25th May, 2024 10:00
The May 2024 Auction

1968 Ford Cortina Lotus MKII
Possibly the best example on the market
Estimate
£30, 000 - £34, 000

Buyer's premium: 15. 00%

Lot details
Registration: SRY249G
Chassis: BA91HD24165
Odometer: 69, 000
Transmission: Manual
MOT: Exempt

Stunning car in Alan Mann race colours
Very interesting history
Photographs showing rebuild process
Amazing attention to detail

It’s not often we see a car like this! A Ford Cortina Lotus MK2 finished in the Alan Mann colours of red with the gold stripe, with the black interior. Finished to a very high standard, it is simply stunning in every way! There is a host of photographs showing the rebuild it went through and copies of a magazine article explaining some of its life history, which is very interesting.

The car is believed to been owned a very interesting chap called Mike Spence, who was an F1 driver in the 1960s and competed in a number of races with a good level of success. He was also a motor trader dealing in high end sports cars, as well as being an agent for BRM engines. Unfortunately, he was tragically killed in a racing accident at Indianapolis.

The Cortina is in many ways very special, not least by the fact that it wears a plaque on its engine detailing that the engine was originally built by BRM for Mike Spence. Then there is the condition, which is amazing in every way with the trim and specification as it would have been in 1968. Some would argue that it is better, maybe.

The magazine article accompanying the car goes into a little more detail about Mike Spence regarding his racing career, and one interesting point is that he was also a works driver for Alan Mann Racing as well as his F1 career. Many drivers of the time drove for lots of different teams and often had other jobs as well, hence Mike being a motor trader. So maybe there is more to this car than we know, something for the new owner to look into possibly. As already mentioned, the condition of the Cortina is amazing and really needs to be seen to be appreciated both inside and out, as well as the engine bay which looks fantastic. The underside of the car is equally as good. It comes with a matching chassis plate and body tag, and has recently had a brake master cylinder overhaul. The vendor drove the car to our auction rooms and really enjoyed the drive.

This car was bought by the vendor to go into his fantastic high end car collection. He is known to us and only has cars of the highest quality, this being one of them. It is only being offered for sale due to a regrettable change in circumstances, otherwise this amazing Cortina would never be on the market. This really is an opportunity to acquire a Lotus Cortina of the highest standard that would be the star of any collection. Please feel free to come and view it at our auction rooms in Cheshire and bask in the beauty of this fabulous Lotus Cortina.