Background –
In 1961, Colin Chapman was commissioned by Harry Mundy to design a twin-cam version of the Ford Kent engine and its first appearance was at the Nürburgring in a Lotus 23 driven by Jim Clark. Soon after, the engine appeared in the Lotus Elan. During the engine’s development, Walter Hayes at Ford asked Colin Chapman to fit the twin-cam into 1,000 Ford saloons for ‘Group 2’ racing homologation. Chapman accepted the contract and the Type 28, or Lotus Cortina as it became known, was born. Whilst Ford supplied the two-door body shells and took care of the marketing, Lotus engineered the mechanical and cosmetic changes which included the 1,558cc engine along with the Elan’s close-ratio gearbox, front quarter bumpers and Lotus badges. They also made changes to the interior with a new centre console to accommodate the revised gear lever position, different seats and a later styled dashboard that incorporated a tachometer, odometer, oil pressure, water temperature and fuel gauges. A wood-rimmed steering wheel was the finishing touch. Once fully developed, Lotus Cortinas (as they quickly became known) absolutely shone on track, as they have done for the last 60 years.
This example –
This right-hand drive, two-door Cortina was professionally built approximately 20 years ago as an FIA-specification race car by historic touring car specialist Rae Davis. Reputedly starting life as an A-frame car, it was later converted to an ‘Aeroflow’ spec car with leaf springs. The current FIA Historic Technical Passport was issued in 2015 and this car has been a front-runner on European circuits, by its current and former custodians. The Cortina was raced at Goodwood by F1 driver Karun Chandhok before passing into the hands of Ralph and Andrew Haddon. Run for them by the gurus at Valley Motorsport, the car was later purchased by Mark Martin (via Martin Stretton) and entrusted to David Lampit of Foscombe Engineering. He put the car on a diet, upgraded the steering box and lowered the centre of gravity somewhat by installing the fuel tank below the boot floor. Mark went on to have much success across Europe competing in Masters pre-66 Touring Cars, finishing in the top 10 on many occasions. He also raced the car at the 2018 Goodwood Members Meeting, finishing 21st overall against a plethora of professional drivers. Despite sharing a stable with his Hesketh Formula One car, Mark states that this was always his favourite car to drive and by far the most rewarding. Following his complete retirement from motorsport, our vendor purchased the car and has used it sparingly over the past few years, alongside his Grand Prix machinery. The engine is MSA sealed and was rebuilt by Neil Brown Engineering and the car has been run most recently by the team at ERA Motorsport. Whilst the FIA HTP lapses at the end of 2025, the car is correct and fully-legal so we are confident it should sail through its next application. Safety equipment, including lightweight racing bucket seat all in-date.
Eligibility –
MRL / HRDC / Masters / Peter Auto / Goodwood (by invitation)
Spares –
One set of wheels, with tyres
Two differentials
Odyssey ‘Extreme’ battery
Selection of coil springs
This car is located at our Cheshire showrooms and can be viewed by appointment.
