Become a Member: Get Ad-Free Access to All Our Content
1964 Lotus Cortina

1964 Lotus Cortina

1964 Lotus Cortina

Lotus Cortina

Ford Cortina Lotus

Years: 1963-1970 / Engine: 1557 cc straight-4 Twin ohc for Mk1, 1557 cc straight-4 Twin ohc for Mk2 / Wheelbase: 98 in (2,489 mm) for Mk1 & Mk2/ Length: 168 in (4,267 mm) for Mk1 & Mk2 / Width: 63 in (1,600 mm) for Mk1, 65.0 in (1650 mm) for Mk2 / Height: 54 in (1,372 mm) Mk1, 54.7 in (1,390 mm) / Units Sold: ~7,400

Produced in the U.K. between 1963 and 1970, the Ford Lotus Cortina or as most people knew it, the Lotus Cortina came about when Ford and Lotus decided to combine efforts to create a homologation special built to race in touring car events, Trans-Am, and stage rally. They wanted a small, high-powered sports saloon that could compete on track.

The story goes that Walter Hayes from Ford went to Colin Chapman after learning that Lotus put a Cosworth-tuned Ford 116E engine into an Elan. For the Cortina, Ford developed a new twin-cam engine with 1577 cc displacement. The result was the Ford Lotus Cortina, powered by a 110-horsepower 1.6-liter twin-cam inline-four, four-speed transmission, and suspension tuning from Lotus. With its light, stiff monocoque shell, MacPherson strut front suspension and highly tunable oversquare engine it was an instant success.

The Ford-Lotus Cortina was dominant in competition events, the peak being Jim Clark winning the British Saloon Car Championship in 1964. The production Lotus-Ford Cortina was sold through Ford dealers as ‘The Consul Cortina Sports Special’. Approximately 7,400 cars were made over its production life.

Pictures

Specs & Performance

   
built at England
price $ $ 2,548
engine 4 Cyl.
valvetrain DOHC
displacement 1558 cc / 95.1 in³
bore 82.55 mm / 3.25 in
stroke 72.6 mm / 2.86 in
compression 9.5:1
power 78.3 kw / 105.0 bhp @ 5500 rpm
specific output 67.39 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 120.0 bhp per tonne
torque 146.4 nm / 108.0 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm
driven wheels Front Engine / RWD
front brakes F Disc / R Drum
steering Recirculating Ball
curb weight 875 kg / 1930 lbs
wheelbase 2499 mm / 98.4 in
front track 1311 mm / 51.6 in
rear track 1275 mm / 50.2 in
length 4267 mm / 168.0 in
width 1588 mm / 62.5 in
height 1369 mm / 53.9 in
transmission 4-Speed Manual
gear ratios 2.50:1, 1.64:1, 1.23:1, 1.00:1
top speed ~170.6 kph / 106.0 mph
0 – 60 mph ~10.5 seconds
0 – 100 mph ~38.1 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile ~17.5 seconds