1966 Ford Cortina Mark 1 Lotus

Welcome to the sale of my last Mk1 Lotus Cortina project. I’ve completed my other Lotus projects, I have the cars I wish for in my collection, & at the age of 75, I’d rather enjoy driving them, than building another! This is a genuine Lotus Cortina, as authenticated by Andy Morrell of The Lotus Cortina Register. This car, was included in a batch of seventeen Lotus Cortina’s that were exported to the USA in June of 1966, from Ford’s assembly plant in Dagenham. This particular car lived in the sunny state of California, which bears out in the condition of the body shell. The body still has its original chassis number stamping, which is almost unheard of, as that area usually rots away! In 1976 the car was exported to Italy, little is known about it’s history thereafter. With thanks to Andy, who assisted with the UK registration, the DVLA have issued this car with the correct “D” suffix on its new registration. I purchased the car on the 23rd August 2022, pretty much, as you see it now. I have a current V5, in my name, at my home address, where the car resides.

The body shell has had the vast majority of its metal work completed, along with the right hand drive conversion. The bulkhead still needs to be drilled for the master cylinders on the right hand side, & the bulkhead reinforcing plate (which I have) added. What remains is largely detailing work, & prepping for paint. Both doors have been re-skinned up to the body swage line, & are in very good order. The keen eyed of you will have noted ‘66 Lotus’s didn’t have opening quarter lights, they did for the export market! Both the bonnet & boot will need some work to their outer edges.

The engine was re-built prior to my purchase. The block & head numbers are matching, this number also features on the current V5. Not having any build sheets or receipts, I decided to remove the sump & inspect a main & big end for journal sizes. Mains +030”, big ends +020”. Everything looks correct & clean, & it looks like new pistons have been fitted. I also removed the cam cover to inspect the cams, they look like new, & are standard 0. 350” lift. It also has a rebuilt pair of 40DCOE’s fitted. Also included, is a new flywheel. All in all, I can believe the figure of £12, 000 I was told has been spent on this engine. The gearbox has also been rebuilt, I’m lead to believe.

The rest of the parts will largely require restoration work, be it cosmetically, functionally, or both! What you see in the photographs is what comes with the car, with the exception of the body dollies & engine stand. I had the correct four 881A 13x5, 1/ 2J steel wheels blasted & powder coated, & fitted with new tyres. The two front quarter bumpers I purchased new. The rear shock absorbers are “new old stock”. There is a complete set of glass.

I’m happy to discuss the project with serious parties, & would welcome them to view. It all sits as it was photographed, in one of my centrally heated garages! Silly questions or offers will be ignored!