Highlights

Prepared for participation in regularity rallies
In very good condition, both cosmetically and mechanically
Accompanied by a substantial paperwork file

The Appeal

Most British families will have at least one story involving a Ford Cortina and it seems there was one on almost every driveway at some point. The Mk I remains the most sought after, which is largely owed to its success in motorsport. We’ve all heard of the Ford Lotus Cortina of course, which was fitted with a Lotus twin-cam engine. The highest spec Ford-engined Cortina was marketed as the GT, and that’s exactly what we have here. This car was originally built by the owner of well-known Ferrari specialist, QV London, Mike Lester, for his own use, and prepared to the same standard usually reserved for Ferrari’s.

This very handsome example has been prepared for regularity rallying, fitted out with a full roll cage, timing equipment, sports seats, competition harnesses and a whole host of other additions. It looks the part too, finished in the iconic Alan Mann period race team colours of Red/Gold with a black bonnet, Minilite-style wheels and fronted by a pair of Cibie spot lamps. While it has not been driven extensively for some years, the vendor reports that the Cortina seems to be driving exactly as it should. If you’re searching for a ready-made classic rally car, then look no further.

The History and Paperwork

Acquired by the vendor a few years ago with the intention of entering regularity rallies
Formed part of a sizeable car collection, much of which was comprised of competition cars
Accompanied by numerous invoices, most of which the vendor informs us date from the 1990s
Not driven extensively in recent years, so the vendor recommends a thorough service before the car is entered into any competition
Some photographs of previous rallied the car has participated in
V5C present
Copy of an original handbook
Exempt from road tax and MOT history
Two sets of keys

The Interior

Stripped of all carpeting and the rear seat bench
Competition seats and Williams harnesses for driver and passenger
OMP sports steering wheel
Treadplate applied to the floors for additional grip
Retains door cards and a headlining
Original dashboard with several additional gauges, switches and timing gear
Electrical cut-off witch
Full roll cage
Competition pedals with left foot rest
The boot carpet has been removed
Racing fuel tank with in-boot filler
Plastic battery box (mounted in the boot)

This Ford’s interior has everything you’d expect to see from a properly prepared historic rally car. It retains the original dashboard, door cards and headlining although is otherwise stripped back in order to fit the roll cage, sports seats and racing harnesses. Besides the safety equipment, we also find auxiliary gauges, additional switches and timing equipment for regularity events.

We understand all to be in good working order and there’s no excessive wear or damage anywhere to be seen.

The Exterior

Red and gold Alan Mann race team livery
Matt black bonnet
Originally blue, having been finished in the current livery during the 1990s
Cibie spot lamps with covers (not currently wired in)
Large Lucas reversing lamp
External cut-off switches
RMD Minilite-style alloy wheels
The tyres appear in fine order and the vendor informs us they were fitted very recently
Equipped with a substantial sump guard
Straight bodywork with smart paint
Small area of corrosion to the arch behind the offside front wheel
There are a few marks and scuffs as one would expect from a car used in classic rallying
‘Bullet’ style period competition mirrors

The Mk I Cortina was beautifully styled and seeing this GT in a period racing livery is most evocative of the era. The bodywork is immensely straight for a competition car and while there are of course some marks to the paint, there’s certainly nothing especially noticeable. There wouldn’t appear to be any structural corrosion and the only rust we spotted was a small area to the arch behind the offside front wheel. The lightweight alloy wheels help keep unsprung weight to a minimum and really look the part too.

The Mechanics

1498 cc four-cylinder pushrod engine
Twin Weber carburettors
Equipped with a 4 speed gearbox
Recent brake calliper refurbishment
Not used in competition for some time and therefore the vendor recommend the new owner goes through the car mechanically prior to being used again in this way
Reportedly driving well, with no apparent faults

The GT was the most powerful variant of the Mk I Cortina, with Ford quoting an output of 78 bhp from its 1498 cc four-cylinder engine. We understand this car to be running and driving very well indeed, with plenty of performance and no apparent faults. The vendor states that it benefits from a recent brake calliper refurbishment.

Summary

This Cortina GT looks fabulous in its period livery and it has all the kit to match too. A tried and tested classic rally car, we hope to see it take part in regularity events once more and we're sure it will be welcome at a number of historic competitions.

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