Ford Cortina Lotus 1967

This car has a very interesting history indeed, it is still has the Irish registration ‘OJZ 100’, which it wore when it was driven to third place overall in the Circuit of Ireland rally in 1967 by Charlie Gunn and Norman Henderson. The rally was won by the legendary Paddy Hopkirk in his works Mini Cooper S, but this Cortina won the Gallagher Trophy for privately entered cars. Given the history of this car, it comes as no surprise that it has been re-shelled at some point in its life, with some historical images showing the car with a few battle scars picked up on the Circuit of Ireland when the car must have been just a handful of days old. However, today it is a solid and correct 1966 leaf sprung shell with all the correct Lotus bits where they should be, such as double skin reinforcements over the rear axle, anti-tramp bars, boot hump and battery tray in the boot. Painted back as it was on the 1967 Circuit of Ireland with a satin black bonnet and wing tops. A new fuel tank, new window seals, new bumpers and new-old-stock bezels and lamps have been fitted. It has had new Lotus reverse eye rear leaf springs with cheese wedge correction blocks, front suspension components re-powder coated with new springs and adjustable shock inserts. Correct Lotus spec cast iron track control arms with all new bushes and brakes. Genuine Dunlop D1 wheels are also fitted. The Engine is an L Block Lotus twin-cam and was overhauled a few years ago with new bearings and piston rings as well as oil and water pumps. The gearbox is a later but stronger ‘2000E’ 4speed, which was stripped and checked, then fitted with single piece propshaft. A new aluminium radiator is fitted, which has been powder coated black to keep it looking period correct, along with a high flow electric cooling fan. A complete new exhaust system fitted. The interior has had a new headlining, period correct Cobra low-back bucket seats with three-point harnesses. This car is currently in the UK. Open to sensible offers!