Clarkson's short emotional moment when remembering his father and the first car he loved... that was special. Best show ever.

I actually liked the moment Jeremy recalls his dad in the 1600E...genuine emotion on something that meant a lot to him back then. Nothing wrong with it

Jeremey said “I was so proud of my dad” and I don’t think you could ask for more in life than your kids to be proud of what you provide them

My dad had a MK1 Cortina, and he did all that he could to get the engine as close to the Lotus Cortina’s specs as possible. He said ,with all the upgrades and tunes it was like being a leaf in a hurricane. And the best part is, that Cortina is now mine. And he is right.

I remember asking my Dad if he had a cortina. He immediately went into his room, brought out a old photo book with pictures of his cortina and we spent hours talking about it. That isn't a car, It's a part of your soul

Dad came home in a 1600 GXL one day. I was blown away even though it wasn't brand new I still felt like royalty and my dad was king. I felt like Clarkson did and I will never forget dad taking me out for dinner and a long drive. I fell asleep before we got back home and dad carried me up to bed. I faked not feeling well to skip school the next day so i could help him wash it. I was 6yrs old and I wouldn't leave dad's side in case I missed him leaving in the most beautiful car I had ever seen.

I never thought I'd hear James May say "I suddenly became aware my body can produce semen" I just died laughing

Nobody: Jeremy Clarkson: *Another story about my father* Me: Cries

after he shared on top gearwhat happened with his dad and how he said goodbye, him remembering his dad in that car is kinda sad and happy at the same time

Seeing James behind the office desk, I thought he'd updated his look a bit.

Jeremy: “My dad had a Cortina 1600E!” James: “My dad had a Mk3 Cortina GXL!” Richard: “My dad had an Allegro Estate... 😔”

Richard thinks he has it bad, my dad had to come home to see my grandad pull up in a Lada 2107. (He still has it)

For me I like the way the last ever studio episode was a documentary on a car that started from something small and unnoticeable to something massive and world renowned. As Jeremy Richard and James started as small unnoticeable tv presenters but became massive and world renowned from top gear and the grand tour. This was an amazing piece of television and something that including the ending montage of there times in top gear and the grand tour over the course of 18 years made me tear up and applaud them. Thank you chaps 👏👏👏 Cannot wait for the Madagascar special

Brings back memories of a friend buying a 2000E. I was mildly envious.

When Clarkson talks about his dad, it just brings a smile to my face, because it shows you that they had a love that was truly special

Seeing Clarkson talk about his dad like this, and after seeing the episode of top gear where he talks about how that porsche got him to hospital on time to say goodbye it just shows how close they were.

Gawd life looked better back then (or at least in the Ford ads it did! LOL!). I remember my dad's company Cortina's, from salesman to director, L, XL, GXL, exactly like the segment suggests, and he worked hard to achieve those jobs and cars. We sat at home in the dark most of the too 3day week, power cuts etc., with linoleum flooring, no freezer, just a fridge, no central heating, a coal bunker, second hand B&W TV, second hand push bike, things were tight, but fond memories of more honest times.

What I love about this is, every time that Clarkson talks about his father he always seems to get emotional, Jeremy truely loved his father,

Those three were the best Top Gear presenters ever! Irreplaceable! A mate had a GT Cortina and would scare the hell outa me by taking corners at ridiculous speeds! Great car, great time of my life!

That was one of the best documentries ever!! I had tears droping from my face when all the Ford Fans sang in the church and the old pictures were shown. I already had buyers for my Cortina and my Sierra. Because of your show I canceled all deals and decided to hold my cars as many years as possible!!!

My grandmother had a 1972 GXL exactly like the one James had! That brings back memories! I even got to drive it when we returned to the U.K for a holiday in 1987. It was a bit more worse for wear after 15 years but was still a lot of fun to drive around the country lanes near Great Easton! I was 7 when she brought that car home and remember it well because my dad had just bought a 1972 Toyota estate car and whereas everyone had a Cortina no one had a Toyota! :)

I can remember 1971 like it was yesterday ,our hated neighbour purchased a brand new 1600 E ,dad was absolutely gutted he lost sleep for a fortnight . Not to be outdone he went out and purchased a brand new Vitesse 2 litre and knocked the said neighbours plug in .Dad loved it !. I can see his sardonic smug smile now .

Seriously I love these three. We all grew up infatuated with the awesomeness that is the trio

when jeremy said "my dad had an 1600 e" i felt that joy as well

My first car was a Mk1 Lotus Cortina, the engine noise Jeremy was getting brought back so so many memories!

I relate to this totally. My mates were just the same. I know the Allegro gets some stick now but back in the 1970's it was the kids who's Dad's brought Lada' and Scoda's that really suffered!

The moment Hamond took out the bat and hit the car, I was reminded of how fortunate I was to of grown up with Top Gear.

I live in Ireland same story here we love old fords especially the cortina my dad had a mk 4 2.0 gl, happy times 👍

The world really gotta treasure Jeremy Clarkson cause there will never be anybody that even comes close to this gentleman when it comes to whether being a motoring journalist or a car enthusiast/presenter. They tried but he has cemented his spot as the best journalist to ever come out of England.

I had a Mk3 GXL in a Copper Metallic paint, with Black Interior. Loved it, I paid £995.00, sold it for £899.00 2 years later, wish I still had it.

How to talk about the Ford Mondeo: Do an 15 min long film about the Fort Cortina...

What a magic episode had 1 MK2 Cortina and then 2 mk 1 Cortina,s,had friends with mk 3,4,5 cortinas, they were part of growing up with and driving.

Closest I got to a Cortina was driving the company's sales rep's Mark III 2000E to do an urgent delivery. This was back in 1979 and was the largest engined car I had driven at that point; it went like stink! My first wheels was a Mk I Ford Escort 1100cc panel van. My Dad impressed everyone when he arrived home in a 2nd hand 1971 Fiat 850 sport spider. Still very proud of you Dad.

Man those dials “angled towards the driver” do look good!!!

My dads last Cortina was an XR6 Interceptor when he worked for Ford South Africa. Was a beautiful car

Cortina mk3 GXL twin headlights......best looking car ever to be built by Ford UK.

There are many magic moments from Top Gear & The Grand Tour over the years, but this, by a country mile is the finest piece of motoring television i’ve ever seen. Everyone can relate & it is evocative & emotional on so many levels. I lost my Dad recently & he never had a Cortina, but I will forever treasure the car related memories of going to collect a new car with my Dad & being so proud of him & being in awe of whatever the new machine was 🥺❤️

One of the most beautiful cars ever made! Right mix of early 60s Ford and British race car brillance!!

What a great show, here in Australia I had a 1976 Cortina XL but we had the 6 cylinder version too. I had the thumping 250 cubic inch 6 cylinder, 4 speed manual and it could fly, great memories. Thank you

Ok, in 1966 my dad replaced his Anglia with a mark 1, 1500 deluxe, in Lagoon Blue Then a mark 2 1600, then a mark 3 2000 GL, my first car was a mark 2 1500, and then got a mark 3 2000 GXL, by which time my dad had bought a mark 1 Granada 3 litre

Need more of these types of documentaries from these guys...

Hammond, I feel your pain. My dad came home with a DAF 33 who's only redeeming value was it was marginally warmer in the winter driving months than the Beetle but this first implementation of the CVT was absolutely 💩

Remember my dad driving up the driveway in his Red Passat Variant GT. In ‘92 that was a real tick in my lifebox. Still brings a smile to my face.

1st car I legally owned was a 72 1.3 mk3 cortina. I was 18 in 1978 it had 185k on the clock, cost £185. 15 months of fun lol. Still remember the reg

Lol! I also had a Ford Cortina 1600 in the 80s in Norway (a second hand...God knows what model)! Excellent car!!

Watched this so many times and will again, brings backs so many early car memories thankfully all ford 😀

I remember with love, my Ford Cortina V6 2.3 Ghia car, 'T' Reg and loved it, and this show brought back many happy memories of owning it. Happy days....

I love Cortinas - thank you, I'll just sit & watch.

LOL! Had a Cortina in the early 80s....second hand...in Norway! Loved it!

Specials like this are simply the highlights of Top Gear and the Grand Tour for me. I'm not a huge fan of all the "some foreign Country" Specials...you can keep those. This here is the real deal, best motoring related contend....in the world.

This gave me goosebumps

Man the camera work the editing It's just perfect better then some movies Absolutely love this show

Cinematography is off the chart

the first fast ford...before my time but what a car

I love how everyone laughed when he said "its exciting stuff", then he delivered this.

I have been waiting to see this for years. I am from the Clarkson / May generation and every now and again I have asked other older men if they had a Cortina. My dad had one, I had one a generation later. The low and sleek look, with the large back end for the stuff that you have to carry around, which came in with the Mk 3 Cortina, is still here with the Czech-built Octavia I drive today.

That was amazingly entertaining and educational at the same time. We learnt a wonderful part of history. Bravo and thank you.

My dad didn't have one but my then (1965) girlfriend's father had a 1965 GT version. He was a carpet salesman and found the weight of the samples in the boot helped his cornering. The car was an object of pride and joy to him; Jeremy's emotion is on the money.

I had four Cortinas in succession, starting with a 3.0 1973 XLE and finishing with a MK4 XR6 Interceptor. Loved every single one of them...

Love this episode. Easily my fav, for the lads and especially for the bullseye on Ford. Plus, a great tribute to my favorite Ford of all time, Sierra Cosworth

Clarkson is so posh with his Rose style wheels, down South we called the Rostyle. Great vid guys love it

And of course, here in Australia we shoehorned in a 200 and then a 250 cubic inch straight six into the third generation Cortinas. I mean, the thing was a horsepower rocket ship. Also of course, it refused point blank to go around corners and laughed at you when you tried to use the brake pedal. But at a stoplight drag race...hooo boy!

At school we all wanted a cortina "crusader"--A mk5 which finished on the Y reg. Our teacher had one and it was bright red and looked amazing!! My late dad never did own a cortina but had one lent to him by a workmate when his austin 1100 was in the garage. Purple mk2 on a J plate. Funny how time flies! RIP George

Had a Mk2 Cortina years ago, and it was a revelation after a bloody Hillman Minx.

This reminds me of my dad moving up from a '69 Ford LTD to a '71 Mercury Marquis.... Brougham.

Yes, but in 1982 they replaced the Cortina with the Sierra, and i belive, if memory serves, was quite successful too, both on AND off road...

Such an emotional episode

That moment when Siegfried's Funeral March is used for introducing the city of Birmingham, and Austin Allegro...

Memories well done on the Ford's.

Southern California 1968. My Dad drove home in a brand new Cortina Deluxe. It replaced our Edsel Wagon, but Dad still kept his '59 Peugeot. In 1980, the Cortina became mine. It was trashed & thrashed, but it was mine. Engine cut out at the slightest hint of dampness, and the brake went away in the wet, but I didn't know enough to care.

Yup..my dad own one ..from Malaysia And I guess after 1982 the Cortina become Ford Tellstar

When they speak about cars it's all gold

I genuinely miss these guys.

LOL 😂🤣 Hammond Lost it....ha ha ha... love this...

My old man had a red F reg 1600E. It was fitted with a twin choke Weber.

An amazing car. My first car in 1968. I took it up Welsh Mountains. I took it to London. I took it to Ireland. I did all my own work on it.

Miss my 72 MK3 GT and one of the last 83 MK5 2.0L with a bit of work managed to get a 17.99 @ 77mph 1/4 max 182kph Cornering was outstanding on both

I grew up in a white 1969 Ford Cortina Deluxe four door with the 1100cc motor. Wonderful family car for the era although underpowered for such heavy chassis. My father kept it until 1980. Great memories.

Loved the MkIII GXL, That was a beautiful car. My dad never had a Cortina, but he did have more than one Escort. My older brother had a MkII 1600E though, that was metallic purple, jacked up at the back with wide multi spoke wheels, and furry dice and seat covers. He later had a MkV 2.0 Ghia, and eventually a Sierra 1.8LX after the Cortina came to the end of its life. My second car was my dads old Escort, after cutting my teeth with a Mini. Fond memories.

Great review of a truely iconic car.

Wish I never sold my cortina, thank you for the memory flash back.

Seeing old cars I go ıgggh .. seeing old cameras .. wowww

Best music choice

My dad had a savage cortina loved it ,if he had an allegro I would have called childline!!

Love the Thomas Berensen soundtrack.

My dad said that when he was in high school in New South Wales, ( AU ) around early 1980's, even his teacher had a Mk 3 Cortina and he loved the long bonnet on the front of it.

hammond reminds me the day my dad came back in a lada. but wow that allegro 🤣🤣

I worked at Ford Research & Engineering (later called Product Development ) Centre at Dunton Essex right from leaving the Ford Apprentice Training School at Harold Hill in 1969, and retired many years later in 2004. Employees got anything up to 20 plus percent off new vehicles, so we all drove new Fords, and struggled to find our own car in the sea of identical vehicles at the end of the shift. To me, the MK1 Cortina was the best driving experience and produced the best memories. Mine was a GT model, but it had the 1600 crossflow engine. It still had a single downdraft Weber, but it had some cylinder head work, and had reasonable performance for its day. It stayed flat round corners, and I just plain loved that car. My brother had it after me, and he loved it as much as I did. I always thought the MKII and MKIII Cortinas a bit wet. Especially the MKIII with its rubber mounted subframes front and rear. We had a line stopping event with the MKIII after it was discovered that it was possible for the front subframe to move all the forward, and the rear all the way back, and the prop-shaft could fall out of the gearbox! The fix was easy and obvious (in hindsight). we used voided bushes which were solid longitudinally, but open vertically, so they could flex up and down, but not forwards and backwards. I live in New Zealand now, and drive Japanese cars, but I still have happy memories.

We all went thru the badge snobbery thing haha LOL this ia a truly hysterically brilliant episode

My mates dad has Mk1 lotus cortina which they’ve had from new in the family and it was sold once and bought back 6 weeks later, after that; it got stolen and amazing was found in tact with no damage. How lucky is that! They still have it 😊

Beautiful Ford. ❤️

Owned a Mk I, 1300 (No chrome stripe), then a Mk III, 2000 GXL, an absolutely beautiful car., along with its extravagant trim, twin headlights and vinyl roof.

My dad had a mk4 Ford Taunus/Cortina, such a wonderful car

Glamorous Cortina". Not two words I thought I would ever hear together.

This brought a tear for my old girl A full house, fully modified, opening quarter light windowed little beast! I learned a lot from that wee car and still to this day, is one of the best cars I ever owned. Man the fun I had with her was off the scale and I wish I still had her now. I'm 63 and would buy one tomorrow, trouble is, I can't afford one now. I payed $1500 for her in 1976, now you might need $15000 for a good one and are as rear as chicken lips!

My first car was rusted hand painted 65 mk1 2 door. Loved that car. Broke down at least once a month. Brother in law helped me rebuild the motor and he put 3 sets of rings in upside down. Still ran but the exhaust was coming out the breather tube for the crankcase. Mum had a TE I had a TE, always wanted a TF with the 4.1. Those things hammered. Awesome cars. Just the TE was probably the worst around corners. and the 2L wasn't that powerful but it was a cortina so that made it ok

Man that GXL looks really good in green

Fords arent just cars they have souls! Greatest episode ever

My second car was a 2 litre 1975 Mk3 Cortina TC XL. I bought it around 1987 and sold it in '89 to buy a 1975 VW Kombi. Now, in 2020, I'm still driving a Subaru Impreza WRX (MY99) which I bought new in 1998.

This was very touching