Description
Ford Cortina Lotus Mk2: Family Owned 49 Years/ Unique Story
The Ford Cortina, built in various guises between 1962/ 82, was the UK’s best-selling car of the 1970’s with the second incarnation (Mk2) designed by in-house engineer Roy Hayes in production between 1967/ 71.
The top-of-the-range Cortina Lotus was produced between 1963 and 1970 by Ford in collaboration with Lotus Cars. Production of the Mk2 switched to the Dagenham factory and although the car didn’t enjoy the same competition success it proved very popular with the press & public alike.
At Milestones we have gained an enviable reputation for marketing not only outstanding cars but also those that have been improved by their custodians to meet personal preferences. Recent examples include the AC Special, MG Midget and Frogeye Sprite.
History:
Our Cortina was registered on 6th April 1970 by the Ford Motor Company and retained until 1972. The car registration number is GWC 657H is the same ‘GWC’ series as the 1600E’s supplied to the England World Cup Football Team during that year.
In 1972 the car was sold by the factory to Bryan Crane who had the Lotus engine rebuilt and modified to increase output to 140bhp. The car was originally painted in Ford Silver Fox but by 1973 this was flaking off the car (my 1600E was exactly the same) and Bryan decided to respray his Cortina Lotus in black with gold Lotus side stripes to reflect the JPS Formula One colour scheme (The VE60 was updated in November 1973).
In 1974 Bryan used his Cortina Lotus to follow the Lotus JPS F1 team around Europe clocking up around 20k miles in a year. There is still a Lotus sticker inside the boot lid. additional map pocket on the driver’s door and an ambient temperature gauge on the dashboard.
In April 1975 the car was sold briefly to Robert Parker and in August 1975 to the current owner, Ray Pattenden for the princely sum of £550. Used as a daily driver Ray sold the car to his father Charles in 1976. The car was stored in his garage until 2019 – the 1976 tax disc is still on the windscreen!
Recommissioning the Lotus Cortina:
Ray took the decision to re-commission the car in February 2019.
Bodywork:
The Cortina survived storage remarkably well. All panels are original and to Cortina Lotus specification. The three areas of remedial work required were minor repairs to the top/ rear corners of each front wing (not helped by the original foam sound proofing that was still in place) and attention to the o/ s/ rear wheel arch. The VIN is still stamped into the O/ S/ Front suspension mounting point.
After much consideration Ray decided to retain the black/ gold colour scheme. All glass was removed, paint stripped to bare metal, and, after thorough preparation, the car was resprayed in her JPS livery. The final result is stunning.
Mechanical:
Engine:
This had not been drained of coolant when the car had gone into storage and unfortunately that had caused damage/ corrosion.
Initially good progress was made on rebuilding the original Lotus engine but due to ill health the work stalled. Essentially the engine was completely stripped and rebuilt by Sussex Engines at a cost of +£4, 000. Today the original engine remains with the car and everything awaits re-assembly and installation if/ when required
Because of the delay and the frustrations experienced with the original Lotus engine 45 years earlier Ray decided to look at other options to make the car more usable/ fun.
After careful consideration the Zetec conversion was the route chosen (new engine, crossmember, engine mounts. all ancillaries) giving better performance and reliability while the precious original engine remained unworn and ready to re-fit as required in the future.
This has proven to be a great success - a twin-cam ford that sounds right, drives right and is incredibly easy to live with and will give approximately 30% additional power (around 160bhp) once run-in.
Gearbox:
Rebuilt by Bexhill Gearboxes
Suspension/ Brakes/ Wheels:
The car was fitted with uprated rear gas shocks, new front strut inserts, new discs/ callipers/ pads, new rear wheel cylinders/ shoes/ drums, a reconditioned servo and new master cylinder were also fitted. All flexi hoses/ pipes were replaced and new track control arms and track rod ends fitted.
Interior:
All original apart from replacement carpets, seatbelts (for safety) and new front screen. Even the original radio works!
History:
The history folder contains an original VE60 (logbook), old MOT’s, Sales Receipt from 1975, original Owner’s Manual and extremely Lotus supplement, lots (and lots) of invoices.
The restoration took over three years to complete and the result is a real credit to Ray. The car drives brilliantly, is structurally outstanding with all the Lotus modifications in place (including the rolled front wings) and the interior is 90% original.
The Zetec overhead cam engine is brilliant but will divide opinion. The original (rebuilt) Lotus (matching numbers) engine, cross member etc. is still with the car and could be retrofitted as and when required.
A rare opportunity to purchase a remarkable car.
