PH Carpool: Ford Escort Cosworth and Lotus Cortina
Two of the greatest fast Fords, one very proud owner...
Car:Ford Escort RS Cosworth & Mk1 Lotus Cortina
Owned since: Cosworth since 2010 & Lotus since 2011
Previously owned: Aston Martin DB7, BMW M3 (E30, E36 & E46), Mondeo ST220, Audi S3
Why I bought it:
Iain's 'usable' fast Ford...
I also used to pass the old South Front Hendy Ford dealership on my way to college as a cash-strapped teenager when they always had at least five gleaming Escort Cossies on the forecourt. It always made me think: one day I will have one!
The Lotus Cortina is a dream come true. There is something incredibly beautiful about the car, not just the instantly recognisable green stripe, but its whole aura. Their rocketing values made me think I would never afford one, but this car came up for sale locally and I had to have it...
What I wish I’d known:
...whilst Cortina is saved for special occassions
I can recommend to anyone the expert knowledge on escortcosworth.com. The knowledge on the forum is second to none with a great social scene, group buys and sharing of information.
The Lotus was such a distant dream that when MBP818D came up for sale, I didn’t have time for much research. But the Lotus Cortina Owners Club were happy to help with my questions. The spirited test drive given to me by Ian Donaldson of Oakfields will never leave my memory!
Things I love:
Whenever I drive the Cosworth, you can see other road users and pedestrians mouth the word 'Cossie'; the whale tail is instantly recogised by anyone who knows about cars. The aggressive, wide-boy nature of the car and its presence is like nothing else. And even though its 18 years old, it’s still a cult car.
RS Cosworth a teenage dream come true for Iain
Things I hate:
The only thing I hate about these cars is having to choose which one stays in my garage at home and which one goes into storage a few miles up the road. To be fair, it’s a very nice problem to have!
Costs:
Generally speaking the costs aren’t too bad. Need 2 Insure (run by fellow Cosworth Owner Paul Bostrom) helped me source the very best classic car insurance with agreed valuations, while another Cosworth owner and friend of mine Darren at Milford Motors oversees servicing & MoTs.
Where I’ve been:
Cortina apparently too good a deal to pass up
The Lotus doesn’t tend to go too far; she is nearly 46 years old now. It usually has a run around my local town & the odd run down to Goodwood, but that's about it, really.
What next?
I could not bear to sell either of my cars. I have waited too long to experience them and both have lived up to my expectations. They say you should never meet your heroes, but I would beg to differ...
I’m also privileged to own a 1973 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow & 1929 Austin 12/4, which completes my car collection so far – PistonHeads readers will surely understand, even if the wife doesn’t!
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
