Mark Osborne
Global Director of Motorsport
LOT 20
1965 Ford-Lotus Cortina Chassis no. 424440
Estimate: US$50,000 - US$70,000Lot to be sold without reserve
Lot 20
1965 Ford-Lotus Cortina
1965 Ford-Lotus Cortina
Chassis no. 424440
Chassis no. 424440
1558cc Lotus Twin Cam Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Twin Overhead Camshafts
Dual Carburetors
Close-Ratio 4-Speed Manual Transmission
Revised Lotus Competition Suspension
Front Disc and Rear Drum Brakes
* A genuine left-hand-drive Mk1 Lotus Cortina prepared for historic racing
* Winner of the 1999 Dutch Historic Saloon Championship
* Entrant in Goodwood Revival, Silverstone Classic, Spa, and Dijon
* Presented in iconic Alan Mann Racing livery
* Eligible for premier international historic racing events, including Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
* Accompanied by current Historic Technical Passport and logbook
THE CAR OFFERED
This example, chassis 424440, is an authentic first-generation Lotus Cortina, now often referred to as a Mk1—an increasingly important distinction in today's market given the number of standard Cortinas subsequently converted to Lotus specification. Built in November 1965 as a left-hand-drive European-market car, this example retains its desirable original factory configuration and benefits from eligibility at many of the world's most prestigious historic racing events.
Finished when new in the iconic Ermine White with Sherwood Green flash and trimmed with blue vinyl upholstery, chassis 424440 represents the final and most developed iteration of the Mk1 Lotus Cortina. It incorporates the desirable features introduced for 1964 and 1965 production, including the full-width front grille, and distinctive "Aeroflow" rear quarter-panel ventilation outlets designed to improve cabin airflow.
Though believed to have spent its early life as a road car in The Netherlands, this Cortina entered a new and highly successful chapter during the late 1990s when it was professionally prepared for historic competition. During this transformation, the car was refinished in the celebrated red and gold livery of Alan Mann Racing, Ford's legendary works-supported touring car team whose Lotus Cortinas achieved immense success throughout the European Touring Car Championship during the mid-1960s.
Chassis 424440 would go on to establish an impressive competition record in historic racing circles. In 1999, the car won the Dutch Historic Saloon Championship. From 2003 through 2008, the Cortina remained an active and familiar presence in the prestigious Masters Top Hat series, contesting 21 race weekends across Europe and its race history reads as a veritable catalogue of Europe's premier historic racing events. The car competed at the Goodwood Revival and Silverstone Classic in England during 2005, as well as winning at Mallory Park that same year. It appeared at the Grand Prix de l'Age d'Or at Dijon in 2006, and contested the famed Six Hours of Spa in Belgium in 2007. Historic racer Simon Garrod placed the Cortina on pole position at Chimay, Belgium, also in 2007.
Such appearances underscore the car's competitiveness and its influence on historic motorsport. Indeed, the car is pictured in the official Goodwood anniversary publication Goodwood Revival: The First Ten Years by Doug Nye, which is included in this sale along with European race results documentation, further reinforcing its participation in one of the world's most exclusive historic racing events.
In late 2009, the Cortina was acquired by enthusiasts Mitch and Kim McCullough and subsequently imported to the United States. Under their stewardship, the car continued its active competition life at many of America's premier vintage motorsport gatherings, including the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca, the Coronado Speed Festival, and the Thompson Vintage Motorsport Festival.
Importantly, the car is accompanied by current racing documentation, including a valid Historic Technical Passport and current logbook, making it immediately eligible for continued participation in premier historic events. Few historic touring cars combine such broad eligibility, proven competitiveness, and straightforward usability quite so effectively as this Lotus Cortina.
Most recently, a great deal of work has been completed on this Cortina to ensure it is not merely track-worthy but ready for a season of vintage competition. Extensive maintenance and race preparation work undertaken in May-June 2026 includes struts, tie-rod ends, universal joints, ball joints, brake calipers, and clutch master. Six spare wheels also accompany the sale.
Compact, lightweight, agile, and immensely charismatic, the Lotus Cortina distilled Colin Chapman's philosophy of 'performance through lightness' into a practical touring car platform with devastating effect and authentic Mk1 Lotus Cortinas with established historic competition pedigree have become increasingly sought after in recent years. This example is especially noteworthy as an original left-hand-drive European model with extensive event eligibility. Combining genuine Lotus provenance, successful period-style racing history, excellent preparation, and continued access to many of the world's foremost historic racing events, chassis 424440 presents an exceptionally compelling opportunity.
Equally at home circulating Laguna Seca, Goodwood, Spa, or simply admired in a significant collection of competition automobiles, this beautifully prepared Lotus Cortina embodies the very essence of 1960s touring car racing: light, fast, entertaining, and unmistakably charismatic.
Footnotes
Sold on a Bill of Sale
Saleroom notices
Vehicle Not as Described.
Additional information
Specialist section
Auction Viewings
- 11 August 2026, 09:00 - 17:30 PDT
- 12 August 2026, 09:00 - 17:30 PDT
- 13 August 2026, 08:30 - 10:00 PDT
