1974 Ford Consul GT

Description

Dagenham-built car recently imported from sunny Australia and in wonderfully original and rust-free condition throughout; high compression 3.0 V6 engine; power steering; one of only around a dozen left in the UK; find a better one!

Most famous for its starring role in The Sweeney (John Thaw drove a Copper Bronze one, NHK 295M, astutely loaned by Dagenham’s PR department), the Consul GT was essentially a low spec Granada focused on performance rather than luxury with a high compression 3.0 Essex V6 engine, stiffened suspension, halogen Hella driving lamps, a matt black grille and sports wheels.

While it may have lacked some of the Granada’s creature comforts, the GT was a lighter, nimbler and quicker car, ideal for chasing slags in S-Type Jags through the gritty streets of 1970s London!

This wonderful example is a genuine GT which was built in Dagenham in January 1974 finished in Daytona Yellow with Light Tan vinyl trim, 4-speed manual gearbox, green Sundym glass and rare factory fitted sunroof and power steering. Ford geeks will also note that it has the correct recessed crown on the horn push section of the steering wheel, and the correct driver's door mirror. Minor details perhaps, but testament to the unusual originality of the car.

Nothing is known of the car’s early history but we are told that it has spent most of its life in sunny Australia, hence the excellent state of preservation today. We are also told that the car has never been welded which must make it virtually unique, although it has clearly been repainted at some point.

Imported back to the UK and registered here in February 2023 with the number CCA 591M, it was acquired by our vendor to join a collection of highly original Seventies Fords. Sadly there is no paperwork other than a V5C, but it is clear from the condition of the car that it must have led a very sheltered life. The odometer shows only 22,389kms (13,900 miles) but whether this is genuine or not, who knows? It certainly has the look and feel of a low mileage car.

Starting promptly and running nicely as we have moved it around on site, with excellent oil pressure and a pleasingly throaty exhaust note from the twin pipes at the back, this must surely be one of the best examples out there. It is also an extremely rare model, our vendor being informed by a club expert, Dan Godley (who has also authenticated this car), that there are probably only a dozen genuine Consul GTs known to survive in the UK.  

Only reluctantly for sale to fund a property project, this sharp and well-preserved GT is no doubt capable of scooping awards on the Fast Ford show circuit, should the fortunate new owner feel so inclined.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com