Beschreibung:

The history of the Lotus Cortina began in 1961 after Colin Chapman decided he wanted to build his own engines for Lotus. The engine's first appearance was in 1962 at the Nürburgring in a Lotus 23 driven by Jim Clark. Immediately after and almost as soon as the engine appeared in the Lotus Elan, it was recalled and replaced with a larger capacity unit to get the car closer to the 1.6 litre capacity class in motorsport. Whilst the engine was being developed, Walter Hayes from Ford asked Colin Chapman if he would fit the engine to 1,000 Ford saloons for Group 2 homologation. Chapman quickly accepted and the Type 28 or Lotus-Cortina was duly launched. Ford supplied the two-door Cortina body shells and took care of all the marketing and selling of the cars whilst Lotus did all the mechanical and cosmetic changes. The major changes involved installing the 1,558cc engine together with the same close-ratio gearbox as the Elan. The cars also received front quarter bumpers and round Lotus badges were fitted to rear wings and to the left side of the radiator panel. Interior modifications were limited to a centre console designed to accommodate the new gear lever position, different seats and the later style dashboard featuring tachometer, speedometer, oil pressure, water temperature and fuel level gauges as well as a wood-rimmed steering wheel. This genuine Lotus Cortina Mk. I was subject to a full restoration some 14 years ago and has covered approximately 9,250 miles since. The quality of restoration work was clearly exceptional as the car is still in superb condition today. The white paintwork is virtually unmarked as is the interior. The fastidious vendor has maintained the Lotus with a 'no expense spared' attitude and the engine has recently been rebuilt. Supplied with a V5 registration document and an MoT test certificate valid until 18th June 2015, together with a history, this matching numbers Lotus Cortina is a great opportunity to own a splendid example of these collectable and appreciating classics.