For much of its 20-year reign, the Cortina was Britain’s best-selling car, over 2.8 million of which were sold on the UK market.

Yet how often do you see one now - especially a MKI example as tidy and original as the one offered here? In 56 years it has had only four keepers, the first two of which were father and son.

The son apparently commenced a period of rolling refurbishment that was completed by the third owner.

Rather than the amateur patching that afflicts so many cars of a certain age, the repairs to ‘CGR 797C’ involved new metal where required, and were professionally administered.

The impressive red leatherette interior is evidently almost entirely original, with only the carpets and over-mats being of later manufacture.

The only departures from standard specification are an electronic ignition system, stainless steel exhaust, door mirrors and the cigarette lighter socket that was fitted to power an aftermarket SAT/NAV.

The vendor confirms that the car is mechanically...