-/-
-/-
-/-
-/-
-/-
-/-
-/-
-/-
-/-
-/-
1967 Cortina Lotus Mk2 Series 1a
This Mk2 LoCort is particularly rare. First, it was built in the first month of production for the Mk2 Cortina Lotus versions (March 1967), so it has many holdover parts from the Mk1 LoCort including: 3-rail gearbox, Lotus on both banks of the valve covers, Lotus badges on rear quarter panels, plus rare gauge pod on the dash. All of these features went away in Fall 1967 with the Mk2 Series 1b version of the LoCort. Second, it's color is rare (Alpina Green) as most Cortina Lotus cars were Ermine White. Third, this is 1 of 33 Canadian export cars (LHD) and was never sold in the USA.
This rare car is a mechanically reconditioned driver (not a rotisserie show car) so that it can be enjoyed. It retains original factory items such as hang tags under the rear seat and rear trunk writing (shown in pictures)
The engine is better than new with "best of everything" parts by renown engine builder, Tony Ingram and producing an impressive 164hp
Gearbox (original): 3-rail 2000E (Mk1 type); freshly rebuilt everything inside the case: semi-close ratio gear cluster, with new synchro's, needle bearings, fork, seals, etc. Also replaced new driveshaft universal joints. Less than 100 miles on rebuild.
Engine (original): Mk1 type valve covers with Lotus on both banks, fresh Tony Ingram rebuild from 1558cc to 1700cc: Ford Racing crankshaft, new pistons/rings, ARP bolts, all new engine fasteners/gaskets, upgraded water pump front cover assembly (a weak point in original twin cam engines), rebuilt distributor, electric fuel pump (mechanical pump comes with car), lightened flywheel, new Lucas C40L generator, rebuilt starter (Pete Snyders). PD Gough (UK) original spec exhaust (built in UK), ceramic coating on original header, Braille battery. Less than 100 miles on rebuild.
Fusing: the Mk2 Series 1 cars were never fused, so I obtained an original fuse box (per later Mk2’s) and had the wiring correctly fused (see pictures). This was crazy expensive (80 hours @ $100/hr) as wiring diagrams for these early cars are not readily available.
* Suspension: all new/NOS parts from Rod Smith (Cortina Owner’s Club UK), including control arms, springs, bushings, track rod ends. I also had the hubs/bearings rebuilt, installed new rear shocks from Burton Power UK, and sent the front shocks out to Koni for inspection/rebuild. Thousands of dollars in labor was invested to disassemble, sandblast and paint the leaf springs, hubs, axles, etc.
* Brakes: rebuilt original calipers, new discs/pads; dual brake assist servos were sent to the UK for rebuild (Nigel @ Past Parts), plus new brake lines, new rear wheel cylinders/shoes installed (all parts from Dave Bean Engineering).
* Body: body sanded and checked for rust, exterior repaint to original Alpina Green; interior, engine compartment & boot area retain their original paint. All original glass with factory stamps.
* Interior: original seats (foam replaced), original carpet, original window glass, and dash gauge pod; upgrade GT steering wheel, Bakelite steering wheel (spare); rebuilt windshield wiper motor. Speedo & Tach rebuilt/calibrated (Oct 2018).
* Shock towers: clean/excellent, no rust!
* Wheels: rare 13" Dunlop wheels, plus a set of original 13 x 5.5" steel wheels