It's billed as the finest remaining 1963 Ford Cortina, that's travelled an average of one mile a day in its 53 years.

This early, immaculate and very original Mark I Ford Cortina 1500 GT is being sold at Historics at Brooklands classic car auction near Weybridge in Surrey on Saturday, August 20.

Built at Dagenham, it cost £748 when new but has an estimate of £24,000 to £28,000.

Fitted with a tuned 1,498cc engine, the 1500 GT was the top specification model of the day, its zesty 78bhp sufficient to propel the four-door saloon to 95mph, with a 0-60mph acceleration time of just 14 seconds, leaving the Morris Oxford of the day some five seconds in its wake.

Since it was first registered on July 4, 1963, the fastidious care and obsessive attention paid to it by its two owners – the last acquiring the car 27 years ago – makes this 19,244 warranted mile car arguably the finest and most original Mark I Cortina remaining.

This multiple concours winner, ARE 163A, features superb Goodwood Green coachwork, and the interior is as new. Even the jacks and tools – spotless and polished – are all present and correct.