- Auctions
- The Iconic Sale at Race Retro 2026 - Competition Cars
- 1963 Lotus Cortina Mk1 (FIA) Replica
1963 Lotus Cortina Mk1 (FIA) Replica
Lot Number: 643
1963 Lotus Cortina Mk1 (FIA) Replica
Superbly built, with John Smirthwaite motivation, this very capable, road-registered historic race car has all-important FIA papers offering huge potential and remarkable value.
- ESTIMATE: £30,000 - £35,000
+ buyer's premium of 12.5% plus VAT (15% incl VAT)
You can choose to bid in the room, by phone, online or via commission.
LIVE AUCTION: This lot will be auctioned on Saturday 21st February, 2026 at 10.30am local time at Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry, CV8 2LG
-
BODY COLOUR
Ermine White / Sherwood Green -
DRIVE
RHD -
REG NUMBER
PAG 447A -
ODOMETER READING
47300 Miles
SUMMARY
Superbly built, with John Smirthwaite motivation, this very capable, road-registered historic race car has all-important FIA papers offering huge potential and remarkable value.
DESCRIPTION
The Lotus Cortina's serendipitous arrival resulted directly from Ford's decision to step up their motorsport involvement in the early 1960s. Their Head of UK Public Relations, Walter Hayes, spoke to Colin Chapman asking him to come up with a competitive saloon, using their mainstream Cortina as a base, that could be produced in sufficient numbers to satisfy the mandatory 'Group 2' homologation requirements and with which the Blue Oval could beat all-comers. The solution was to take Ford's bullet-proof 1500 Kent engine, take it out to 1,588cc, fit a Twin-Cam cylinder head, pop it into a stiffened Cortina shell, sort out the suspension and brakes, paint a green stripe down the side and the Type 28 had arrived. The cars would be built by Lotus at its plant in Cheshunt and marketed through their dealer network as the Ford Cortina Lotus. Once fully developed, Lotus Cortinas (as they quickly became known) absolutely shone on track as they have continued to do for the last 60 years.
The car presented here is a 1963 Lotus Cortina Mk1 (FIA) replica race car built by renowned specialist Steve Lancaster of Selby, who utilised a totally rust-free South African bodyshell, whilst adding an alloy bonnet, boot, doors and race-spec Perspex windows. The car was completed six years ago and ran a few laps of Donnington as part of its 'shake-down' testing.
It has FIA certification until the 31st December 2027 (see images attached of FIA/MSA Technical Passport), with the obligatory FIA-certified roll cage and alloy fuel tank. It features a full race-spec, all-steel JS Motorsport Ltd/John Smirthwaite of Warwickshire engine on 45DCOE carbs, with only running-in hours covered, a close-ratio gearbox, one piece prop-shaft, 4.7 LSD, heavy-duty half-shafts, competition-spec Gaz adjustable shock absorbers (front and rear), single leaf springs, uprated front coil springs, dual brakes, and Minilite wheels.
This very capable historic race car (which is road-registered and has all-important FIA papers) offers huge potential and superb value over and above a genuine example, which can be worth three times the lower estimate figure presented here, an opportunity not to be missed. We are informed that it is 'ready to go', but some recommissioning may be required.
SPECIFICATION
- Lot Number
- 643
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- CORTINA
- Registration Number
- PAG 447A
- Chassis Number
- 274C034057
- Engine Number
- E17932
- Transmission
- Manual
- Body Colour
- Ermine White / Sherwood Green
GALLERY
SPECIALIST
Joseph Watts
- Car Specialist
- 07779 082707
- joe@iconicauctioneers.com
For further information regarding this lot please contact Joseph.
Email JosephTelephone Joseph
WhatsApp Joseph
SEE IT IN ACTION
SEE IT IN ACTION
Please note all lots must be removed from the venue no later than 2pm on Monday 23rd February. Collections will be from 9am - 2pm. If you cannot collect yourself, please do get in touch with our transport partner, EM Rogers, who will be happy to help you.
Uplift by EM Rogers back to their storage facility in Northampton is £175 plus VAT for a standard sized vehicle and prices start from £275 plus VAT for larger vehicles. Storage will be charged at £12 plus VAT per day from the Monday for the first 14 days then £40 + vat per week from there on.
For oversized vehicles such as vans, transporters etc. please contact EM Rogers on +44 (0)1604 755511 or trafficdesk@emrogers.co.uk for a quote.
If you cannot collect, or do not let us know transport arrangements before noon on Monday 23rd February, we will send the car to EM Rogers on your behalf.
A classic car or motorcycle is a source of great pride and enjoyment but, whether your car or motorcycle is in storage or on the road, you’ll need a specialist insurance policy. We have partnered with Howden Insurance a leading insurance brokers with a team dedicated to classic cars and motorcycles. They cover a vast array of classic and vintage models and only work with insurers who provide a great service and share our passion for the classic motor industry.
For a personal classic car or classic motorcycle quote, visit:
www.howdeninsurance.co.uk/iconic-auctioneers
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