Lotus Cortina
Ford Cortina Lotus
Years: 1963-1970 / Engine: 1557 cc straight-4 Twin ohc for Mk1, 1557 cc straight-4 Twin ohc for Mk2 / Wheelbase: 98 in (2,489 mm) for Mk1 & Mk2/ Length: 168 in (4,267 mm) for Mk1 & Mk2 / Width: 63 in (1,600 mm) for Mk1, 65.0 in (1650 mm) for Mk2 / Height: 54 in (1,372 mm) Mk1, 54.7 in (1,390 mm) / Units Sold: ~7,400
Produced in the U.K. between 1963 and 1970, the Ford Lotus Cortina or as most people knew it, the Lotus Cortina came about when Ford and Lotus decided to combine efforts to create a homologation special built to race in touring car events, Trans-Am, and stage rally. They wanted a small, high-powered sports saloon that could compete on track.
The story goes that Walter Hayes from Ford went to Colin Chapman after learning that Lotus put a Cosworth-tuned Ford 116E engine into an Elan. For the Cortina, Ford developed a new twin-cam engine with 1577 cc displacement. The result was the Ford Lotus Cortina, powered by a 110-horsepower 1.6-liter twin-cam inline-four, four-speed transmission, and suspension tuning from Lotus. With its light, stiff monocoque shell, MacPherson strut front suspension and highly tunable oversquare engine it was an instant success.
The Ford-Lotus Cortina was dominant in competition events, the peak being Jim Clark winning the British Saloon Car Championship in 1964. The production Lotus-Ford Cortina was sold through Ford dealers as ‘The Consul Cortina Sports Special’. Approximately 7,400 cars were made over its production life.
Pictures
Specs & Performance
| built at | England |
| price $ | $ 2,548 |
| engine | 4 Cyl. |
| valvetrain | DOHC |
| displacement | 1558 cc / 95.1 in³ |
| bore | 82.55 mm / 3.25 in |
| stroke | 72.6 mm / 2.86 in |
| compression | 9.5:1 |
| power | 78.3 kw / 105.0 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| specific output | 67.39 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 120.0 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 146.4 nm / 108.0 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm |
| driven wheels | Front Engine / RWD |
| front brakes | F Disc / R Drum |
| steering | Recirculating Ball |
| curb weight | 875 kg / 1930 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2499 mm / 98.4 in |
| front track | 1311 mm / 51.6 in |
| rear track | 1275 mm / 50.2 in |
| length | 4267 mm / 168.0 in |
| width | 1588 mm / 62.5 in |
| height | 1369 mm / 53.9 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 2.50:1, 1.64:1, 1.23:1, 1.00:1 |
| top speed | ~170.6 kph / 106.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~10.5 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~38.1 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~17.5 seconds |
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