LOT 125: 1965 Ford Cortina

Guide Price: £24,000 to £30,000

Mk1 Ford Lotus Cortina pre-Airflow re-creation offered for sale, with updated mechanicals completed about eight years ago. The car was built by the vendors friend of 60 years, and it has been made to look like a pre-Airflow Lotus in every respect, both inside and out. It was built on an excellent original and un-welded 1965 Cortina 1200 Super, Airflow shell, which to date has covered less than 52,000 miles from new, and all the panels are original, except the drivers side door skin.

The following is a basic list of work which has been done to the car, there is much more:-

2 Litre Zetec, now with less than 16,000 miles. Rolling road tested 2023 @160bhp.
1.8 litre solid Zetec flywheel modified for Pinto clutch. Mexico slave cylinder and Anglia bell-housing to convert box to hydraulic clutch.
Edis and Megajolt, MAF version. Triumph Thunderbird vacuum reservoir for pulse smoothing.
Original wiring harness modified and overhauled with new 8 way fuse box and extra relays.
Twin 40 Dellortos, with K&N air filters.
Piper stainless 4 branch manifold and full system.
Re-cored radiator with inlet moved to offside to suit the Zetec engine.
Electric radiator fan with control from temperature switch in the radiator.
Raceline water rail.
Ford Type 9 five speed box with quick shift, 3.89 differential, which is silent.
Floorpan double skinned at gearbox mounts.
Custom propshaft.
Full set Lotus gauges in a Lotus dashpanel, and Lotus centre console.
Butler map reading light.
Electric socket in the console glove box.
Leather Recaro front seats, copies of the original 1965 Recaros. New Aldrige Trimming carpets and door cards
Moto-lita steering wheel.
New headlining when everything was done.
Lotus/GT discs and pads, all brake lines and servo replaced.
Gaz adjustable coil overs at front, and Gaz adjustable rear shock absrbers.
Adjustable forged track control arms.
Double front anti-roll bar polybushed.
Capri 3litre single leaf rear springs polybushed.
9” Escort self adjustable rear drums.
Proper under dash umbrella hand brake.
Minilite type alloys.
Uprated headlamps.
Bosch battery in boot.
Fuel pump, master switch and Filter King fuel filter in the boot.
All glass seals renewed when the car was painted.
Painted top coat twice.

Body and wheel alignment check in December 2023

In all areas the car is in excellent condition. Body, paintwork, interior, and all mechanicals, are in excellent condition, and the whole car has been thoroughly Waxoyled to keep the bodyshell pristine The car drives extremely well, and in has recently completed a 325 mile journey with no problems. It is easily capable of cruising at 80 mph in comfort, and is happy to run on E10 petrol.

The car comes with its original green Log Book and later V5s, showing that it has had only four owners, the first for 41 years. There is an extensive history file of two large wallets, with receipts, wiring diagrams, instructions and information, a genuine Ford Consul Cortina Parts list, various workshop manuals. Since 2005 the car has been MoTd  fourteen timea, none of which show any advisories. The car currently has an MoT until September 2025.

The car comes with the registration 572 WAR. The letters AR are the registration letters for Hethel, where Mk1 Lotus Cortinas were built, and WAR was fitted to at least one of the press demonstrators.

A very special car in excellent condition, which gets attention wherever it goes.

Note: This description is provided by the vendor and unless otherwise stated is ‘Not Verified’ by Barons or any person employed by Barons. Prospective purchasers are advised to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any statements made, whether they be statements of fact or opinion.

Offered for sale by Barons Classic Car Auctioneers via a live online and attended auction at 1.00pm on Saturday 14th December at Barons, Unit 6, Harbour Close, Cracknore Industrial Park, Southampton SO40 4AF. Viewing from Monday 2nd December to Saturday 14th December. Office Hours are 9.00am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 023 8066 8413, Saturdays by appointment.