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Classified Info

Ford Lotus Cortina Mk1

To Be Auctioned

Description

Ford Lotus Cortina Mk1 – With less than 1,000 miles since a bare-shell, ‘nut and bolt’ restoration and, carrying the iconic ‘KPU; registration prefix, this evocative Mk1 seems very sensibly guided.

Our vendor, a circuit racer of some repute and a Lotus enthusiast purchased this car in 2011 with just 800 miles on the odometer, the odometer having been reset after a ‘nut and bolt’ restoration completed in 2004. It has since been part of his large collection since that time and has been little used with the odometer now reading just over 900miles. It has been prepared for the sale including a 20 mile shakedown and now comes to auction pretty much the way it was when he bought it back in 2011.

The restoration of the Lotus is extensively documented in the accompanying history file with a full photographic record of the bare-shell rebuild. This work was undertaken by marque specialist, Eddie Ganderton, and the history file details considerable expenditure on new and N/OS parts. Of note is that, in keeping with the works rally cars, this car is fitted with a Lotus rear leaf spring set up mated to a one piece propshaft preparation although the mountings for the alternative ‘A’ frame suspension are in situ. The balanced and gas-flowed engine is fed by twin 40DCOE Webers and period Magard throttle linkages, and the car benefits from a limited-slip differential, uprated transmission, and Bilstein dampers etc. The full specification of the mechanical build is in the history file. As is often the case with restored 60-year old cars, it’s possible that all, or part of, a donor shell may have been used to restore this car at sometime, however, and critically, the register confirms that this Lotus Cortina’s chassis number is not registered to any other vehicle.

The final touches to this fast road/rally car are the addition of a working period Halda, Waltham 8-day mechanical clock, Avanti Flexilight, Lucas Continental driving lamps, Britax inertia seat belts, fixed-back front seats, period cut-off switch and that number KPU103C all documented in the history file.

Cars carrying registration numbers beginning KPU became synonymous with competition Fords. The restoration of this car celebrates and replicates one of the most famous competition Cortinas ever, KPU380C, being the 1966 RAC and Alpine Rally Lotus Cortina driven by legendary Vic Elford and navigator David Stone.

Very attractively guided to offer a new owner the chance to don the string back gloves just as Vic Elford did back in 1966!

RACE RETRO COLLECTORS’ CAR SALE 2024

Entries are now invited our first sale of 2024 on Saturday 24th February at Race Retro, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Entries close on 24th January. Race Retro brings together over 24,000 fans, drivers and enthusiasts at the start of the competition car calendar for a weekend of all things motorsport. As the shows official auction partner for the 12th year, we are now inviting entries for what promises to be a magnificent, dedicated sale of Classic and Competition Cars. Discounted tickets for the show are available using the code ICONICAUC.

 

Seller Info

by Harry Whale
Published: 24 January 2024 (2 months ago)
To Be Auctioned
Member Since
04 Dec 2023
Phone Number
tel:07919 887374
Currency Options
To Be Auctioned
Seller Accepts
Bank Transfer
Agree with terms and conditions?
Yes