Beschreibung:

Ford's 1960s profile-raising competition program 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-liter 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-liter class, often challenging for outright honors. Works cars were driven by Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Peter Arundell and Jacky Ickx, while Sir John Whitmore, driving an Alan Mann-entered Lotus Cortina, was European Touring Car Champion in 1965. Subsequent to the aforementioned axle change, the hitherto fragile Lotus Cortina went on to be a highly capable rally car, works driver Bengt Soderstrom winning the Acropolis and RAC rallies in 1966. The competition Cortinas are highly prized today - in 2007, Bonhams sold an ex-Works example, driven in period by Jim Clark, John Whitmore, and Jack Sears, for the equivalent of over $200,000 at the time. This Cortina has always been in California, as evidenced by the old-style black license plate which it still wears to this day. According to the vendor, it was purchased new by a Roger Juhl in Los Angeles in June 1967, having gone into service in February 1966 as a factory demonstrator. Its second owner, James Miller purchased the car in 1980 and kept it until selling it to its current owner in 1987. It has been stored inside since Miller purchased the car in 1980. It is a standard, unmodified Cortina – something virtually unheard of today - and will make a wonderful vintage sports touring car or provide the basis for a fine vintage racer. This Cortina retains its original Owners Handbook which records all the original purchase details, and is included in the sale. The chance to acquire an original Lotus Cortina is increasingly scarce – it is rarer still to find a 'California car', a 'black plate' car from new. As such, here is an exciting opportunity to acquire one of the great British icons of the Swinging Sixties.