2-door/4-door 5-seater saloon/estate.

Third-generation medium-sized Cortina, this on all-new chassis platform with wishbone front end and coil springs all round. Swoopy styling inspired by Detroit, and crude, plasticky facia on original models. Much improved from late '73, with new facia, better suspension, and 1.6-litre overhead cam engine instead of original 'Kent' unit. A car for most markets, with trim options from 'base' model all the way to plush trim 'GXL'. GT derivatives as before, but not nearly as sporty or as distinguished. Automatic option was available on most 1.6/2-litre derivatives. Replaced by restyled MkIV for '77 on same platform.