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Finding the Cortina - Radio Times, January 2006 |
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Why did the makers of Life on Mars plump for a Cortina instead of a Granada, as originally intended? Danny Scott finds out.
"The idea for hit retro drama Life on Mars came from four simple words: "70s cop. Ford Granada." But eagle-eyed car fans will have noticed that instead of a Granada (the motor of choice for Carter and Regan in archetypal 1970s cop show The Sweeney), DI Sam Tyler drives around in a Ford Cortina.
"We did look for a Granada," says producer Claire Parker, "but when we saw the Cortina, it just had this sexy, rugged character. It was like seeing the perfect actor for a part… we just had to have it."
Top Gear's James May understands exactly what Parker is talking about. "The great thing about the Mark III Cortina was that it was influenced by the sexier American cars like the Mercury Cougar or Starsky and Hutch's Gran Torino. Look at one from the side and you'll see it's got a real kink in its hips!"
The Cortina ended up on the show, but May is still a Granada fan. "It was great for cop shows. Fast and heavy - brilliant for skidding through piles of boxes at high speed!"
**
Now take a look at our full Life on Mars guide.
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