That “inside front wheel in the air” was a function of stiff front springs and soft rear ones, which seemed to work
Ford’s 1960s profile-raising competition program included recruiting Lotus boss Colin Chapman to give the new Cortina a sporting makeover. Chapman’s brief was to develop a Group 2 competition version; Lotus would then build the 1,000 cars required for homologation.
Launched in 1963, the Lotus Cortina featured the Elan’s Ford-based, DOHC, 1.6-liter engine in the two-door bodyshell. Lotus Cortinas dominated saloon racing’s 2-liter class, often challenging for outright honors. Works cars were driven by Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Peter Arundell, and Jackie Ickx, while Sir John Whitmore, driving an Alan Mann-entered Lotus Cortina, was European Touring Car champion in 1965.
The 1965 Lotus Cortina Mk I Saloon offered here is one of the original Works racing saloons campaigned during the mid-1960s by legendary Formula One World Champion Jim Clark, while touring car champions Sir John Whitmore and Jack Sears also competed in this same car. It was raced by the Works-backed Team Lotus during 1965 and comes with its factory record card recording events entered, dates, drivers, engines fitted, failures, and comments. During 1965, the car was used in the British saloon car championship, being driven by Jack Sears at Goodwood and Snetterton (twice), Jim Clark at Silverstone and Brands Hatch, and Sir John Whitmore at Oulton Park.
Offered with Swansea V5 registration document and letters of authentication from the Lotus Cortina Register, “JTW 498C” represents a unique opportunity to acquire an historic racing saloon associated with three great motor racing champions, including the legendary Jim Clark.