- Withdrawn
Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Chassis No: T.B.A.
Mot Expiry: N/A
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle is withdrawn from the 13th April 2011 auction.
Ford were looking to race the MkI Cortina in the Group 2 category, for which 1,000 `homologation specials' would be required. The obvious powerplant was the twin-cam version of the ubiquitous Ford `Kent' engine that Lotus genius Colin Chapman had already developed for use in the Elan. A deal was struck and the Lotus Cortina was born in 1963. The car was based on the two-door Cortina. In addition to the 105bhp 1558cc twin-cam engine, the changes included: a close-ratio gearbox, shorter front suspension struts, and trailing arms and coil springs with `A' bracket at the rear. Wider 5.5J steel wheels were added and lightweight aluminium panels were used for the doors, bonnet and boot (though, these later became optional). The cars also received front quarter bumpers, Lotus badges on the rear wings and right side of the radiator grill. Interior amendments included: a new centre-console to house the remote control gear lever, different seats and fascia, and a wood-rim steering wheel. The MKI model was made until 1966 and all factory cars were finished in white with green side stripes.
The MKI Cortina offered started life as a 1964 base model. Then, four years ago, it was restored and prepared to FIA Appendix K specification for historic racing. Liveried in the classic Red/Gold colours of the Alan Mann team cars, it features a 1597cc Lotus Twin-Cam engine; Salisbury Power-Lok differential; alloy doors, bonnet and bootlid; plumbed-in Lifeline extinguisher system and TMME wiring loom. Developed into a class winner over two seasons in Europe in the hands of Ian Bankhurst and Roger Wills, it has been the subject of a five-page feature in Retro Ford magazine. This feisty Ford comes complete with current HTP papers and is reputedly eligible for a range of series including masters, U2TC, HSCC, CSCC etc.