1963 Lotus Cortina FIA Race Car

Legendary motor racer, Colin Blower, started his racing career in 1973 , beginning in production sports car racing and progressing to saloons, TVR Tuscans, British GT and Masters Historic racing. Always highly competitive, Colin has clocked up hundreds of race wins and 9 national sports car championships as well as victory in the TVR Tuscan Challenge too. His talents were perhaps epitomised when he secured pole position at Donington in the famous race where Nigel Mansell took part and was then outqualified and out raced by Colin!

This Lotus Cortina has been a race car since 1990 and was originally raced with the HSCC. Colin Blower bought this car from HSCC racer, Nick Humphries, in 1998 and promptly put the car in to storage where it was to stay until 2012!

Having sold Colin Blower Motorsport in 2012 and effectively retired, Colin then commenced a detailed and comprehensive restoration project on the car with the help of a local university student with the original intent of racing the car with his son. The shell was considered not strong enough for an FIA race car project and a new left hand drive shell from Hungary, was sourced by Brian Whitfield of Roberts Motor Bodies. This was duly converted to right hand drive and fully prepared for racing by him to include the fitment of an FIA roll cage.

The shell was prepared on a modern flat jig to ensure the frame was square and great attention was paid to panel gaps and accurate fit of the aluminium bonnet, boot and doors. The straight cut close ratio gearbox, lightweight bell housing and tail shaft were rebuilt by renowned Lotus expert, Guy Smith of Northampton and the 'A' frame rear axle and limited slip diff expertly fitted by Colin. FIA spec suspension, brakes and high ratio steering box were rebuilt and fitted along with new front and rear bumpers. FIA dampers, correct lower track control arms, straight lower ball joint/steering arms and an FIA spec roll bar were fitted and the car also benefitted from a new wiring harness, racing type lightweight battery, FIA fire system and period guages.

The engine was built by noted expert, Nick Stagg, and is fresh and unused. The car has obtained FIA HTP papers and is now road registered, freshly MOT'd and ready to test and race.

Coming to the sale with 2 sets of wheels, the car has not been driven or raced by Colin as his current state of health sadly prohibits this from happening. However, his enthusiasm, help and guidance will be offered to the prospective purchaser and Silverstone Auctions will be donating a substantial portion of its fees to Parkinson's UK on Colin's behalf.