Ford Consul 225

Launched in September 1962, the Mk I Ford Cortina’s controversial “ban the bomb” taillight clusters are among the most easily recognisable design element on any mass-produced car.

Originally named the Ford Consul 225, it eventually launched as the Consul Cortina until a modest facelift in 1964, after which it was sold simply as the Cortina.

Attached to American-style rear wings, the distinctive circular rear lights were split into thirds by chrome strips, which received special attention from both Mercedes-Benz and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, who both threatened legal action.

A design classic, the stylish light clusters were appropriated for everything from beach buggies to Le Mans racers, while Britain’s cottage industry of small-scale marques such as TVR and Lola incorporated them in to the design of some of their cars, too.

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