24th Apr, 2014 15:10
Imperial War Museum Duxford
1963 Ford Lotus Cortina
Estimated at £50,000 - £60,000
Lot details
Registration No: 702 RPJ
Chassis No: Z74C065837
Mot Expiry: June 2014
Heralded on the front cover of Classic Ford magazine's October 2008 issue as: `Lotus Obsession! The UK's best Lotus Cortina: It's the rebuild of the year!' this is no ordinary pre-Airflow MKI. A notably early July 1963 model, `702 RPJ' had become a dilapidated ex-racer by the time MKI Cortina aficionado Mark Lloyd acquired it a decade or so ago. Entrusted to Trickett Welding of Holton Heath a couple of years later, the bodyshell underwent an extensive refurbishment including the fitting of NOS curved-top sills, new front wings (with rolled arches) and replacement alloy bonnet/boot/doors. The suspension was returned to correct McPherson strut front/A-frame rear specification by AV Preparations (albeit with the addition of some strengthening webbing inside its alloy differential casing and Leda adjustable coil-overs), while the same firm overhauled/upgraded the Lotus twin-cam engine with a steel crankshaft, gas-flowed cylinder head and high-lift camshafts etc. Slightly later (Airflow-type) P16 callipers were chosen to give the front discs more bite. Tasked with reinstating the Lotus Cortina's iconic Ermine White/Sherwood Green livery, SL Designs even sourced the correct shade of blue for its cam covers. The interior boasts a correct tray-less centre console, dashtop ashtray (the 15th one Mark Lloyd tried!), original wood-rim/studded steering wheel, period Irwin seatbelts, OE rubber floor mats, genuine seats (sourced from a 1964 car) and new roof lining/parcel shelf/sun visors/door cards courtesy of Aldridge Trimming. Used and enjoyed since entering the current ownership four years ago, the sports saloon remains highly presentable. Waxoyled on an annual basis, its engine has been refreshed to circa 140bhp by JB Racing and a 2000E gearbox added for increased drivability. From Consul bonnet badge to pointed rear light bezels, `702 RPJ' is still an object lesson in how a pre-Airflow Lotus Cortina should be restored. Offered for sale with sundry paperwork, current MOT/tax disc, Classic Ford magazine and correct alloy-cased gearbox.
PLEASE NOTE: The vendor informs us that this lot's bodyshell was restored using three new old stock wings and sections from a Cortina GT bodyshell. Indeed, the accompanying Classic Ford magazine article on '702 RPJ' notes that even its rear parcel shelf needed welding repairs.
Registration No: 702 RPJ
Chassis No: Z74C065837
Mot Expiry: June 2014
Heralded on the front cover of Classic Ford magazine's October 2008 issue as: `Lotus Obsession! The UK's best Lotus Cortina: It's the rebuild of the year!' this is no ordinary pre-Airflow MKI. A notably early July 1963 model, `702 RPJ' had become a dilapidated ex-racer by the time MKI Cortina aficionado Mark Lloyd acquired it a decade or so ago. Entrusted to Trickett Welding of Holton Heath a couple of years later, the bodyshell underwent an extensive refurbishment including the fitting of NOS curved-top sills, new front wings (with rolled arches) and replacement alloy bonnet/boot/doors. The suspension was returned to correct McPherson strut front/A-frame rear specification by AV Preparations (albeit with the addition of some strengthening webbing inside its alloy differential casing and Leda adjustable coil-overs), while the same firm overhauled/upgraded the Lotus twin-cam engine with a steel crankshaft, gas-flowed cylinder head and high-lift camshafts etc. Slightly later (Airflow-type) P16 callipers were chosen to give the front discs more bite. Tasked with reinstating the Lotus Cortina's iconic Ermine White/Sherwood Green livery, SL Designs even sourced the correct shade of blue for its cam covers. The interior boasts a correct tray-less centre console, dashtop ashtray (the 15th one Mark Lloyd tried!), original wood-rim/studded steering wheel, period Irwin seatbelts, OE rubber floor mats, genuine seats (sourced from a 1964 car) and new roof lining/parcel shelf/sun visors/door cards courtesy of Aldridge Trimming. Used and enjoyed since entering the current ownership four years ago, the sports saloon remains highly presentable. Waxoyled on an annual basis, its engine has been refreshed to circa 140bhp by JB Racing and a 2000E gearbox added for increased drivability. From Consul bonnet badge to pointed rear light bezels, `702 RPJ' is still an object lesson in how a pre-Airflow Lotus Cortina should be restored. Offered for sale with sundry paperwork, current MOT/tax disc, Classic Ford magazine and correct alloy-cased gearbox.
PLEASE NOTE: The vendor informs us that this lot's bodyshell was restored using three new old stock wings and sections from a Cortina GT bodyshell. Indeed, the accompanying Classic Ford magazine article on '702 RPJ' notes that even its rear parcel shelf needed welding repairs.
Auction: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 24th Apr, 2014
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