Ford’s 1960s profile-raising competition programme included recruiting Lotus boss Colin Chapman to give the new Cortina a sporting makeover. Chapman’s brief was to develop a Group 2 competition version; Lotus would then build the 1,000 cars required for homologation. Launched in 1963, the Lotus Cortina - Cortina Lotus in Ford parlance - featured the Elan’s Ford-based, twin-overhead-camshaft, 1.6-litre engine in the two-door bodyshell. McPherson strut independent front suspension was retained, with revised spring and damper rates, while the rear leaf springs were replaced by coil-spring/damper units, axle location being achieved by trailing arms and an ‘A’ bracket. The adoption of an alloy differential casing proved a mixed blessing, the lightweight component proving far less oil-tight than the original. Reversion to Ford's standard leaf-sprung axle cured the problem. Lotus Cortinas dominated saloon racing’s 2-litre class, often challenging for outright honours. Works cars were driven by Jim Clarke, Graham Hill, Peter Arundell and Jackie Ickx, while Sir John Whitmore, driving an Alan Mann-entered Lotus Cortina, was European Touring Car Champion in 1965. After the axle change, the hitherto fragile Lotus Cortina proved a highly capable rally car, works driver Bengt Soderstrom winning the Acropolis and RAC rallies in 1966. This right-hand drive Lotus Cortina was sold in 1986 by a UK vendor to Lucas Honi in Switzerland, who did four races with it. The current owner purchased the car in 1990 and did one race with it (at Zandvoort) before ‘retiring’ it to his private collection. Not used since, it will be in running condition at time of sale. The vehicle is offered with original logbook, engine build sheets and Automobile Club de Suisse entry details.
Ford’s 1960s profile-raising competition programme included recruiting Lotus boss Colin Chapman to give the new Cortina a sporting makeover. Chapman’s brief was to develop a Group 2 competition version; Lotus would then build the 1,000 cars required for homologation. Launched in 1963, the Lotus Cortina - Cortina Lotus in Ford parlance - featured the Elan’s Ford-based, twin-overhead-camshaft, 1.6-litre engine in the two-door bodyshell. McPherson strut independent front suspension was retained, with revised spring and damper rates, while the rear leaf springs were replaced by coil-spring/damper units, axle location being achieved by trailing arms and an ‘A’ bracket. The adoption of an alloy differential casing proved a mixed blessing, the lightweight component proving far less oil-tight than the original. Reversion to Ford's standard leaf-sprung axle cured the problem. Lotus Cortinas dominated saloon racing’s 2-litre class, often challenging for outright honours. Works cars were driven by Jim Clarke, Graham Hill, Peter Arundell and Jackie Ickx, while Sir John Whitmore, driving an Alan Mann-entered Lotus Cortina, was European Touring Car Champion in 1965. After the axle change, the hitherto fragile Lotus Cortina proved a highly capable rally car, works driver Bengt Soderstrom winning the Acropolis and RAC rallies in 1966. This right-hand drive Lotus Cortina was sold in 1986 by a UK vendor to Lucas Honi in Switzerland, who did four races with it. The current owner purchased the car in 1990 and did one race with it (at Zandvoort) before ‘retiring’ it to his private collection. Not used since, it will be in running condition at time of sale. The vehicle is offered with original logbook, engine build sheets and Automobile Club de Suisse entry details.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
