Catherine Tejada
Sale Coordinator
LOT 10 ▲
1966 Ford "Lotus" Cortina MK I Recreation Chassis no. BA74FM59709 Engine no. S29773 (see text)
Sold for US$33,600 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 10▲
1966 Ford "Lotus" Cortina MK I Recreation
1966 Ford "Lotus" Cortina MK I Recreation
Chassis no. BA74FM59709
Engine no. S29773 (see text)
Chassis no. BA74FM59709
Engine no. S29773 (see text)
1,558cc DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Mechanical Fuel Injection
Approximately 120bhp at 5,500rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Independent Suspension – Rear Leaf Springs
Front Disc Brakes – Rear Drum Brakes
*A nicely finished Ford Cotina up-rated to Lotus-spec
*Icon of the Swinging Sixties
*Striking Alan Mann Racing colors
*Comprehensively restored
THE FORD LOTUS CORTINA
Ford of England produced an amazing 2.6 million Cortinas between 1962 and 1982; nearly all of them for the home market, and Cortinas became Britain's best-selling automobile between 1972 and 1981. None of those little Fords, however, may be more famous than then one that dove down the Olympic bobsled run at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, in 1963, with racing star Jimmy Clark at the wheel. That publicity stunt certainly put the Ford Lotus Cortina, to use its correct name, on the map.
This little pocket rocket came about when Lotus founder Colin Chapman began looking about for an engine to replace the venerable but expensive SOHC Coventry Climax. The solution was provided by Climax designer Harry Mundy, who came up with a neat little twin-cam head for the Ford Kent 1.5-liter four-cylinder motor. Enlarged to 1.6-Liters for the Lotus Elan, the motor so impressed Ford executive Walter Hayes that he asked Chapman if he could outfit 1000 small two-door Ford saloons with the new engine in order to homologate the model for Group 2 racing. With the addition of lightweight body panels and lighter transmission and differential cases, close-ratio gearing, Girling front disc brakes, an extensively modified suspension, the Lotus Cortina was soon dominating Group 2 competition. Soon, the Lotus Cortina was available virtually world-wide.
THE CAR OFFERED
This left-hand-drive Ford Cortina is a very nicely finished and high-quality recreation of the legendary Lotus Cortina. Understood to have been restored to its current iteration in 2006, it was finished in the legendary red and gold livery of Alan Mann racing. When stripped for paint, the body was determined to be very solid, with no obvious evidence of accident damage. The original bumpers were re-chromed, while other brightwork was left original. Weather-stripping was replaced, and rally stop-watches and Carello driving lights were installed for a sporting period appearance. Inside, the seats and headliner were restored to original specification, as were instruments, carpeting, and the heater. Many mechanical aspects of the car have been carefully recreated, including the engine, a proper Lotus L-type block. It is fitted with forged pistons, and additionally features fuel injection in place of the original carburetors, although carburetors accompany the sale of the car. The correct transmission was also rebuilt with all new bearings and seals. Suspension, rear axle, braking and steering systems were refurbished.
In 2015 and 2016, much service and maintenance work was performed by Bonsall, California based Racing Industry Specialists. Records for the work completed in the care of the penultimate and antepenultimate owner no longer accompany the car. Included with the vehicle are a number of spares including an extra set of wheels and tires, a the aforementioned pair of Weber 40DCOE 18 carburetors, reproduction owner's handbook, and more. Unquestionably one of Britain's icons of the Swinging Sixties, the Lotus Cortina remains a saloon car racing legend and a memorable 'giant killer' capable of far more than its modest looks would suggest.
Footnotes
Please note, the roundels pictured on the car are no longer with the vehicle.
Additional information
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