The UK designed Cortina was designed to be cheap to build an economical to run. It also proved to be a great little car in the racing world, doing very well in varied motorsport events. With the Mk I, there were 2 main variations, the first, the 1962-64 Consul Cortina, known as the 'pre airflow' had elliptical front indicators outside the grille. The main facelift in Oct 1964, the 'airflow' model, the Consul dropped, now just Cortina, the grille now incorporated squarer parkers. It also got the new flow through ventilation In England and NZ, the Mk I was available in 2 or 4 door saloon and 5 door estate, models were the 46hp 1200cc Standard or Deluxe or 60hp 1500cc Super and 78hp 1500 GT. Lotus developed a Mk I for racing duties, all 2 door cars and white with a green flash, they got the 105hp twin cam 1500. Also built in Australia, models there were; 220 2 door (1200cc), 240 2 door and 440 4 door (both with 60hp 1500) also the 4 door GT (78hp 1500) and limited edition race ready 98hp 2 door GT500.

Ford commissioned Harry Firth to build 110 cars to make sure Ford won the 1965 Armstrong 500 (Hence the name GT500) (Bo Seton and Mitch Bosworth did win the race) They were based on the Cortina GT, but 2 door with alloy brake scoops, auxilliary fuel tank with twin fillers, Lotus close ratio gearbox, a modified engine, (new cam, lightened flywheel and modified heads) ported and polished head and lowered suspension.