Ford Corcel
| Ford Corcel | |
|---|---|
1974 Ford Corcel GT
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford do Brasil |
| Also called | Ford Belina |
| Production | 1968–1986 |
| Assembly |
São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil Valencia, Venezuela |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related |
Ford Del Rey Ford Pampa Renault 12 |
| Ford Corcel (first generation) | |
|---|---|
1973 Ford Corcel Luxo
|
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1968–1977 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 4-door sedan 3-door wagon |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout |
| Related | Renault 12 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1,289 cc Renault 810 OHV I4 1,372 cc 1300-B OHV I4 1,372 cc XP OHV I4 (GT) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,440 mm (96 in) |
| Length | 4,390–4,410 mm (173–174 in) |
| Width | 1,610 mm (63 in) |
| Height | 1,370–1,430 mm (54–56 in) |
| Curb weight | 920–1,005 kg (2,028–2,216 lb) |
| Ford Corcel II | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Also called | Ford Belina |
| Production | 1977–1986 |
| Assembly | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door fastback sedan 3-door wagon |
| Layout |
Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout |
| Related |
Ford Del Rey Ford Pampa Renault 12 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1372 cc 1300-B OHV I4 1555 cc CHT OHV I4 1781 cc VW AP-1800 I4 |
| Transmission | 4/5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,440 mm (96 in) |
| Length | 4,470–4,520 mm (176–178 in) |
| Width | 1,660 mm (65 in) |
| Height | 1,350–1,360 mm (53–54 in) |
| Curb weight | 862–917 kg (1,900–2,022 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Ford Del Rey |
The Ford Corcel ("stallion" in Portuguese) is a car which was sold by Ford do Brasil in Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and Venezuela. It was also assembled in Venezuela (along with the Del Rey). The French-influenced styling of the Corcel was unique to Brazil until late 1977. From this year, the redesigned Corcel II (as it was originally sold) bore a strong resemblance to the European Ford Escort and Granada of same era, but its Renault underpinnings remained the same. The Corcel was eventually replaced by the Del Rey, which was originally introduced as the sedan/coupe version of the Corcel.
The Corcel's origins lay in the Renault 12. Willys-Overland's Brazilian operations included manufacturing the Renault Dauphine as the Willys Dauphine/Gordini/1093/Teimoso. Plans were underway to replace this outmoded range with a new car based on the upcoming Renault 12, internally referred to as "Project M". When Willys do Brasil was bought by Ford do Brasil in 1967, Ford inherited the project. The Corcel was actually presented nearly two years before the Renault 12.
The first year of production of the Brazilian Ford Corcel was 1968, when it debuted as a four-door sedan at São Paulo. It was originally equipped with the 1.3 L (1,289 cc) 68 hp (51 kW) water-cooled overhead-valve "Cléon" engine picked directly from the Renault 12, albeit with a slightly lower compression ratio of 8:1 to allow it to run on 70 octane gasoline. A coupé was added in 1969 to target the second-car market, quickly becoming the fastest-selling version, followed by a three-door station wagon version called "Belina" in March 1970.
The early Corcels had severe quality issues and sales suffered accordingly, but after Ford do Brasil received a new head (Joseph W. O'Neill) in 1970 the decision was made to ameliorate the situation. In Brazil's first automotive recall, 65,000 owners were contacted and free repairs were made available; the Corcel once again became Ford's biggest selling model in 1971. In 1971 two new models appeared, with the L (for "Luxo") and the more powerful GT version added. The GT benefitted from a twin-barrel carburettor ("1300-C") and offered 80 hp (60 kW) and could reach 141 km/h (88 mph) rather than the 135 km/h (84 mph) of the regular versions. Each passing year running styling changes were made, borrowing several details from the Ford Maverick, and becoming more and more like a pony car in appearance. The GT was updated in the form of new decals every year, and eventually also got a larger, more powerful engine.
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