Ford Lotus Cortina FIA Race Car – Goodwood Eligible
March 12, 2026
The original Lotus Cortina is the art of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, a transformation that this Ford Lotus Cortina FIA race car takes to extremes thanks to its meticulous £140,000 restoration. The work, completed recently, was nothing short of a total ‘nut and bolt’ rebuild, with the final preparation and tuning undertaken by Lotus Cortina racing gurus Alan Mann Racing.
Competition History & Provenance
AMR was part of the team that made the Lotus Cortina such a dominant force in 1960s motorsport, earning it a reputation as a ‘giant-killer.’ Homologated for Group 2 racing in September 1963, the Ermine White with Sherwood Green striped cars quickly became as much crowd-pleasers as podium-stealers thanks to their tendency to take corners on three wheels while their 1.6-litre Lotus twin-cams screamed.
The silverware gathered quickly – Jim Clark won eight rounds to nab the 1964 British Saloon Car Championship. In 1965, Sir John Whitmore won the European Touring Car Championship for Alan Mann Racing, winning six out of eight races. Across the pond, the Lotus was highly competitive in the US Trans-Am Series, with Allan Moffat winning a round in 1966. The car also dominated the 2-litre class in Australia.
Success wasn’t limited to tarmac. On the gravel, there were wins in the 1966 RAC Rally and the Acropolis Rally of the same year. In ‘68, Harry Firth secured the inaugural Australian Rally Championship.
Race History Provenance
The car also carries genuine competition history. It was raced by Rex Woodgate, a respected figure in British motorsport who worked with racing legends including Stirling Moss. Woodgate campaigned this car at circuits such as the legendary Nürburgring and Brands Hatch, two venues that perfectly suit the Cortina’s nimble character.
Eligibility & Documentation
Unlike many historic racers that spend their days resting quietly in collections, this Cortina is ready to return to the circuit. It has been comprehensively rebuilt and prepared for competition use, including a rebuilt twin-cam engine and gearbox with minimal mileage since overhaul. The chassis has been seam-welded and fitted with modern safety equipment, including an FIA-approved roll cage, racing seats and harnesses, and a foam-filled aluminium fuel tank. It retains valid FIA Historic Technical Papers, making it eligible for historic racing and rally events until 2031.
Why The Lotus Cortina Still Matters
The Lotus Cortina established the template for generations of race-focused, sporting family cars – lightweight, sharp handling, and just enough power to keep things interesting. It was the original Fast Ford. Without the Lotus Cortina, there would be no Sierra Cosworth or even Focus RS.
We hope this remarkable racer gets back on track, perhaps to wow audiences at Goodwood, Silverstone or any number of European historic racing venues. But whatever its future holds, this is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a motoring Goliath and one where someone else has done all the hard work for you.
– Find out more about our Lotus Cortina auction car
Ford Lotus Cortina FIA Race Car Highlights
– ‘Box fresh’ restored FIA prepared race car
– £140,000 restoration by Alan Mann Racing & E Type UK
– Offered with a very competitive reserve
– Every aspect of the car was renovated and rebuilt
– Beautifully presented race-ready Mk1 Lotus Cortina
Lotus Cortina Key Facts
– 1,558cc DOHC inline-four developed with Cosworth, producing 105–150 bhp depending on the state of tune
– Unique, advanced rear suspension with vertical coil spring/dampers and A-brackets for better handling
– Aluminium doors, bonnet, and boot panels, alongside magnesium gearbox and differential casings
Key Drivers & Teams
– Jim Clark established the car’s 1964 dominance
– Sir John Whitmore: 1965 European champion
– Other notable Lotus Cortina drivers: Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Jacky Ickx, Vic Elford, and Jack Sears
– Key Teams: Team Lotus and Alan Mann Racing
