File:1976 Ford TD Cortina 2.0 L Saloon (35281202306).jpg

The UK designed Cortina was built from 1962-82. The 1971-76 Mk III Cortina, also known as the TC (Taunus Cortina), now built on the same platform as the German Ford Taunus, got a new 'coke bottle' shape. The Mk III was the same length as the Mk II but wider and heavier. The sister car, the Ford Taunus, a slightly squarer shape was sold in Europe. Models available in England were; L, XL, GT and GXL (GTs and GXLs got 4 headlights) Initially Mk IIIs got the 1300 and 1600cc 4 cyl OHV Kent engine from the Mk II. Progressively, the 1600 and 2000cc OHC Pinto engines were introduced. The TC was also built in Australia, models there were; L, XL and XLE, (the XLE got 4 headlights) The L and XL got either the 1600 or 2000 cc 4 cyl, the XLE got the 200 or 250 cu in 6 cyl from the Falcon (optional on the XL). The first Mk IIIs, known as the TC got a dash that sloped away. A facelift in late 1973, the TD, got a new plastic grille and the dash was now flat (like the later TE), in the UK, the GXL was replaced by the 2000E, all models, except the L, got rectangular headlights, then from 1976, all Australian Cortinas had rectangular headlights, unless fitted with the optional Rallye Pack. The Mk III Cortina was also built in South Africa with the Essex 2.5 and 3.0 V6.