For sale: a £50K Ford Cortina, most definitely raced and rallied
Dan Trent writes:
What with all the focus on new cars over the last few days here’s an old one, just to make a change. And what a car it is too! An ex-Jim Clark Lotus Cortina it’s yours for a hefty £50K. And, OK, if you believe everything you read in classic car ads you could be forgiven for thinking Jim Clark drove each and every Lotus Cortina ever made - the price adjusted accordingly with some genuine works cars making astonishing six-figure sums and costing even more than a Focus Econetic.
Given that the price of this one seems almost reasonable. But why the fuss over an old Ford?
Well, given that back in the day they were driven like this…
…and this…
…by legends like Jim Clark, Graham Hill and many others you begin to understand why the Lotus Cortina is such a hero car. And I was lucky enough to get a go with one last year, this example belonging to the Ford heritage collection. So, yes, there’s a good chance Jim Clark may actually have driven this one too!
Given its value and age I was initially cautious with the old thing. But the car’s character - and the refreshingly down to earth attitude of its caretakers at Ford - meant my confidence grew quickly and before long every roundabout was taken with squealing tyres and the steering wheel held dead ahead. Sounds like a hack’s cliche but you really do steer cars like this with the accelerator and exploring this was so much fun. 
By modern standards it isn’t quick. But the Lotus/Ford provenance, the signature livery, the fact it’s such fun to drive and the connection with the likes of Clark - whether or not he actually drove/owned/once stood next to the car in question - means it’ll always be a legend.
Trouble is there are plenty of people who share the same view, many of them with rather more money than me! And I even liked the colour…
Dan
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Links:
Ford Focus price (jaw) drop
Lotus Cortina for sale, one careful owner
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Posted: March 4th, 2010 under On the Road.
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