1963 Ford Lotus Cortina Mk1 ‘Pre-Airflow A Frame'
Highlights
- Charming 1963 Mk1 "Pre-Airflow" model with patented Lotus "A Frame" articulated axle.
- One of around thirty left-hand drive cars produced, compared with around 1,000 right-hand drive cars
- Extensively restored with a number of authenticity-enhancing upgrades
- Never raced/rallyed according to the seller; no signs of accidental damage or corrosion
- Original colours: Herminie White and Sherwood Green with red interior, wheels, hubcaps and Dunlop Racing 5.25M/13 C R 65 tyres
- Only two registered owners: in the hands of the same owner since 1983
The most
We are delighted to present a truly exceptional car. Ford sports car enthusiasts will recognise this Mk1 Cortina, the very first in the Lotus series, as a 'Pre-Airflow' version with 'A Frame' articulated axle. The term 'Pre-Airflow' refers to the absence of the through-ventilation introduced in October 1964, while 'A Frame' refers to the complex (and extremely effective) rear suspension developed by Lotus and fitted to the early models.
We are told that this is one of the rare left-hand drive examples, sold new in Greece in the two-tone combination of Herminie White and Sherwood Green, complemented by a red interior. Remaining in remarkably original condition, this car has benefited from a thorough restoration and has been slightly modified to enhance driving pleasure. This is probably one of the most attractive vintage Ford models on the market today.
History and Documents
- Only two registered owners
- Delivered new in Greece in 1963, purchased in 1983 by the current owner
- Kept in a dry, secure garage in both Greece and France
- Accident and corrosion free; never raced or rallied; original builder's plates present
- 42,000 miles (67,600 km) on the odometer, which the vendor guarantees to be accurate
- Restored by a professional, Mr Paul Julien of Ets NASCAR in 2010, completed in 2014
- The catastrophic floods in Cannes in October 2015 destroyed everything in the owner's business premises; the Greek registration certificate, the transfer certificate, and the photographs of the restoration disappeared, but fortunately, the car was safe at Mr. Paul Julien's premises in Rueil-Malmaison 92000 and did not suffer any damage
Condition
- Offered in superb condition thanks to a very high quality restoration
- Presents beautifully inside, out and under the bonnet
- Original colour scheme respected
- Kept in a dry garage and used in good weather since its restoration
- Original wheels and hubcaps
- Vintage Dunlop 5.25M/13 CR 65 racing tyres
Thanks to a meticulous restoration, this Cortina appears to be in almost identical condition to the original, right down to the small details such as the factory specification wheels and tyres. The photographs show the car in excellent condition throughout, and the seller assures us that this is a remarkable example.
Restoration work would have included:
- Complete dismantling of the car (interior, boot, engine, transmission)
- Lotus steering wheel, new bucket seats and red interior
- Bodywork repainted in its original Herminie White and Sherwood Green colours
Mechanical
- 1.6-litre Lotus twin-cam four-cylinder engine
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- Lotus "A Frame" rear suspension
According to the vendor, the car has been used regularly since restoration and is in excellent working order with no known faults.
Mechanical specification and works include:
Engine:
- Completely rebuilt: Proven cylinder head, new valves, springs, bearings and camshaft.
- New pistons and piston rings, new connecting rod bearings
- Weber carburettors completely overhauled
- New clutch (disc, diaphragm and receiver), all balanced
- Fully overhauled original close-ratio gearbox with new synchros, bearings and seals
- Water cooler rebuilt with addition of an automatic electric fan
- Original manifold and new side exhaust
Brakes :
- Twin tandem master cylinders fitted
- New front brake calipers and pads
- New rear calipers and pads
Restoration work :
- Front and rear axles and frame completely rebuilt with new original parts
- All axle, frame and wheel components sandblasted and painted in black epoxy
- MacPherson front braces fitted and approved by Ford and the FIA
- Adjustable KONI shock absorbers at the front and gas shock absorbers at the rear with adjustable height
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to Car & Classic's terms and conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller, which means that consumer rights arising from European consumer protection legislation do not apply. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic's terms and conditions.
✓ We require a non-refundable fee to be paid if you are the lucky winner of the auction or if your bid is accepted. Please refer to our FAQs and terms and conditions for specific fees.
✓ This vehicle is "sold as is", on an "as is, where is" basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and it is customary to carry out a full vehicle inspection prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final offer or tender price, as specified in the advert.
✓ We want the transaction to go as smoothly as you do, which is why UK-registered cars and motorbikes offered for sale on Car & Classic are HPI-checked to ensure they have no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and are not financially pledged, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are registered as written off as part of a total loss at the time the advert is placed on Car & Classic and provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) to help you. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the status of the vehicle and it is always worth carrying out a full vehicle history check before making an offer on it.
✓ Buyers are responsible for the collection or delivery of the vehicle. Importing vehicles may incur additional customs duties and import taxes. If you wish, we can recommend a third party transport company who can assist you. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected].
Vehicle specification
- Year 1963
- Make Ford
- Model Cortina
- Colour White
- Odometer 42,036 Miles
- Engine size 1600
Listing Details
- Seller type Private
- Town Paris
- Location International
- Country France
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