Mk 1 Lotus Cortina Replica

This phenomenally fabulous Mk 1 Lotus Cortina replica is an example of a vehicle that's actually better than it was ex-factory, with a finish and quality that could hardly have been conceived of when it was new.  Interestingly, the last time I made a similar comment about a car it was a magnificent MGA painted in the most beautiful light blue that had many so-called experts - including a couple of MG concours judges - making unfounded comments about the colour's originality and suggesting that it wasn't a kosher MGA hue.  

Everyone knows that all Mk 1 Lotus Cortinas are white (possibly more correctly described as cream) with green stripes, right?  Wrong!  Just like the MGA example above, there's a bit more to the story than is commonly 'understood.'  I thought I was a bit clever knowing that there were some done with blue stripes but this car's owner / builder, Eddie, soon put me right about the range of colours available.

Fact # 1:  About thirty Mk 1 Lotus Cortinas were built for the UK police, for use as pursuit cars.  They were white without stripes and featured a big emergency beacon bolted to the roof.

Fact # 2:  Thirteen Mk 1 Lotus Cortinas were produced in Monaco red, a colour favoured by rally ace Roger Clark, MBE, to whom this superb replica has been dedicated.  Lotus founder and the developer / designer of the Lotus Cortina, Colin Chapman, is said to have been displeased by the departure from the signature colour scheme.  However, it appears that Roger and the might of the Ford Works rally team were able to exert sufficient influence over Chapman to have the cars done in their preferred livery.

As a later edition, Eddie's Cortina runs the semi-elliptical rear leaf springs that replaced the short-lived, and apparently not very robust, 'A' frame set up of earlier versions.  In all respects, the car is completely faithful to the original, featuring a genuine1,557 cc Lotus twin cam with twin 45 mm Weber side drafts, a close ratio gear box and even the 'twist and release' style hand brake favoured by racing drivers of the time.  Its interior is spot-on for originality, too, with all the correct gauges, seats, centre console, etc.  The only non-standard features is Allan Moffatt's signature proudly displayed on the glovebox lid. 

To return to my earlier observation that Eddie's car is better than in new condition, it must be said that the team at Southern Smash Repairs, Kingston, have done an amazing job of the panels and paint.  Eddie reckons the underside is just as good, too.  The SSR team were so invested in their work that they convinced Eddie not to unbolt the bonnet to refit the engine, lest he damage the duco.  How did he reinstall it, then?  He actually reassembled the engine, gearbox and front subframe and lowered the car onto it, factory style.

All up, the build took six years with lots and lots of work sourcing original parts.  Whilst it is technically a replica, it would probably be fair to describe it as a re-bodied Lotus Cortina with the shell, in effect, the most generic 'part' of the car.  Either way, it is an absolutely stunning example of the marque and a great tribute to Roger Clark, the Ford Works rally team and Lotus Cortinas!

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

All iPhone images.