Highlights

One of the very last Mk1s built in final month of production
Older restoration to very high standard and still in great order
Previously enthusiast keeper for 15 years
Nearly £6,000 of fettling by LotuSport in 2025
Work included servicing, carburettor overhaul and set up and wiring
Electronic ignition and alternator with original parts retained and included
Set up current keeper for improved usability and drivability
Recent voluntary MOT with no advisories for buyer transparency

The Appeal

Jaguar led the way with the 3.8L Mk2, but it was Walter Hayes and Colin Chapman who perfected the idea of the sporting saloon. Conceived to give Ford competitive track advantage, which it immediately delivered, the original Lotus Cortina also stood out on suburban driveways, its Ermine White paintwork, slashed with Sherwood Green, instantly setting it apart from its lesser Cortina family runarounds.

Built in September 1966, the final month of production, this Mk1 is among the very last to leave the works. Enthusiasts will know this makes it an ‘Aeroflow’ model with the easier-to-maintain rear suspension setup. The car presents extremely well, being largely standard save for a leather-topped dashboard, dynamo-look alternator and electronic ignition (original parts are included).

We’re told the previous keeper acquired the car in 2008 and kept it until 2024, when the vendor bought it. It was restored around 20 years ago to a high standard, so the car remains in very good order. The current keeper has focused on making the car as usable and drivable as possible. He has entrusted it to specialist LotuSport, where close to £6,000 was invested during 2025. That work covered carburettor set-up and tuning, wiring work, fitting seatbelts, servicing, fluid top-up, new brake callipers and copper piping, and replacement speedo cable. The photos show the full list of work.

Accompanied by a history file containing old MOTs and service bills, and dry-stored throughout the current ownership, this Lotus Cortina represents an appealing opportunity to acquire one of the 1960s' most revered sporting saloons.

The vendor says:

“Service history is in the pictures. The car runs and drives very well and needs for nothing. The car drives very well for a Lotus and is like a racing car to drive and is a great thrill.”

Key Information

Mileage: 31,468 miles indicated
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: MOT exempt, last MOT ran to June 2026 with no advisories
Technical specs: 1,558cc twin-cam four-cylinder petrol, 4spd manual gearbox
Paperwork: History file containing old MOTs and bills; original dynamo and related parts supplied, old tax disc, V5C, handbook

Recent maintenance by LotuSport:

09/25 - £503 - brake calipers and copper pipes, brake fluid
08/25 - £1,804 - carburettor work, brake checks, servicing at 31,458 miles
08/25 - £1,115 - wiring, speedo cable, timing
08/25 - £1,497 - wiring, seatbelts, refurbish carburettors, top up fluids
07/25 - £920 - carburettor work, wiring, coil, compression test

The Detail

VIN number confirms car as a genuine Aeroflow built in final month of production
Older restoration to a high standard in factory correct Ermine White and Sherwood Green
Car shows very few signs of use or wear since restoration completed
Bodywork in good order with flush panel fit and finish
Bright chrome which is factory correct with quarter bumper corners as shown
Correct deep dish steel wheels with chrome hub caps and matching spare
Rims fitted with quality Avon tyres
Very well kept black interior with smart door cards, carpets, seats and switchgear
Largely standard interior with leather dash top
Features wood-rimmed three spoke wheel and period radio
Alternator disguised to resemble the original dynamo for period-correct appearance
Vendor states the interior is in very good condition with everything working
No advisories on last voluntary MOT in June 2025
Long list of 2025 specialist work summarised above and detailed in photos

BEFORE YOU BUY

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