CORTINA v APRILIA

CORTINA v. APRILIA Sir,

In your” Annual Discourse on Topical Aspects of the Motoring Scene” I found it interesting to note a general comparison between the Ford Cortina and the 26-yeir-old Lancia Aprilia. Taking figures from your November 1962 issue for the Ford Cortina and from my July 1938 copy of The Auto= for the Lancia Aprilia, being exactly the same specification as the r937 model, we get :

Top Speed 0-50 m.p.h.

o..6o m.p.h.

Overall m.p.g. Lancia Aprilia

81.82 m.p.h.

15.3 sec.

22.8 sec. 28-32

Ford Cortina ..

79.6 m.p.h.

16.6 sec.

25.4 See. 27.2

One might also consider that the Lancia Apriha’s make-up includes independent suspension all round, inboard rear brakes, a pillarless, integral body (not dated and still an eye-catcher), turning circle 28 feet and a square, V4 engine.

Perhaps Fords will now take note and do better next time. In the meanwhile I shall keep my Lancia Aprilia stable. Sheringham. NORMAN G. WirsoN. [The Lancia Aprilia was a comparatively expensive car when sold here before the war, but still. . ..—En.] • * *