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3601966 Ford Lotus Cortina MkI Sports SaloonRegistration no. SEU 432DChassis no. BA74EK59827Engine no. LP4408LB-AFord’s 1960s profile-raising competition programme included recruitingLotus boss Colin Chapman to give the new Cortina a sporting makeover.Chapman’s brief was to develop a Group 2 competition version; Lotuswould then build the 1,000 cars required for homologation. Launchedin 1963, the Lotus Cortina - Cortina Lotus in Ford parlance - featuredthe Elan’s Ford-based, twin-overhead-camshaft, 1.6-litre engine in thetwo-door bodyshell. McPherson strut independent front suspensionwas retained, with revised spring and damper rates, while the rear leafsprings were replaced by coil-spring/damper units, axle location beingachieved by trailing arms and an ‘A’ bracket. The adoption of an alloydifferential casing proved a mixed blessing, the lightweight componentproving far less oil-tight than the original.Reversion to Ford’s standard leaf-sprung axle cured the problem. LotusCortinas dominated saloon racing’s 2-litre class, often challenging foroutright honours. Works cars were driven by Jim Clark, Graham Hill,Peter Arundell and Jackie Ickx, while Sir John Whitmore, driving an AlanMann-entered Lotus Cortina, was European Touring Car Champion in1965. After the axle change, the hitherto fragile Lotus Cortina proveda highly capable rally car, works driver Bengt Soderstrom winning theAcropolis and RAC rallies in 1966.This left-hand drive Lotus Cortina MkI was in the previous owner’spossession for eight years and prior to that had covered only 500 milesover a 14-year period while in a private collection in the USA. It hascovered only 36,878 miles to date. ‘SEU 432D’ is totally original evendown to the carpets, seats, headlining and all body panels, and has wonnumerous concours awards at Lotus Cortina Club shows.There are original Certificates of Title dating back to 1971 in the largehistory file, which also contains the original handbooks and paperworkrelating to all work carried out, including details of an engine rebuildundertaken by Anderson Racing in 2005 upon its arrival back in the UK.The car also benefits from a new set of tyres and is MoT’d to November2014. Finished in Ermine White with contrasting Sherwood Green stripeand black vinyl interior, this outstandingly original, award-winning LotusCortina is offered with dating certificate, current road fund licence andV5C registration document.£55,000 - 65,000€68,000 - 80,000270 | Goodwood festival of speed