1964 Ford Lotus Cortina Competition Car

To be offered by Silverstone Auctions at the Race Retro sale taking place on February 25th 2023. 

Estimate: £30,000 - £35,000


The Lotus Cortina's serendipitous arrival resulted directly from Ford's decision to step up their motorsport involvement in the early 1960s. Their Head of UK Public Relations, Walter Hayes, spoke to Colin Chapman, asking him to come up with a competitive saloon, using their mainstream Cortina as a base that could be produced in sufficient numbers to satisfy the mandatory 'Group 2' homologation requirements, and with which the Blue Oval could beat all-comers. The solution was to take Ford's bullet-proof 1500 Kent engine, fit it with a twin-cam cylinder head, pop it into a stiffened Cortina shell, sort out the suspension and brakes and paint a green stripe down the side. The cars would be built by Lotus at its plant in Cheshunt and marketed through their dealer network as the Ford Cortina Lotus. Once fully developed, Lotus Cortinas (as they quickly became known) absolutely shone on track driven by household names including Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Jackie Ickx, Roger Clark and many, many more.

Offered here is a Mk1 Lotus Cortina that dates from 1964 and was campaigned successfully between 2011-2015. We’re informed that it was built for HSCC 'Class C' regulations and that it boasts an ally boot frame and skin, alloy door skins and retains the early 'A-Frame' rear end. Interested parties should satisfy themselves as to the specification of the car by coming to see it at the Race Retro sale.

Many race wins and fastest laps were achieved by Mark and Bob Jones in this car during the 2011-2015 seasons. Sadly, it's being offered from a deceased estate and consequently it has not been driven in anger for many years. Offered at a very competitive estimate, this certainly looks like a blank canvas and a great basis to potentially join the exciting world of historic motorsport.