Selling for a rousing $75,000 (plus fees) yesterday was our Mark 1 Cortina. For the inexperienced, the Cortina represents itself as the forerunner of today’s super saloons (sedans). In 1963, Ford and Lotus teamed up to prepare cars for Group 2 racing which requires homologation models to be sold. Ford supplied the engines and bodies and Lotus built the beasts. The Cortina would go on to triumph in rallies all over Europe, and the street-sold versions were, even mechanically, remarkably close to their racing counterparts. All of that made this auction, and this example, extraordinarily unique.
Originally sold in 1967 in Maryland, this Cortina has been raced, modified, and restored by professionals for nearly its entire life. The original motor has been changed out with a larger displacement motor that was a mix of the Twin-Cam Lotus engine and a MkII Cortina block. Pistons, rings, valves, exhaust, and even some of the engine accessories are just some of the items that have all be rebuilt and improved. The exterior is painted in the classic Cortina color scheme (Ermine White and Sherwood Green striping) and is complete with 13” steel wheels covered in chrome. Inside, the original materials are all accounted for and have aged well. The black vinyl seats, wooden steering wheel, and even the Lotus Indianapolis 500 championship plaque are all still bright and crisp. Complete with previous records, photographs, original owners manual, and a clean California title (plus the original Maryland title) made this sale a time capsule of the sixties.
