1965 Ford Lotus Cortina (FIA)

The Lotus Cortina's serendipitous arrival resulted directly from Ford's decision to step up their motorsport involvement in the early 1960s. Their Head of UK Public Relations, Walter Hayes, spoke to Colin Chapman, asking him to come up with a competitive saloon, using their mainstream Cortina as a base that could be produced in sufficient numbers to satisfy the mandatory 'Group 2' homologation requirements, and with which the Blue Oval could beat all-comers. The solution was to take Ford's bullet-proof 1,500 Kent engine, fit it with a twin-cam cylinder head, pop it into a stiffened Cortina shell, sort out the suspension and brakes and paint a green stripe down the side. The cars would be built by Lotus at its plant in Cheshunt and marketed through their dealer network as the Ford Cortina Lotus. Once fully developed, Lotus Cortinas (as they quickly became known) absolutely shone on track driven by household names including Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Jackie Ickx, Roger Clark and many, many more.

On offer here is a well-known car that should be very competitive in the right hands. Originally built from an Australian shell, it was bought by its current owner in 2015 and he has subsequently enjoyed more than 50 races in various series including the Masters Pre-66 Touring Cars, HRDC Jack Sears and HSCC Touring Cars. The Cortina's results in 2022 have been impressive in the hands of our capable vendor with a 3rd overall in the Masters Series at Donington (and first Cortina), 3rd Cortina at Brands Hatch Masters, 4th overall at Oulton Park and third overall in HRDC Oulton Park. During this season it has been prepared and run by the well-respected, Dorset-based, TT Motors who know and understand how to get the best out these cars. It has current FIA/HTP papers valid until 31st December 2024. 

Offering great value for money at this estimate, in our opinion, when you consider its desirable John Smurthwaite/JS Motorsport power unit, the hours of development and setting-up invested over the years and the array of exciting options this car offers for its next owner to go and enjoy some of the best historic motorsport on the European scene.