One of the most distinctive cars of its era courtesy of American-inspired styling and the pioneering use of quad headlamps, the Classic nevertheless was a short-lived interim model produced for little more than two seasons pending the arrival of the Cortina.

Mechanically the Classic followed the pattern established by the Anglia 105E, featuring McPherson strut independent front suspension, live rear axle and a longer-stroke, 1,340cc version of the Anglia engine.

The gearbox and clutch too were carried over from the smaller car; the Classic's front disc brakes though, were a novelty on a medium-sized family saloon of the period.

A 1,500cc variant superseded the original in August 1962, bringing with it more power, greater flexibility, higher top speed and an all-synchromesh gearbox.

A 1,500cc model equipped with column gearchange, this example remained in single family ownership from new until 1995.

The car had seen little use in the early 1990s and underwent mechanical refurbishme...