Description
A very early Pre-Aeroflow Ford Lotus Cortina Mk1. Club registered with full history.
// Model History
The Lotus-developed Cortina emerged after Fords Walter Hayes, tasked with creating a motorsport image, asked Colin Chapman of Lotus Cars to build a homologation special with which they could beat all comers in the rapidly burgeoning saloon car racing. It went on to dominate the category and rallying with the likes of Formula 1 stars of the day Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, and touring car drivers such as Sir John Whitmore, plus many more at the wheel.
Fitted with the Lotus instigated Ford-based twin overhead camshaft engine, as used in the Lotus Elan, one thousand cars were built as special racing examples. Subsequent production cars had dulled the racing edge. Marketing messages pitched it as a performance car for the family man.
All early cars, of which reputedly only approximately 200 survive, have many unique and desirable features, such as aluminium body panels and a specially developed Lotus A-Frame suspension.
Registration 444 YKK is historically significant, being the 88th example built in April 1963, the first full month of production at the Lotus factory in Cheshunt. It is within 20 of the earliest Pre-Aeroflow cars known to the Lotus Cortina Club Register (source: Rikki Nock, Membership Secretary & Registrar).
// Exterior
Absolutely gorgeous re finish in original iconic Ford Ermine White, (Code BA), with the Sherwood Green Flash. Instantly recognisable as an early car with Consul script in the bonnet badge, smaller front grille, and separate oval indicators. The perfectionists will be pleased that all the hard to spot early car features including the very early flat rear panel are present. The desirable aluminium panels are free from distortion and scrutinising the underside will reveal the immaculate A-Frame and one-piece torpedo propeller shaft, along with all other detailed and spotlessly clean early car features. Correct sealed-beam Lucas headlamps remain fitted and the ornate Butler rear lamps are free from damage. All badges are correct including the rare oblong Ford badge only fitted to the nearside front wing and one key fits all locks.
// Interior
Special individual front seats fitted to early cars are modified frames featuring extra padding around the edges of the squab for lateral support. The first six months of production featured unique front seat pattern design, and these are in new condition. The Dunlop Hytone moulded rubber floor covering is excellent. All Lotus derived instruments, 140 mph speedo (unique early production spec), combined oil / temp gauge and fuel gauge are contained within the unique early Lotus Cortina dash pod. The correct three-slotted spoke Springall steering wheel whose wooden rim has metal grip-studs on its inside (again an early production feature). The Lotus gear knob con-caved in the top (early spec). The door cards and door furniture are unmarked as is the confetti designated headlining and even the original type of door seals with the metal corner fastener remain. The jack, wheel brace, and handle remain.
// Engine & Transmission
The Lotus twin-cam engine is steeped with racing pedigree and the unit in this matching numbers car is LP104. Former F1 British Racing Motors (BRM) Engineer, Paul Fisher, was entrusted to rebuild the engine to as new condition in 2015, fully blueprinted with an itemised invoice and photos to prove totalling 102 hours. A dyno test confirms 132 bhp. Mated to a Lotus Elan (Rocket) close-ratio gearbox. Speeds of 60 mph in first, 78 mph in second, 92 mph in third and approaching 110 mph in fourth are quoted in period road tests.
// Wheels, Tyres, and Brakes
Wide-rimmed Dunlop steel road wheels were developed (stamped 881 A and of single rivet type) early spec measuring 5. 5J x 13 with new Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet tyres. A Girling Mk2 A 5. 5 inch remote hydraulic servo is fitted by Lotus along with large p 14 Calliper disc brakes upfront and larger 9-inch drums to the rear, a quick release hand brake lever was fitted. Production of the Lotus developed Cortina commenced in February 1963 and 444 YKK was the 88th example to be built in April 1963 by Lotus at its plant in Cheshunt. Supplied by Haynes of Maidstone and sold by Joe Haynes a then current British Saloon car racing driver. This was the first Lotus Cortina into their showroom and was sold to a Mrs. D Hay-Bolton on the 16th of July 1963, herself an accomplished performer in the London West End theatres. The writer recently had a long discussion with Mr. John Munday who purchased it in 1984 from the third owner a Mr. D Courtney after previous ownership by (unknown). At this stage the lightly driven car, although partially dismantled, was still in remarkably original and substantially rust-free condition. John is regarded as the first member of the Lotus Cortina Register to undertake a comprehensive and concours standard restoration. He advised that minimally he replaced the two front wings and carried out a small sill repair. John was an active member of the Lotus Cortina Register for 15 years.
In approximately 2001, he was approached by and sold to the late Mr. Trevor Barefoot of Exeter who was known internationally as the owner of only the best Homologation early Lotus Cortinas. In fact, during the writer’s communications with Trevor he sent a picture of his showroom with 28 early cars in it. Trevor would (I am told) not accept a later car as part exchange on his cars. He himself completed a number of restorations on notable early cars and, along with 444 YKK, has owned some of the most desirable Lotus Cortinas including 550 VAR, independent rear suspension car (ex Jim Clarke road car) and Bruce Reynolds’s Great Train Robbery car BMK 723A.
After admiring this car in showroom for a number of years Trevor on-sold the car to an unknown owner, it was then resold to a Mr. Alan Euyling from whom I (Bruce Miles) purchased it in 2013. I held it until 2016 when Trevor advised that a car he had restored with an equally great history - was for sale in New Zealand. Additionally, he had a purchaser looking for a perfect car on which to carry out the highest standard of restoration. In fact, this is what he created from the now older restoration on 444 YKK.
Having sold the car with regret, and latterly seeing it for sale again, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to buy it back. It is a fabulous restoration to which I have added the detailing in drivability and is now possibly the best of the best. Everything from the original build sheet, delivery document and green Buff logbook, to the full engine rebuild and restoration in 2014 is catalogued.
The history file is immense and includes valuable Lotus Club valuations, historic invoices and MOT certificates, original newspaper print Lotus Cortina adverts and road test reports and even more recent magazine features including Practical Classics Lotus Cortina Mk1 buyers Guide and Classic Cars magazine group test. The car has also been featured in Quarter Bumper, the magazine of the Lotus Cortina Register. With so many spurious examples lacking history and correct specification, this example will please the most discerning. Mileage since restoration is minimal.
HPI Clear.
