1963 FORD CORTINA

This 1963 Ford Lotus Cortina MK1 Recreation is currently in a 2-week auction on our website. This is our guide price, i.e. what we think the car is worth in the current market, however, the reserve will be lower. You can read much more about the car, see of hundreds of detailed photos and videos of it, and ask the seller any questions on our website: we can't add links on this platform, so please search for "Trade Classics" on Google.

⭕ VEHICLE SUMMARY

An iconic British sports saloon combining lightweight agility with race-proven twin-cam power.

The Lotus Cortina revolutionised the automotive landscape by creating the template for the modern sports saloon. Championed by Ford’s Walter Hayes and Colin Chapman, the project transformed a modest two-door family car into a dominant competition machine. By fusing motorsport engineering with everyday practical utility, it laid the groundwork for future icons like the BMW M3 and Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. Its spectacular track success in the hands of legendary drivers like Jim Clark captured the public imagination and forever elevated the appeal of high-performance road saloons.

Beneath the iconic Ermine White and Sherwood Green exterior lay a deeply considered mechanical overhaul. At its heart was the celebrated 1558cc Lotus Twin Cam engine, built around a Ford 116E block with a bespoke dual-overhead-cam cylinder head and twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors. Power was routed through a close-ratio four-speed gearbox to an upgraded rear axle. Up front, shortened struts and forged control arms provided sharp turn-in, while the specialised rear suspension setup delivered exceptional road holding and track agility.

Decades after its introduction, the Mk1 Lotus Cortina remains an undisputed icon of British motoring heritage. Original examples are highly coveted by collectors worldwide, commanding impressive values and prime placement at prestigious historic events. Its reputation for raw driving engagement, mechanical purity, and unmistakable style remains as strong today as ever. Whether viewed as an unbeatable historic racer or a celebrated road car, the Lotus Cortina stands as a lasting monument to Colin Chapman’s philosophy of performance through light weight and engineering ingenuity.

First registered in 1963 as a two-door Deluxe, this car has undergone an extensive conversion to full Lotus Cortina specification. Built with meticulous attention to detail during an undocumented restoration, it faithfully retains the authentic character, mechanical setup, and aesthetic of the original Mk1. The finished car is not merely a tribute to an iconic model, but presents, drives, and finishes to an exceptional standard. Offered with a fresh MOT valid through March 2027, it represents a remarkable opportunity to acquire a legendary British sports saloon at a fraction of the cost of an original.

⭕ VEHICLE DETAIL

We've written a longer and more detailed description of this vehicle on our website, which will answer all of your burning questions. To see the car on our site then just search for us, Trade Classics, on Google.

⭕ BEFORE YOU CALL US

We love to talk about cars, but more than 90% of buyers' questions are answered in the full listings on our website: there you'll find a huge amount of detailed information about this car's history, condition, and specification - as well as hundreds of detailed photos and videos. Don't worry: if you still have a question, please just give us a call during office hours.

⭕ ABOUT US

Trade Classics is the most trusted auction house in the UK, with 4.9* on TrustPilot and thousands of happy buyers and sellers. Our mission is to provide the most honest and transparent listings available. By helping you avoid scammers, timewasters, and expensive platform fees, we make the process of buying and selling a car as pleasurable as driving it.

⭕ FINANCE AVAILABLE

Trade Classics Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative (IAR) of AFS Compliance Ltd which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm number 625035. Trade Classics Limited is a vehicle sales business with permission to introduce prospective finance clients to Revered Finance Limited who is also an AR of AFS Compliance Ltd and an independent asset finance brokerage not a lender. We are not independent financial advisors and are unable to provide you with independent financial advice. Trade Classics Limited and Revered Finance Limited will receive payment(s) or other benefit from the finance provider if you decide to enter into an agreement with them. We work with both discretionary and non-discretionary commission models. Commission payments are factored into the interest rate you pay.