1966 Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.I

A genuine log-booked and period correct Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.I prepared for competitive Stage Rallying of which it has enjoyed countless success in the hands of its enthusiastic owner for more than two decades.

This is a Pat Johnson Motorsport prepared entrant built to effectively campaign in the most gruelling of International Stage rallying, starting in 1994 with the ‘1000 Lakes’ in Finland.

The standard required meant the original shell was found to be unsatisfactory for extensive reinforcement so a replacement shell was sourced, descaled, strengthened and converted to 1966 Airflow configuration before being married to our car.

‘293 YLG’ is accompanied by FIA Historic Vehicle Identity Form, dated 1994, confirming ‘Period F, Original’ status, and also it’s RAC MSA Log Book, numbered 15215.

In 2017, this car was treated to a rebuild and repainted by Stamford Bridge Motors, North Yorkshire, with all sub-standard parts being replaced.

Specification:

Engine:  Built by QED to 1558cc plus 40 thou;

Rally cams on a Big Valve gas-flowed head.  Claimed 167bhp;

The engine was set-up by Motoscope;

Tony Law big-bore exhaust system;

Gearbox:  Ford 2000E with improved internals;

Rear axle:  Reinforced with modified large half-shaft bearings, ratio 3.77 for touring events;

Roll Cage:  Safety Devices Q.11;

Front Suspension:  Front wedged struts with Koni internal unit in a special casing;

Springs:  Forest poundage set high for forest stages;

Front Anti Rollbar:  Adjustable for the castor angle;

Rear Suspension: Lotus 3 leaf springs set for Stage Rallying Adjustable Koni shock absorbers;

Fuel Tank:  Internal by Ralloy 11 gallon capacity;

Brakes:  16P callipers, Mintex 1144 pads;

Rear Shoes VG 95 Linings;

Hydraulic Handbrake;

Servo Assisted with extra-large ratio of 2.5

Rally Instrumentation:  Halda Tripmaster, Brantz Rallytimer;

Internal lights;

Shortwave radio.

 

Competition History, 1994 – Date, Current Ownership:

1994 – 1000 Lakes Rally, Finland, 2nd in Class.

1995 – Jim Clark Forest Stages, 2nd in Class.

1995 – Illuminations, 6th Overall.

1997 – KallKwik Forest, 1st Overall.

1997 – RSAC Scottish, 1st in Class.

1997 – RAC.

1997 – Year of Victories.

1998 – Silverstone Rallysprint, 2nd in Class.

1998 – Malton Dalby Stages, 1st in Class.

1999 – Riponian, gearbox failure.

1999 – Dalby Gravel Stages, 1st in Class.

2000 – KallKwik, 1st in Class.

2000 – Caledonian 500, 10th Overall.

2000 – Trackrod Stages, 1st in Class.

2003 – Ilkley Jubilee, 1st on Tests.

2004 – Trackrod Stages, 5th Overall.

2004 – Roger Albert Clark, 1st in Class to last stage. DNF.

2007 – Roger Albert Clark, 2nd in Class.

2008 – Trackrod Stages, 2nd in Class.

2011 – Roger Albert Clark, 7th Overall.

Onward – ‘293 YLG’ has only been used for Touring events since.

 

Vehicle Description

Specifications

Registration: 293 YLG
Chassis Number: BA74EK59740
Engine Number: LP3846L1BA
Number of cylinders: 4
CC: 1558cc
Year of Manufacture: 1966
Mileage: 4,996