Highlights

Converted to FIA-spec by TWJ Motorsport at a cost of over £41,000
Fully prepared for the 2021 racing season by John Smirthwaite Motorsport
Engine freshly rebuilt by Oselli, four-speed close ratio, short cut gearbox by JS Motorsport and LSD rebuilt by Hardy Engineering
Aluminium bonnet, boot, doors
Extensive history file with race wins and FIA papers
Recent suspension and brake renewal, unused since
Welded-in roll cage, new belts and fire system - all in date and ready to race

The Appeal

The Ford Lotus Cortina shows what can be achieved when two great carmakers pool their resources and exploit each other's strengths.

Lotus desperately wanted a lightweight twin-cam engine, and it knew how to build one with skilled engineers Harry Mundy and Cosworth's Keith Duckworth on-side. Ford's strong Kent engine was chosen and so a deal was struck between Ford's Walter Hayes and Lotus' Colin Chapman in which it was agreed Ford would provide these engines for conversion in return for being able to use them in its Cortina saloon for Group 2 competition.

Thus, the Ford Lotus Cortina was born.

Ford sent two-door Cortina body shells to Lotus, who duly fitted the new twin-cam engines, a close-ratio gearbox from the Elan, added lightweight aluminium panels and redesigned the rear suspension. The resulting car was devastatingly quick and one of the best-handling saloons of its day. Lotus Cortinas are still a mainstay of historic motorsport, including this fine 1966 example which has numerous race wins to its name.

It was professionally converted to an FIA-specification race car by TWJ Motorsport in the winter of 2008-09 at a cost of over £41,000, and the large file of bills shows additional spend during five seasons totalling over £59,000 on refining the chassis and improving the engine and transmission to make it one of the quickest cars on the European circuits.

In recent years, the engine has just been rebuilt by Oselli, and the front and rear adjustable suspension has just been renewed along with the brakes. The car has not been raced since.

Complete with a substantial history file and retaining road registration, this storied and well-sorted Ford Lotus Cortina is ready to bring joy to a new custodian.

The History and Paperwork

UK-registered on 08/02/1966
Four former registered keepers; current owner since 2014
Converted to FIA-spec by TWJ Motorsport in 2008-09
Over £59,000 spent on maintenance and preparation over five seasons
Original Lotus Cortina registered feb 1966 and still retains the original 'folding style log book & current V5c
V5C and FIA Historic Technical Passport issued in August 2020
Large history file which includes race wins, work completed over the years and the FIA papers
FIA papers renewed and now valid until 2030
UK road registered ('UTB 251D')
Exempt from road tax and MOT
Lots of history going back many tears and more recent times include 2022 Silverstone classic, Equipe & CSCC

The Condition

Aluminium bonnet, boot, and doors
Welded-in cage with new belts and fire system - all in-date
Superbly prepared inside and out
Classically finished in two-tone Old English White/British Racing Green
Presents very well overall, with light signs of wear commensurate with historic competition such as some chips to the front end
De-bumpered to save weight
Some marks to the alloy wheels as befits a racing car
Smart and sound-looking underside

The Mechanics

1.6-litre Lotus twin-cam recently rebuilt by Oselli
Four-speed straight cut, close ratio gearbox rebuilt by JS Motorsport
Rebuilt to FIA spec by TWJ Motorsport and supported many years by Tony Thompson racing
Limited slip differential rebuilt by Hardy Engineering
Front and rear adjustable suspension renewed
New brakes installed
Yet to be raced following recent work to the brakes and suspension
Reportedly in very good running and driving order
All presents superbly under the bonnet

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