An Elegant Racer for a More Civilised Age: Lotus Cortina Mk1 For Sale
Images via William i’Anson
This Lotus Cortina Mk1 is a legend in historic racing circles, earning huge success in U2TC – a European series for pre-1966 under two-litre touring cars. It’s up for sale at William i’Anson.
The car is one of the earliest models of the Lotus Cortina Mk1s, known as a pre-airflow car. In 2007 it was restored to FIA racing specification by Bruce Stevens of Plan B Motorsport. At the completion of its restoration it went straight into historic racing, debuting at Paul Ricard in France.
Leo Voyazides raced the car with co-driver Simon Hadfield to great success over the following years, winning the U2TC Four Hour Challenge from 2010 to 2012.
In 2013 Voyazides hit oil during the Spa 6 Hours meeting, damaging the car. It was sent to Andy Wolfe of Wolfe Manufacturing along with a spare shell prepared at the time of the original restoration and the car was rebuilt for 2014.
Its most recent result is a second in the 2016 Brands Hatch HSCC Historic Superprix with Simon Hadfield driving. The combo that beat him? Voyazides in a Ford Falcon.
In March 2016 the Lotus Twin Cam was rebuilt by Ian Claridge of Anglian Engine Services and the car’s mechanicals have just 90 minutes on them since the rebuild. It breathes through a custom exhaust system and the car will be sold with a straight through pipe for events where the decibel meters and regulations allow it.
The car weighs in at under 750 kilograms, which means ballasting is installed to meet regulations. Lead plates are mounted in the passenger floor to balance the car and keep the weight as low as possible.
A spare set of Minilite-style aluminium wheels and Dunlop tyres are included, as is a spare gearbox and diff, straight through exhaust pipe and a full collection of running spares.
Featuring a fresh FIA Historic Technical Passport from July 2016 and exemplary race preparation, this Lotus Cortina Mk1 is an elegant historic racer from a more civilised age and it’s ready to race. For the full details head to the official William i’Anson website here.
Images via William i’Anson
