I upgraded exhaust to a free flow system.”
The interior treatment includes seats being re-upholstered by Russell Trimmers, but Rahim is sure to reiterate “this isn’t the type of vehicle you want to spoil with distasteful modification. It’s a car you keep as close to its original condition as possible.
Photo: Joe Klein
“No further work or modifications are planned as I want to preserve the classic look. I only have to keep her clean,” he says.
There’s a decent sound system for those kwaai old rock ballads - a Sony USB deck, 6-inch splits, Targa 12-inch 4D Street powered by an Ice power 2001.
Rahim, thinking about his experience of the Cortina, says it has an electronic ignition system which is interesting, humorous and annoying all at the same time.
Photo: Joe Klein
“The strong points of this car is the speed and the fact that it has a solid and strong body. A weak point of this car for me at this time, is the high fuel consumption!”
A Ford fan at heart, he dreams of one day driving the new Mustang 5.0-litre V8
Rahim does not belong to any car clubs, as the car is for his personal enjoyment. So, if you want to see it close up, look out on the road from time to time, as it is used daily.