UK Top 10 Models : 1970-74

The best Cortina (IMO), the Mk III. It was hugely popular in NZ too

Imports were increasing their presence but still all the Top 10 models were either UK (green) or US (blue) owned. From 1963 to 1971, the 1100/1300 range had been the best seller (except for 1967). In 1972 that run came to an end. In fact that was the last year that a UK model was number one. From that year to 2015, a Ford has always been top, quite a record.

Ford had now secured the two top spots and would do so until 1984. The Morris Marina arrived as a Cortina rival and reached second place in 1973 but was unable to do better than that. A much maligned car, it was in a fact a competent, practical car. Our family owned an Australian made Leyland Marina, with a 2.6L six cylinder engine. The boot was huge, the seats very comfortable (better than the UK ones) and it was a much liked car by our family.

The Hillman Hunter had been a Top 10 regular for several years but just missed out in 1974 with 33,000 sales. It ended up being made in Iran and it did its job well there. By brother had one and an underrated car again. It and the Avenger replaced the Minx and both did better in sales. Again as personally owning one of the last NZ assembled Avenger cars (GLS Alpine) I can say it was a very practical vehicle. My mother commented they were the most comfortable rear seats she had ever sat in (again better than the UK model).

Yes, we also owned an Austin Maxi and we must be easily pleased (if critics are to be believed) as that served us very well too. A new arrival in 1974 was the Austin Allegro to replace the 1100/1300, big shoes to fill. A close friend had one and it nearly became my first car. I offered to buy it off him when he planned to move overseas, but that didn't eventuate.

Vauxhall weren't doing well at the time, the Viva the only car in the Top 10 in 1974. My wife owned one when we met and married and I have to say it didn't impress me. I think the brand had lost its way at the time.

The share of sales the Top 10 achieved fell from 65 to 55% in five short years, revealing a trend that would continue down to 2015. 1970 was the last time the Top 10 was over 60% of total market share.

Model	1974	1973	1972	1971	1970
Ford Cortina	131,234	181,607	187,159	102,214	123,025
Ford Escort	91,699	114,296	140,837	89,143	95,782
Austin/Morris Mini	89,686	96,383	96,314	103,180	80,740
Morris Marina	81,444	115,041	104,968	41,164
Vauxhall Viva	71,889	97,893	99,393	92,994	76,838
Austin Allegro	60,619
Hillman Avenger	60,244	78,644	78,729	63,476	50,133
Triumph Toll / 1500	39,798
Ford Capri	37,569		42,437		38,340
Austin Maxi	36,072	52,853	53,984	42,867
Off / Mor 11/1300		59,198	102,449	133,527	132,965
Hillman Hunter		55,934	55,600	48,800	43,111
Ford Granada		40,125
Austin 1800				39,163	32,927
Vauxhall Victor					27,930
Top 10	700,254	891,974	961,870	756,528	701,791
% of Total	55.2	53.7	58.7	58.8	65.2
Total	1,268,767	1,661,639	1,637,866	1,285,661	1,076,865

Data source: SMMT.

Other years in the series:
65-69, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99, 00-04, 05-09, 10-14.