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Lotus Cortina Mk1

1966 · 67,888 miles · Manual · Ivory White

£56,995

Listed today at UK Sports Cars, Wingham. Last checked today.

Key facts

Year: 1966
Mileage: 67,888 miles
Gearbox: Manual
Engine: 1.6-litre Lotus Twin Cam four-cylinder
Fuel: Petrol
Drive: RWD
Body: Saloon
Colour: Ivory White
Generation: Mk1

About this car

The Mk1 Lotus Cortina, a Ford saloon fitted with Lotus's Twin Cam engine, is one of the defining 1960s touring cars. This 1966 example was inspected in April 2016 by Andy Morrell, General Secretary of the Lotus Cortina Register, who verified it as authentic and genuine.

It shows 67,888 miles, which the dealer says matches MOT certificates going back to 1973. Invoices go back to the same year. The engine has been rebuilt by Twin Cam specialist Q.E.D. of Leicester, and the car had a bare-metal respray in 1982 at 49,934 miles, with Dinitrol rust protection applied in 1978. The brake servo and master cylinder were overhauled in 2021.

Details are largely original: the wood-rimmed steering wheel and instruments, an interior that has not been re-trimmed, and correct badging including the Indianapolis 500 Winners emblem. It comes with Minilite alloys as well as the original steel wheels and hubcaps.

Written by Vertar from UK Sports Cars’s listing. Check the details with the dealer before you buy.

Performance

The maker’s official figures for this model, not measurements of this car (Ford/Lotus published engine figures (105 bhp gross, 1558cc Lotus twin-cam); weight, top speed and 0-60 omitted because widely quoted figures come from period road tests, not the manufacturer).

Power: 105 bhp
Engine: 1,558 cc, 4 cylinders
Engine position: Front-engined
Induction: Naturally aspirated