Gunston Cortina | |
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Ford Cortina Gunston Perana
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Basil Green Motors |
Production | 1967 - 1972 |
Assembly | South Africa |
Escort Perana | |
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Ford Escort Perana
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Basil Green Motors |
Production | 1968 - ? |
Assembly | South Africa |
Capri Perana | |
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Ford Capri Perana V8
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Ford of South Africa |
Production | 1969 - 1973 |
Assembly | South Africa |
Granada V8 | |
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Ford Granada V8
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Basil Green Motors |
Production | 1973 - 1977 |
Assembly | South Africa |
Basil Green Motors (VIN: BG) is a former car manufacturer and racing team which is located in Edenvale, Gauteng near Johannesburg, South Africa. The company has specialized in Ford vehicles, in which the manufacturer's models are recognized by the brand name Perana added to the model name. The name Perana is a deliberate misspelling, as Piranha already had been protected. Currently the company is active as a dealer of Ford and Mazda vehicles.
Founded in 1967 by Basil Green the company dealt with engine tuning of Ford vehicles and participated in a variety of races as racing team. After winning several races the Ford Motor Company became aware of the company and used the company for some of the South African models as a kind of in-house tuner.
The first model of the manufacturer was the Ford Cortina Perana V6, which was launched in 1967 as a tuning model. Production began one year later in the summer. Grosvenor Motors, then the largest Ford dealer in South Africa, took over the sales. The price was 2950 Rand. The standard version was based on the Ford Cortina Mk II GT. For the units ordered by the Gunston Cigarette Company, the Ford Cortina XL was used as basis. The Ford Essex engine with 2994 cc was used as engine. This was taken from the Ford Zephyr as well as the powertrain. After the conversion and lowering the Cortina Perana V6 was 64 kg heavier than the Ford standard model. Recognition features of the Cortina Perana V6 are a black strip over the bonnet, a black front grille and black colored rims.
The second model of the manufacturer was 1968 the sports car Ford Escort Perana. Ford wanted to use the RS 1600, but the Cosworth BDA engine proved too complex for South Africa. So Basil Green made new plans and fitted the four cylinder engine of the Ford Pinto.