1965 FORD CORTINA

A rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully presented and highly correct 1965 Lotus Cortina Mk1, offered in exceptional mechanical and historical order.

This particular example was produced at a fascinating point in the model’s evolution, during the transition from the early "bracket" rear suspension to the later Aeroflow leaf spring arrangement. As such, it represents a factory-correct specification from this short-lived and much-discussed period of production—an appealing detail for the knowledgeable Lotus Cortina enthusiast.

Exported to France in 1998, the car was the subject of a comprehensive restoration during its time there, returning it to a highly attractive and authentic condition. It remained in long-term ownership until recently, when it was acquired from the late owner’s estate and subsequently repatriated to the United Kingdom in 2025. Pleasingly, the car has been correctly re-registered on its original number, as supplied when new.

Importantly, this Lotus Cortina remains a matching-numbers example, further enhancing its desirability among collectors. More recently, it has benefitted from a thorough mechanical refresh, including fluid changes throughout, new engine mounts, and a complete suspension overhaul with replacement of all perished bushes—ensuring the car drives as well as it presents.

Accompanying the car is its original buff logbook, along with a photographic record of its restoration, providing valuable insight into the care and attention it has received over the years.

Combining period correctness, documented history, and recent mechanical attention, this Lotus Cortina Mk1 represents a compelling opportunity to acquire one of Ford and Lotus’s most iconic collaborations in eminently usable condition.