Lot 016: 1965 FORD LOTUS CORTINA

Mindful that the Harry Mundy and Keith Duckworth developed Lotus 'Twin-Cam' unit was based on his firm's 116E four-cylinder engine, Walter Hayes asked Colin Chapman to build 1,000 Lotus-powered Ford saloons for Group 2 homologation purposes. Although, based around a Cortina two-door monocoque bodyshell, the resultant Type 28 Lotus (or Cortina-Lotus in Ford speak) boasted a heavily revised suspension set-up, lightweight body panels and servo-assisted disc / drum brakes. Producing some 105bhp and 108lbft of torque, its 1558cc powerplant was allied to a close ratio four-speed manual gearbox and drove the rear wheels via an alloy-cased differential. Sadly, this latter component proved somewhat failure-prone due to the loads put on it by the redesigned A-bracket / twin trailing arm-located back axle. Progressively reworked in the interests of reliability / ease of maintenance, the Lotus-Cortina gained a two-piece propshaft, wider-spaced gear ratios, steel panels, Airflow styling (complete with full-width grille) and a stronger leaf-sprung rear axle. Tacking to the tracks in September 1963, its maiden outing at the Oulton Gold Cup was rewarded with 3rd and 4th places behind two Ford 7-litre Galaxies. As part of Ford's 'Total Performance' programme, the Lotus-Cortina found itself competing not only in Europe but as far afield as America, South Africa and New Zealand. A resounding success, the 1964 season saw Jim Clark win the British Saloon Car Championship, Jackie Stewart / Mike Beckwith triumph in the Malboro 12-hour and Alan Mann Racing take a 1-2 victory in the 'Motor' 6-hour International Touring Car Race at Brands Hatch. While, the adoption of the tougher leaf-sprung back axle helped Sir John Whitmore secure the 1965 European Touring Car Championship and Jackie Ickx claim that year's Belgian Saloon Car Championship. Brilliant on tarmac but surprisingly capable when off it too; the Lotus-Cortina's first Works Rally win was at the 1965 Welsh International. However, the following season yielded rather more silverware with victories on the Acropolis, RAC, Geneva and Canadian Shell 4000 events. Highly sought after as a road car thanks to its class-leading performance and handling, the MKI Lotus-Cortina remained in production until 1966 by which time some 3,301 are thought to have been made. Finished in the white with green side striping, this particular example appears to be in "good overall" condition. Part of Lotus specialist Paul Matty's 'hire' fleet, 'CAF 153C' was configured as a rally car when it entered the current ownership early last year. Intended to act as a 'stop gap' while the vendor's existing Lotus-Cortina racer was undergoing repairs, 'CAF 153C' was duly despatched to J.S. Motorsport and converted for track use. Since put back to rally specification - a role to which it is arguably better suited given its expertly seam-welded bodyshell - the saloon plays host to a neatly integrated roll cage, alloy fuel tank, twin facet pumps, minilite-style alloy wheels and Collins high-backed seats (complete with Total harnesses). Retaining a Lotus 'Twin-Cam' engine under the bonnet, it is also accompanied by front / rear bumpers and a sump guard. Something of a 'blank canvas' on which the next owner can work out his or her own road / rally / race aspirations, 'CAF 153C' is offered for sale with V5 registration document and old MOT certificate (expired September 2006). PLEASE NOTE: We have consulted Paul Matty about the history of this lot. He has told us that he was unable to prove that 'CAF 153C' was a genuine Lotus Cortina during his ownership. He has also stated that although the car was registered to his company 'Mattyhire' it was never hired out. It is possible that the car began life as an ordinary Ford Cortina and has since been upgraded to Lotus-Cortina specification. The car bears a non-standard chassis plate and prospective purchasers are reminded that they should satisfy themselves prior to bidding as to the condition of the lot and should exercise and rely on their own judgement as to whether the lot accords with its title description or not.