Lotus Cortina Mk1 (FIA) Replica

The Lotus Cortina’s serendipitous arrival resulted directly from Ford’s decision to step up their motorsport involvement in the early 1960s. Their Head of UK Public Relations, Walter Hayes, spoke to Colin Chapman asking him to come up with a competitive saloon, using their mainstream Cortina as a base, that could be produced in sufficient numbers to satisfy the mandatory ‘Group 2’ homologation requirements and with which the Blue Oval could beat all-comers. The solution was to take Ford’s bullet-proof 1500 Kent engine, take it out to 1588cc, fit a Twin-Cam cylinder head, pop it into a stiffened Cortina shell, sort out the suspension and brakes, paint a green stripe down the side and the Type 28 had arrived. The cars would be built by Lotus at its plant in Cheshunt and marketed through their dealer network as the Ford Cortina Lotus. Once fully developed, Lotus Cortinas (as they quickly became known) absolutely shone on track as they have continued to do for the last 60 years.

The car presented here is a 1963 Lotus Cortina Mk1 (FIA) replica race car built by renowned specialist Steve Lancaster of Selby, who utilised a totally rust-free South African bodyshell, whilst adding an alloy bonnet, boot, doors and race-spec Perspex windows.

It has FIA certification until the 31st December 2027 (see images attached of FIA/MSA Technical Passport), with the obligatory FIA-certified roll-cage and alloy fuel tank. It features a full race-spec JS Motorsport Ltd. / John Smirthwaite of Warwickshire engine on 45DCOE carbs, with only running-in hours covered, a close-ratio gear box, one piece prop-shaft, 4.7 LSD, heavy-duty half-shafts, competition-spec Gaz adjustable shock absorbers (front &rear), single leaf springs, uprated front coil springs, dual brakes, and Minilite wheels.

This very capable historic race car (which is road-registered) and has all-important FIA papers offers huge potential and superb value over and above a genuine example, which can be worth three times the lower guide figure presented here, an opportunity not to be missed.

The Iconic Sale at Race Retro 2026 – Competition Cars

Entries for our Competition Car Sale have now closed, the auction will take place on Saturday 21st February from 10.30am in Hall 1, Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, CV8 2LG. Viewing is available in person at the auction venue from 9am on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February, where our team of specialists will be on hand to answer any queries. Registration for bidding is open, either by clicking the button below or by emailing [email protected]. Bidding is available in person, online, on the telephone or via a commission bid. Entry to the auction is with an Auction Catalogue, available to purchase on the day £20 admits two. Show tickets are not required to attend just the auction, however if you wish to visit the wider event you will require a show ticket – use discount code PTICA to save £2 on each ticket.