Vehicle Details
- Year: 1966
- Make: Lotus
- Model: Cortina
- VIN: BA74FM59737
- Mileage Shown: 21,736mi (TMU)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Bill of Sale
- Color: White
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Hauppauge, NY 11788
- Lot #: V-0026013
Available for auction is this 1966 Lotus Cortina Mk1 race car finished in white. In 1962, in conjunction with Keith Duckworth of Cosworth, Lotus founder Colin Chapman built his own twin-cam version of Ford’s 1,498cc five-bearing engine. When Chapman was approached by Ford with the proposition of installing his new engine in the Cortina for Group 2 homologation, he accepted, and the Lotus Cortina was born. This 1966 example has been fully restored and features a full roll cage, Koni struts, a Sparco racing seat and harness, a 1,600cc inline four-cylinder engine mated to a semi-close ratio 4-speed manual transmission, VTO wheels, an aluminum radiator, an oil cooler, and more. It is said to have raced in the 2010 season of the Corinthian Vintage Auto Racing series, with a best finish of second place. This vintage Lotus race car is now being offered for auction by its seller out of New York.
The Lotus Cortina was only offered as a two-door saloon and used special lightweight aluminum panels for the doors, hood, and trunk. This example is finished in the only color offered by Lotus, white with a green body band. During its restoration, the body was reportedly refinished and is said to remain in very good overall condition. Features include lightweight Lexan windows, front and rear tow hooks, window safety nets, external trunk latches, and headlight covers. It rides on a set of 13” VTO wheels dressed in Hoosier T.D. tires. An extra set of tires is said to accompany the car.
The stripped-out interior has been painted and outfitted with an integrated roll cage with a door bar, a single Sparco Evo 3 seat, a dash-mounted kill-switch, a fire extinguisher, and a three-spoke Sparco steering wheel. All gauges, electronics, and accessories are said to remain functional.
Power comes from a 1,600cc DOHC inline-four cylinder engine with 11.5:1 compression, Ross pistons, Petronix ignition, a Flamethrower coil, Taylor wires, an aluminum radiator and oil cooler, and two Weber 40 DCOE carburetors with 36mm chokes and Pegasus filters. The rear wheels are driven by way of a 2000E semi-close ratio 4-speed manual transmission and a 3.90 Quaife limited-slip differential. Additional upgrades include a solid center 8.5” Dave Bean clutch disc, a 907 Q 0119 Dave Bean pressure plate, an 8-gallon fuel cell with Aeroquip lines and fittings, a Holley Red fuel pump, Moser axles, Koni struts with 550 LB springs, Gaz adjustable rear suspension, a 1” font anti-roll bar, and an Odyssey Gell battery. The seller notes that service has been carried out regularly by a private mechanic and that a secondary exhaust system will accompany the car.
This Lotus is offered on a bill of sale.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $32,250
- Auction End: Jan 18, 2023 08:21:58PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 21
Comments (30)
Sold for $32,250
Bid in the amount of $32,250
Bid in the amount of $32,000
Bid in the amount of $31,250
Bid in the amount of $31,000
Bid in the amount of $30,000
Bid in the amount of $28,000
Bid in the amount of $27,500
Bid in the amount of $27,000
Bid in the amount of $26,500
Bid in the amount of $26,250
Bid in the amount of $26,000
Bid in the amount of $25,250
Bid in the amount of $25,000
Bid in the amount of $24,500
Bid in the amount of $24,250
Bid in the amount of $24,000
Bid in the amount of $22,750
Bid in the amount of $22,500
@ggg2 - - -
Thanks for the info - I had 2 - yes 2 1967 Lotus Cortinas so I know them really well... I rebuilt one motor myself but they had only 115 hp stock, and that would not cut it in an SVRA race, so the HP is really important if you can somehow find out...
I race prototypes in Masters and SVRA so this would be a fun racer to add... I'll think about it.
@EndlessmountainsLLC unfortunately, i have no real documentation regarding the rebuild. i do, however, have compression and leak down numbers from my shop engineer.
compression Cyl:
1 45/80
2 40/80
3 40/80
4 40/80
leak cyl:
(cold)
1 10%
2 6%
3 5%
4 4%
excellent numbers and these are cold numbers.
glad to arrange a visit.
Bid in the amount of $20,000
I got it - do you have documentation on the rebuild and do you have a dyno run sheet done after the rebuild ?
@EndlessmountainsLLC it is a fresh restoration with zero hours. the car is in Hauppauge and can be visited easily. just let me know. we have not done a leak down due to its condition of fresh restoration. but i will have it warmed up today and will publish leak down numbers later.
@analogmike it is a fresh rebuild with zero hours. i don't know of its history prior to the prior owners restoration.
Seller - have you done compression / leak down tests you can provide ? How many hours/ miles since engine / gearbox overhaul ? Can this car be visited by a friend of mine living on Long Island ?
Looks awesome! When and where was this car last raced? Hours on engine and trans?
Bid in the amount of $10,000
Bid in the amount of $2,500
Welcome and thank you for looking at my Lotus Listing! i bought this with the full intention of racing it. Having watched these cars compete at Brooklands gave me a great appreciation for what their performance and why they were so successful in their day!
Unfortunately, as things turn out, my vintage interests have gone in a different direction.
I will be glad to clarify any details in the listing or provide any further details about the car, additional photos, etc.
Thank you again!