Description

1964 Ford Cortina Mk1 Lotus

Recently rebuilt car; interesting history; A-frame model

Like so many Lotus Cortinas, this car has led an eventful life.

There are plenty of gaps in BLT 935B's history, but we know it was first registered on 16th July 1964. It changed hands in 1991 and then again in April 2010, again in 2012 - entering the hands of the vendor in 2018.

It got its first set of MSA Historical Technical Passport papers in 2007, passing to its new owners Richard Dutton (of Fortec Motorsport) and Neil Brown in 2010. The photos showed that at this point it looked very much the racing car and had already been actively campaigned. Fortec's illustrious  history would suggest that it was highly competitive and extremely well-prepared!

They sold it to John Avill and David Matthews in 2012 - a string of results sheets from 2013 - 2015 showed an active race-life in the HSCC Historic Touring Cars series, generally finishing well up the grid at most of the circuits in the UK and some in Europe.

A photo online shows it racing at Silverstone Classic having had a considerable 'off' or some sort. We are not quite sure what happened, but it got extensively damaged during the race which meant the end of its racing career.

It was sold to the vendor in 2018 as a rebuild project based around a replacement bodyshell. Well versed in Lotus Cortinas, he set about rebuilding the car back into a road-going version. The shell had been modified to full A-frame spec, including the correct bracing - spare wheel position and small details such as the hole in the fire-wall for the throttle cable. He installed a complete new wiring loom, acquired a gearbox with 2.9:1 first gear ratio and made sure it carries a period-correct 3.77:1 diff.

The suspension has been polybushed and overhauled and an L-block twin-cam Lotus engine fitted which is reputed to have been built by John Wilcox, but there is no paperwork to substantiate whether or not this is the case.

It has had a new clutch, adjustable shocks, an electric fuel pump and electronic ignition fitted and runs an alternator rather than the original dynamo for added reliability. Brake and clutch hydraulics have also been replaced. Finally  - Speedy Cables have refurbished the clocks.

Known and recognised by the Lotus Cortina Register, the car carries a new VIN plate under the bonnet, but the original stamped plate is in the document file along with the V5C which lists the car as a Ford Cortina Mk1 Lotus.

For more information - contact Matthew Parkin 07813 936698 matthew.parkin@brightwells.com