1966 Ford Cortina to Lotus Mk I FIA Appendix K

Starting life on the 23rd June 1966 as a Ford Cortina De Luxe, this car was bought by our gentleman racer vendor, Eifion Jones in 2013. In common with many racing Cortinas, the donor car was converted to full Appendix K Lotus Cortina specification, from a standard Cortina base car with no expense spared. The engine was built by Competition Engine Services to FIA Appendix K spec and runs on 45 DCOE Weber carburettors, producing a very healthy 183 bhp, as confirmed in a copy of the dyno sheet in the history file. The lightweight shell was acid-dipped at the start of the process, and all the brackets to convert to 'A' frame were fitted, which means it can be easily converted to 'A' frame and coil springs if required.

The shell was seam stitched and the T45 safety cage was welded in. The doors, bonnet and boot lid are alloy, keeping the weight down to, what our vendor informs us, is a very competitive 756 kilograms. A competition clutch was mated to a Quaife close ratio straight cut gearbox, alloy bellhousing, tail shaft and remote gearchange housing. The back axle was modified for negative camber and fitted with an alloy differential housing, containing a 4:7-1 differential and LSD. Specially made aircraft-quality steel half shafts were added, the front struts were modified for negative camber and fitted with adjustable Ohlins shocks, and the rear leaf springs were mated to adjustable Ohlins shocks. The one-inch anti-roll bar was fitted with increased castor mountings and the brakes fitted with competition pads and linings, bias pedal box and adjustable rear brakes.

Our vendor has a lifetime's experience of racing, from auto grass to motorbikes, but it was Eifion's friend and neighbour, former Formula 3000 racing driver, Tim Davies who convinced Eifion to buy a Ford Cortina and prepare it for circuit racing. With this car, Eifion went on to win the CTCRC Class Championship two years on the trot, in 2014 and 2015. At the tender age of 68, Eifion has decided to retire from competition circuit racing and this incredibly "well sorted" race car, is offered with full FIA Appendix K paperwork, dated 21st April 2015 and valid to 2025. The car is supplied with a Swansea V5, dyno sheets, FIA Historic Technical Passport, a spare 4:9-1 differential with fresh LSD and a set of four magnesium wheels. With a total racing time of some 8 hours, this car is ready for the track and eligible for a whole host of race classes.