Vehicle Description
Chassis No. BA74FL59076
In 1963, Ford of Britain, seeking to elevate its racing pedigree,
partnered with the inimitable Colin Chapman of Lotus to create a
Group 2 contender based on the Cortina sedan. Chapman's engineering
brilliance transformed the pedestrian Cortina with a significantly
modified suspension, wider wheels, and weight reduction through the
extensive use of aluminum. The centerpiece of the Lotus Cortina was
the renowned Lotus Twin Cam engine. This powerplant, designed by
Harry Mundy and refined with help from Cosworth Engineering, was
based on Ford's robust 1.5-liter Kent block and featured a
twin-overhead camshaft cylinder head that dramatically increased
output from 78 to 105 horsepower. The engine's versatility and
performance would see it adopted in various other applications,
from the nimble Lotus Elan to Formula 2 racers.
The Lotus Cortina's success in motorsport was immediate and
profound, clinching championships with legendary drivers like Jim
Clark and Graham Hill at the wheel. Its distinctive white and green
livery became an iconic sight on racetracks, often seen outpacing
significantly more powerful rivals such as 3.8-liter Jaguars. By
the end of Mk1 production run in 1966, approximately 2,894 Lotus
Cortinas had been built, cementing its status as one of the most
successful and beloved high-performance cars to wear the Blue
Oval.
This late-production Mk1, recognized as genuine by the Mk1 Cortina
Owner's Club, is understood to have been cherished by a San
Francisco-based collector for nearly three decades from the 1980s
until 2017. Presenting in its correct Ermine White livery with the
iconic Sherwood Green body band, this Lotus Cortina retains much of
its original trim, complemented by period-style 13 inch Minilite
wheels. The cabin showcases a wonderfully preserved interior,
featuring correct details such as the wood-rimmed steering wheel,
English Ford Line seat belts, and star-embossed headliner. The
engine bay houses what is believed to be its original 1.6-liter
twin-cam engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The
78,992 miles indicated on the odometer are also believed to be
genuine based on an extensive service history of regular
maintenance.
As one of the 2,894 Lotus Cortinas produced, this 1966 example is
undoubtedly one of the best preserved and thoughtfully maintained
examples of Ford and Lotus's legendary collaboration.
