Beschreibung:

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. This car has won the Italian Historic Saloon Championship three times and is fully competitive for FIA events. The all-steel 1,598cc Twin Cam engine was built by John Smirthwaite and has been maintained by the previous owner. Following a complete rebuild it has run just two hours since (one event) and has a new alternator, radiator, oil cooler and electric fuel pump. The gearbox has been overhauled with new bearings and blocker rings, while the differential is a ZF limited-slip of 4.7:1 ratio. Full FIA homologation papers - noting the car to have steel and aluminium body panels - are with it together with CSAI Technical Passport and fuel cell certificate. This is not a concours car but is by no means scruffy and represents an ideal opportunity to enter Historic Saloon/Top Hat series racing.