"There are few road and racing cars more instantly recognised than a Lotus Cortina, with its green arrow pointing its way so clearly towards success. Using Ford's eponymous two-door saloon and Colin Chapman's fabulous twin-cam engine, the marriage was a match made in heaven. Chapman commissioned Harry Mundy, of Coventry Climax fame, to come-up with a twin-cam version of Ford’s Kent engine. Keith Duckworth from Cosworth tuned the motor and the 1.6 litre unit was born. Together with the same close-ratio gearbox as the Elan, some drastically altered suspension and lightweight alloy panels used for doors, bonnet and boot, weight began to be shed and lap times dropped. The interior received an updated dash featuring the necessary dials, uprated seating and a wood-rimmed steering wheel. By 1966, the Lotus Cortina had earned an impressive competition reputation. Motor Sport greats such as Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Vic Elford, Jack Sears, Sir John Whitmore, and Jacky Ickx all raced them and helped the car gain the iconic status it has today.This example of this iconic racing saloon is in race trim and race prepared with full roll cage, bucket seat and carries the usual Lotus Cortina livery. The present owner, who used to race the British Touring Car Championship in the 1960s against such luminaries as Jack Sears, Sir John Whitmore and Jim Clark to name a few, bought the car in early 2000s with the view he wanted to compete on the circuits with his son. Barwell Motorsport were instrumental in its preparation for competition with the scrutinizing input from the vendor to make sure the car was going to as competitive as possible at that time – which it was! In 2002, on the rolling road, the car showed an output of 185 bhp which, considering its interior is stripped out for racing etc, it was a quick racing saloon and still is in the right hands of course! The car was first delivered to its new owner on 8th November 1965 as shown in the original buff log book and we believe that in the 1990s the car was converted for race use but there is no paperwork to support this timeline of the work carried out. The car is fitted with a power lock differential suitable for most circuits 4.5/1 and a further diff 4.2/1 for longer circuits, Bullet gearbox and racing clutch, modified half shafts extra strong, fully adjustable suspension and disc brakes all round, the engine has a solid billet crankshaft and modified camshafts up to date starter and alternator. Within the current vendor’s ownership, the car has won many awards together with his son at the wheel, proving that it is indeed still capable of winning in the right hands as they were when driven in anger in period by Jim Clark etc. The car comes with a spare period engine, and a standard gearbox ( photographed), lots of smaller spare’s, original drum brakes etc. original buff log book and various invoices showing expenditure over a period of years. A great opportunity to purchase an iconic racing saloon which is eligible for many historic events including the world famous Goodwood Revival (subject to invitation by Lord March).
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