An original Lotus Cortina works racing car once driven by legendary Formula 1 World Champion Jim Clark is among the star turns at auction during the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month.
Lotus Cortina has huge pedigree
Its pre-auction estimate runs at £200,000-£250,000 but it comes with huge motor racing pedigree.
As well as the F1 champion, the now fully restored Lotus Cortina Mk1 was also driven by touring car champions Sir John Whitmore and “Gentleman” Jack Sears as part of the 1965 Lotus works team.
Registered JTW 498C, it was raced with the 496C and 497C. It comes with its full factory record card itemising events entered, dates, drivers, engines fitted and failures. There are also includes comments from drivers and mechanics.
The log shows in 1965 the Cortina was driven by Sears at Goodwood and Snetterton. Clark drove it at Silverstone and Brands Hatch and Whitmore at Oulton Park.
Lotus Cortina has been fully restored and is race ready
When it’s race days were numbered it went into private ownership until finally undergoing a full restoration at one of the country’s leading Lotus Cortina specialists, Exway Coachworks of Exmouth in Devon.
Hundreds of man hours were lavished on the car. It benefited from a total body restoration and new seats, replicating those fitted during its racing career.
The original suspension and steering mods unique to this Lotus Cortina were retained. The engine underwent a total rebuild – costing £14,000 – bringing it back up to full race spec.
The Clark Lotus Cortina is among 100 classics on the catalogue for the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 13.
Two more Lotus Cortinas to go under the hammer
If you miss out on the big one, two more lovely Lotus Cortinas are going under the hammer at the same sale.
There’s a 1967 MkII driven by six times Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx valued at £100,000-£150,000. And next up is a 1965 Mk I finished in iconic Lotus works entry colours, value at £30,000-£40,000.
If you have missed out on a bargain at auction, there’s no need to miss out on a great insurance deal on your classic car.
