This is my story about my cars and my passion.
My name is Jayshree James — but in the classic car world, most people know me as Cortina Girl. That name isn’t just a nickname. It’s a piece of my heart.
I was born into a world of petrol fumes, spanners, and the unmistakable rumble of old-school Ford engines. Some kids grew up playing with dolls or video games — I grew up in the garage with my dad, handing him tools, wiping grease off chrome, and learning the language of carburetors and camshafts. My childhood wasn’t just surrounded by classic cars; it was built around them.
My dad was a Ford mechanic who specialized in old-school Fords. He didn’t just fix cars — he understood them. He respected them. And he passed that respect on to me and my brother. Together, the three of us built and restored many cars over the years. Each one had its own personality, its own story, and its own challenges. But one of the most unforgettable builds was the Ford Cortina Mk3 LDO Big 6.
That car was my dad’s pride and joy — his “first wife,” as he always joked. It was fully restored and resprayed to perfection. Under the hood sat a Ford Essex V6 motor running twin carburetors, dressed beautifully with X-Ocet valve covers. It wasn’t just powerful; it had presence. The sound of that V6 starting up was deep and commanding — a sound that still sends chills through me.
What made it even more special was the custom sound system my dad and mom built and installed themselves. I’ll never forget the night before a car show when they stayed up all night finishing the installation so the car would be perfect the next morning. That’s what our cars were about — dedication, teamwork, and love.
These cars are not just metal and paint. They are memories. They are late nights in the garage, shared laughter, scraped knuckles, and proud smiles at car shows. They carry moments that will forever live in our hearts. Every time I hear that V6 roar to life, it lights up my heart and instantly takes me back to standing next to my dad.
As much as I love the Mk3, my favorite build will always be the car my dad built for me — my Ford Cortina Mk4 3.0S. Completely restored, it holds a place in my heart that no other car ever could.
At the time, my dad wasn’t in good health. He was suffering from a heart condition. Most people would have slowed down, taken it easy — but not him. He was determined to finish my car. No matter how he felt, he was in the garage, working through pain and exhaustion. That build took countless late nights, blood, sweat, and tears. But it also gave us some of the most beautiful memories I will ever hold onto.
The day we took it for its first test drive is a moment I will never forget. Sitting behind the wheel, hearing that engine come alive, feeling the road beneath us — I was overwhelmed with happiness. Not just because the car was finished, but because we had built it together.
In 2023, my dad sadly passed away.
Losing him was the hardest thing I have ever faced. But everything he taught me — about cars, about dedication, about pride in your work — lives on in me. When I work on my Cortina, when I hear that engine start, when I polish the chrome just the way he showed me, I feel him there.
My brother and I share the same passion and love for these cars. It connects us. It keeps my dad’s spirit alive in our lives. For us, this isn’t just a hobby. It’s part of who we are. It’s in our blood.
Being featured in You’re magazine would mean more than just recognition. It would be a tribute to my dad — to the man who taught me everything and gave me a passion that shaped my life. Making him proud is what drives me every day.
And I know, somewhere, he’s smiling every time that V6 starts.
