Lot 230 - 1963 Ford Lotus Cortina Mk. I FIA

• Excellent pedigree and fully restored
• Rebuilt engine and gearbox
• Full FIA papers until 2031
• Ex-Rex Woodgate driven car

There are few road and racing cars more instantly recognised with its violent green arrow pointing it's way so clearly to success. Using Ford's eponymous two-door saloon and Colin Chapman's indomitable reputation for the twin-cam engine, the marriage was made in heaven. Chapman commissioned Harry Mundy, he 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 un updated dash featuring the necessary dials, uprated seating and a wood-rimmed steering wheel. A year after this example was produced, the ally body panels made way for steel ones. Again, making this one all the more collectable. The Cortina Lotus had by this time 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. Indeed I think wordsmith, Paul Chudecki, summed up one of this car’s most famous former drivers when writing for Magneto magazine, Rex Woodgate, when he competed both at the Nürburgring and Brands Hatch, describing him as “Former race mechanic to an up-and-coming Stirling Moss, ex-HWM and Vanwall race mechanic, builder of Aston Martin’s sports-racing cars, manager of the Elisha Walker DBR2 team and the face of Aston Martin in North America for two decades, [as well as] renowned Aston race-preparation specialist.

Currently in the hands of its fifth owner, this example presented here today is an entirely original early Lotus factory-built Mk. I twin-cam example. It benefits from a full restoration having been re-sprayed in 1998 by the previous owner, the body was seam-welded and incorporates a full FIA roll cage, door bars and foam filled aluminium-alloy fuel tank. This correct example with full race and rally FIA papers valid until 2031 benefits from a fully rebuilt engine and gearbox as well as a full new interior including roll cage, seats (& belts), competition electronics as well as many other ancillary parts. The engine has very few miles logged and comes with new pistons, cams, bearings, followers and clutch etc. It is mated to a new Quaife gearbox rebuilt by J.P. Silverstone, again with virtually no miles.

The suspension features heavy-duty bushes, modified crossmember, competition springs and Leda shock absorbers all round while the braking system uses Aeroquip braided hoses throughout. New front calipers and discs, and new brake shoes to the rear. These factors are all to accede to FIA specification. The Competition transmission incorporates an alloy bell housing Lotus Bullet gearbox completely rebuilt by JP gearboxes at Silverstone. The car also has a strengthened rear axle fitted with a Salisbury limited slip differential with all works completed by the current owner in 2020. This is an important Lotus Cortina, well-built and with an illustrious past.