1967 Ford Cortina MKII (Lotus Cortina)
Vehicle details
1 of 33 Canadian Export cars - This Mk2 LoCort is particularly rare. First, it was built in the first month of production for the Mk2 Cortina Lotus versions (March 1967), so it has many holdover parts from the Mk1 LoCort including: 3-rail gearbox, Lotus on both banks of the valve covers, Lotus badges on rear quarter panels, plus rare gauge pod on the dash. All of these features went away in Fall 1967 with the Mk2 Series 1b version of the LoCort. Second, it's color is rare (Alpina Green) as most Cortina Lotus cars were Ermine White. Third, this is 1 of 33 Canadian export cars (LHD) and was never sold in the USA. Lastly, the Dunlop wheels are also rare options and the car also comes with a set of stock steel wheels.
I have a receipt file going back to 1977. Given that the receipts show 67,418 miles back in 1990 (69K miles currently) it is very possible that the odometer has not rolled over.
1967 was the final production year in which the Cortina Lotus was successfully raced. Both Jacky Ickx and Graham Hill raced Mk2 LoCort's at tracks such as Oulton Park before the Porsche 911 arrived to dominate the sedan class - thus, marking the end of an important era in racing history.
Gearbox (original): 3-rail 2000E (Mk1 type); freshly rebuilt everything inside the case: semi-close ratio gear cluster, with new synchro's, needle bearings, fork, seals, etc. Also replaced new driveshaft universal joints. Less than 100 miles on rebuild.
* Engine (original): Mk1 type valve covers with Lotus on both banks, fresh Tony Ingram rebuild from 1558cc to 1700cc: Ford Racing crankshaft, new pistons/rings, ARP bolts, all new engine fasteners/gaskets, upgraded water pump front cover assembly (a weak point in original twin cam engines), rebuilt distributor, electric fuel pump (mechanical pump comes with car), lightened flywheel, new Lucas C40L generator, rebuilt starter (Pete Snyders). PD Gough (UK) original spec exhaust (built in UK), ceramic coating on original header, Braille battery. Less than 100 miles on rebuild.