How many Ford Cortinas are left in New Zealand?
Uncommon 1 in 1,497 on the road Built 1962-1985 Sold new in New Zealand
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
Britain's best-selling car for most of the 1970s, built from 1962 to 1982 over five generations. The Lotus Cortina, with a twin-cam engine, was a touring car winner in Jim Clark's hands.
Still on the road, by model year
The most are from 1982: 282 still registered. Every year is listed under the chart.
Every model year
| Model year | Still registered |
|---|---|
| 1962 | 12 |
| 1963 | 83 |
| 1964 | 150 |
| 1965 | 216 |
| 1966 | 254 |
| 1967 | 113 |
| 1968 | 151 |
| 1969 | 181 |
| 1970 | 233 |
| 1971 | 46 |
| 1972 | 114 |
| 1973 | 96 |
| 1974 | 83 |
| 1975 | 123 |
| 1976 | 105 |
| 1977 | 61 |
| 1978 | 116 |
| 1979 | 103 |
| 1980 | 165 |
| 1981 | 210 |
| 1982 | 282 |
| 1983 | 216 |
| 1984 | 4 |
| 1985 | 3 |
By generation
How many of each generation are still registered.
| Which one | Built | Left | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mk1 | 1962–1966 | 461 | Scarce |
| Mk2 | 1966–1970 | 445 | Scarce |
| Mk3 | 1970–1976 | 462 | Scarce |
| Mk4 | 1976–1979 | 177 | Scarce |
| Mk5 | 1979–1983 | 873 | Scarce |
By badge
The versions the register records, most numerous first.
| Which one | Built | Left | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| GT | 146 | Rare | |
| Ghia | 83 | Rare | |
| Super | 58 | Rare | |
| Lotus | 54 | Rare | |
| GTE | 37 | Rare | |
| Deluxe | 16 | Rare | |
| GL | 15 | Rare | |
| 1600E | 14 | Rare | |
| 2000E | 4 | Rare |
What Uncommon means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 3,123 still registered, the Ford Cortina is Uncommon: the grade for cars with 1,200 to 7,999 left.
By how many are left it ranks 16th of the 126 Ford models and 242nd of all 2,903 cars in Spotto's catalogue.
The six grades: Common, 8,000 or more · Uncommon, 1,200 to 7,999 · Scarce, 175 to 1,199 · Rare, 25 to 174 · Super rare, 5 to 24 · Unicorn, fewer than 5.
Seen one?
Spotto grades every car on New Zealand roads by how many are still registered, down to the generation and the badge. Log the ones you spot, build a collection, and see who else has found one.