A fine Lotus Cortina tribute based on a 1965 MKI Cortina 2 door Deluxe
The result of a 10-year labour of love by the current owner
Complete with a rebuilt 2L Cosworth engine fitted with twin 45 Webers
The Appeal
By the early 1960’s Ford were poised and ready to take the fight to Morris and Vauxhall with their new family-sized saloon. Slightly concerningly Roy Brown Jr was charged with the car’s design. Brown had been exiled to Dagenham following his design of the Edsel, a huge flop of a car. Concerns were misplaced, however, with the well resolved, well received Cortina being launched in September 1962. A year later the iconic Ford Cortina Lotus was launched, soon to simply be known as the Lotus Cortina. This model was fitted with a 1557cc engine originally designed for the Lotus Elan almost instantly making it hugely desired and coveted by enthusiasts.
This example started life as a MKI Cortina 2 door Deluxe. As such it presented the current owner with the opportunity to create a unique tribute to his favourite car, the Lotus Cortina. This car now represents an exciting ownership opportunity for like minded enthusiasts, the like of which is unlikely to be repeated.AoOAxgA0oXy1jdKl9fKxHb2fIgbjKd1C71SucmFS.jpg396.83 KB
The History and Paperwork
This cars chassis number helpfully reveals its origins
The BA74EM prefix defines the car as a British car produced at Dagenham
The 74 defines the Cortina as a 2 door Deluxe model
The EM confirms the build date as March 1965
The car was owned, used and enjoyed by 10 owners between 1965 and 2013
In July 2013 the current owner acquired the car to become the 11th keeper
In his ten-year tenure the current owner has transformed it into what you see today
During this time all running gear has been renewed or restored
There is plenty of informative paperwork included with the Cortina
The V5 in the name of the current owner is present
This classifies the Cortina as an Historic Vehicle
As such it is considered MOT and VED exempt in the UK
Numerous earlier MOTs are on hand in hard copy
The rest of the archive consists of many invoices
These document the many thousands spent on parts and services
The Cortina’s interior has been appropriately stripped out to race trim
This is emphasised by bucket seats with four-point harnesses
A heavy gauge, tubular half roll bar is even fitted
The current owner has worked diligently to create a very authentic competition feel to the cabin of this Cortina. Much of the superfluous fittings have been stripped out to leave much of the cabin structure finished in body coloured white paint. Twin bucket seats are fitted. These supportive items are finished in black, hard-wearing vinyl. These are fitted with blue Securon, four-point harnesses. The rear seats have been stripped out and a tubular, white painted roll bar fitted. An alloy rear bulkhead has been fitted.
The dashboard is predominantly finished in black with a black vinyl covered foam top roll. A pistol shaped, Lotus alloy fascia panel is fitted. This is populated with a full set of white on black Smiths gauges. These consist of a speedometer and tachometer ahead of the driver. In the centre, four smaller auxiliary gauges are fitted. A three spoke alloy Cortina steering wheel is fitted with a varnished wooden rim. A red, engine cut-off switch is also noted. Front door cards and light, perforated headlining appear to be original Cortina items.
The spacious boot is equally stripped out and finished in body coloured paint. A racing specification Facet fuel management system with braided pipework is mounted in here. So is the new looking battery, safely secured in an alloy holder.rUkLCKelI0rF41iWTgXC2KF6yPpSuMemR2bDOu87.jpg390.5 KB
The Exterior
The exterior has been restored and resprayed by Upminster Classics
The car has been finished in the correct Ermine White with Sherwood Green flash
The Minilite wheels and front bumper delete completes the Lotus Cortina look
The exterior of the Cortina has benefitted from the expert attentions of Upminster Classics who treated it to a £6,300 restoration. During this process they fitted new sills, made lower wing repairs and resprayed the car in the Lotus Cortina Ermine White and Sherwood Green livery. As such the external condition of the car is excellent with no faults or issues noted.
The car has undergone a front bumper delete to emphasise the Lotus Cortina look. The car rides on a set of 13-inch Minilite style Minator alloy wheels. These are finished in metallic silver and are in excellent condition all round. The wheels are shod with a matching set of Toyo Proxes R888 R tyres in a 185/60 configuration.
This Cortina is powered by a DOHC 16V 2L Cosworth engine
This has been professionally rebuilt at a cost of £2,500
Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission
As the accompanying invoices will show, this car has enjoyed a wealth of mechanical attention with every part of the running gear either replaced or refurbished. A key highlight is the 2L Cosworth engine. This has also benefitted from the attentions of Upminster Classics who fully rebuilt the engine. At that point numerous ancillaries were added and replaced. This includes the fitting of twin Weber 45 DCOE carburettors and accompanying fixtures at a cost of £850 just for the parts. A new alloy radiator was also fitted. A full stainless steel exhaust system was also fitted in 2014 at a total cost of over £1,500. As a result of all this diligent attention the current owner reports no known mechanical issues or faults.
The under-bonnet presentation is excellent. On lifting the bonnet, the amount and quality of new and refurbished parts fitted becomes evident. There is lots of eye-catching detail in here with a presentation and cleanliness which is surely of a prize-winning quality. The underside of the car to close to being as well presented with many new parts in evidence here, too.Xs5w8CVRCvraOtb2TjBpGwfrmNoc2748A6LgTO37.jpg387.39 KB
Summary
The MKI Lotus Cortinas were produced in low volumes despite their popularity and desirability. Their innate driving dynamics combined with a demand that has always outstripped supplied has resulted in original cars now fetching eye-watering prices. As such, professionally conceived and executed tribute cars make more and more sense with each passing year.
This example is hard to fault. It has been conceived and executed from an enthusiasts’ point of view with no time or expense spared in achieving the owner’s clear vision. The result of this clarity of vision speaks for itself and offers the next lucky owner a unique and exciting ownership opportunity. For fans of fast Fords this fascinating Cortina is surely too good to miss.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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