*FOR SALE* FORD LOTUS CORTINA MK1 // EARLY A-FRAME MK1 // MATCHING NUMBERS // EXCEPTIONAL RESTORATION

Equipment
1,558cc Lotus Twin Cam Engine, Early A-Frame Rear Suspension, Lightweight Aluminium Doors, Bonnet and Boot Lid, Twin Side-Draught Carburettors, Four-Speed Manual Gearbox, Silver-Painted Steel Wheels, Polished Full Hubcaps, Michelin Energy Tyres, Wood-Rimmed Steering Wheel, Additional Dashboard Instrumentation, Black Vinyl Interior, Lotus Cortina Badging

EXTERIOR
Few colour schemes identify a car quite as quickly as white and green. Compact Mk1 shape looks purposeful without trying too hard, carrying an unmistakable connection to the Cortina’s competition years.

As an early pre-Aeroflow car, it retains its lightweight aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid. The panels sit neatly against the restored shell, while slim chrome bumpers, polished window surrounds and bright hubcaps preserve the understated appearance of the original road car.

The quality of a restoration is often found in its consistency and that is where this Cortina stands out. Paintwork, panel fit, badging and exterior trim have all received the same careful attention, giving the car a crisp, cohesive finish from every angle.

INTERIOR
The cabin has the same honest appeal as the rest of the car. Pleated black vinyl, chrome-edged door cards and a body-coloured dashboard give it a distinctly 1960s atmosphere, with the wood-rimmed Lotus steering wheel providing a suitably sporting focal point.

Settle into the driver’s seat and the priorities are immediately clear. Four analogue instruments sit directly ahead, the long gear lever falls naturally to hand and the period radio and simple heater controls provide just enough comfort without adding unnecessary distraction.

The restoration feels fresh but not overdone. Smooth, taut upholstery, neatly fitted carpets and carefully presented switchgear and brightwork come together to create a cabin that retains all the charm of the original design.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The 1,558cc Lotus Twin Cam is what turned the modest Cortina into a genuinely serious performance car. Ford’s five-bearing block was paired with an aluminium twin-cam cylinder head and twin side-draught carburettors, producing 105bhp in standard road specification.

The Twin Cam has since been completely rebuilt, with a new high-pressure oil pump and fresh seals fitted throughout. Its original carburettors were professionally refurbished, although a new pair was ultimately installed to deliver greater consistency.

Attention extended through the rest of the drivetrain. The four-speed gearbox was rebuilt, the differential stripped and inspected, and the assembly completed with new seals. It is a reassuring body of mechanical work, matched by an engine bay that remains clean, purposeful and full of period character.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Simple steel wheels suit the Cortina’s light, unadorned shape particularly well. Finished in silver and set off by bright domed hubcaps, they sit neatly beneath the arches and give the car the understated road-going appearance of an early 1960s sporting saloon.

Michelin Energy tyres are fitted, providing an appropriate profile and a consistent appearance across the car.

HISTORY FILE
First registered in 1964, this early pre-Aeroflow Lotus Cortina spent part of its earlier life within private estate ownership. It later passed to an enthusiast in 2013 who kept it for approximately ten years as part of a substantial collection, during which time it saw relatively little use and underwent an extensive restoration.

After entering its current ownership in 2023, a further programme of specialist work refined both its presentation and mechanical specification. This included correctly rolling the front wing edges, rectifying several instruments and controls, and fitting the correct radiator and front dampers.

The engine and four-speed gearbox have since been fully rebuilt, with the differential inspected and the drivetrain reassembled using new seals. Replacement side-draught carburettors were fitted, with the original set retained, and a subsequent dynamometer test recorded 109bhp. The history file contains supporting invoices, inspection records and marque correspondence.

The history file contains invoices for the restoration and mechanical work, marque correspondence and inspection records, together with supporting documentation for the engine, transmission and carburettor work.

Please visit our website for a full write up and additional photographs.

The car is supplied having had an extensive intake inspection. Warranty, Finance, Part Exchange and Worldwide shipping are all available on request.

Buy with confidence: we operate from a 10,000sq ft indoor showroom with the support of a fully functioning 4000sq ft preparation and service centre that includes a professional photo studio that is used by Top Gear, McLaren and Alpine Stars. We have a passionate team that work incredibly hard to ensure all our motor cars go through our rigorous and unique sales process so they are presented in the best possible condition and light, then found homes all over the world.

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** SIMILAR VEHICLES ALWAYS REQUIRED**

Selling? Our commission sale or SOR (Sale or Return) program is a great way to utilise and access our services and facilities while still maximising the return from your vehicle with minimal hassle, If you’d like to take advantage of this then please get in touch for further information. Alternatively If you’d like to move your vehicle on quickly and efficiently with minimal delay then we can make an offer on an outright purchase basis with payment and collection arranged soon after.