Description
After owning many classic cars over the years I wanted something practical that turns heads and have 4 people travel in safety including children. This rules out low back seats and lap belts or no belts. This Cortina does all this and more. Finished in 2016 and having only covered less than 1000 miles since it's really just run in.
SHELL.
The 2 door shell was completely stripped and needled filed back to the bare metal, welded where required with new sills, jacking points and wheel arches. The bonnet, boot lid, front valance, doors, fuel tank and wings were shot blasted then etch primed. It had a sunroof which I didn't want so a solid roof was fitted. All body rust treated, Zinc primed and stone chipped inc the engine bay. Pre fitting of the 4 high back seats and a modification to the rear floor to allow the seat mounts. Pre-fit all the harness belts with plates welded with the nuts to allow easy install after paint. Welded a battery tray in the boot while repairing the lower area. Rear strut brace made. After fitting the pannels painted several layers of paint inside and underneath. Ermine white and the exact green colour stripe was done in a base coat then lacquered over all. The Team Lotus yellow pin put on after which really sets the car off. While the glass was out it had a proffessional tint done in a very light shade this really looks good against the white and is quite subtle. The front grille has been modified with 5" cut outs to flush fit Wipac spotlights which I haven't seen before and looks really neat.
SUSPENSION.
The steering, suspension and brakes are from a Cortina 1600E and were shot blasted, etch prime and painted. New track rod ends inner and outer, new rear shox, bushes and springs were fitted. Front calipers were reconditioned. New discs, drums, shoes, cables, cylinders, clutch and brake master cylinders, hoses and pipes were fitted. It's a standard axel which was also blasted stripped cleaned with new gaskets and seals
ENGINE.
1600cc xflow Kent ohv 711M block. Full rebuild. Lightened and balanced, bored plus 20 high compression pistons with stage 2 cam, big valve head many new parts including clutch. Twin choke webber carb. Electronic ignition with sports coil. Alternator conversion. New engine mounts. Strut brace. Battery is in the boot with an isolater switch. The engine runs smooth and starts first time hot or cold. Can be driven in heavy traffic and never overheats. The engine was built more for reliability rather than performance.
EXHAUST
4 branch manifold is off a 1600e was sandblasted and painted. A 3" custom made sainless steel exhaust made with one back box, a really nice job and well worth the £500. It sounds excellent not too loud but a nice deep rasp.
GEARBOX
It is a standard 4 speed has been checked and cleaned very nice smooth gear change.
INTERIOR.
High back seats front which recline and fold forwards to allow rear passengers access. The rear seats are the same found in a caterham and will fit from a 4 year old child to a 6ft tall adult. New 4 point harness front and rear provide a safe journey for all. Carpets made from a roll of acoustic carpet and new tailored carpet mats fitted. The dash is out a 1600E with the all working 4 guages. The rev counter has been re-calibrated to allow for the electronic ignition. The speedo reads a higher speed due to the tyre size which I quite like. The wooden dash was sanded and painted black. The door cards and center console were restored. Radio/ CD player with updated speakers.
WHEELS.
New Lotus replica wheels but wider that the original Lotus ones, NOT welded banded but brand new wheels 7"x13" rear with new quality Falken 195/ 60r13 tyres and 6"x13" front with 185/ 60r13 with new Falken tyres. There is no rubbing or buffing issues with this set up.
SUMMARY
This is a practical 50 year old classic car that can be used everyday to the shops or the school run. It is taxed and mot exempt but I have moted it every year(3 times now)just for peace of mind. It has an agreed value with Hagerty insurance for £15, 000 for under £200 fully comp. This car is not for high speed performance track day use it was never build for this, but can be enjoyed on a country road. The high back seats and belts can be easily removed and standard original ones fitted if preffered. I had intended to keep this car for many years but a change in circumstances forces sale, in other words I need the money.
Happy to answer any questions and any inspection is welcome.
Cash on collection only or bank transfer. Part exchange only if the car has a value of under £5000
