LOTUS CORTINA

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30045, 1 February 1963, Page 7

LOTUS CORTINA

J OTUS and Ford have combined to produce a very potent version of the Consul Cortina, described by Ford as the Consul Cortina Sports Special, and known generally a* the Lotus Cortina.

The Lotus Cortina is said to have a top speed of nearly 110 miles an hour, and 0 to 100 m.ph. acceleration time is given as 30 seconds. The rosd version, which is to be on sale from Ford dealers in Britain, produces 105 b.h.p. A racing version producing 145 b-h.p. will be raced by Team Lotus.

The car is slightly different in appearance from the

normal Cortina, having a flash down the side and a different arrangement of grille and bumper. The solid axle rear suspension has been modified by the employment of coil springs and trailing arms, and alloys are widely used to lighten the car. Disc brakes are fitted at the front and drums at the rear, both being boosted by a servo. Large section tyres and rims are fitted.

The front suspension has harder settings and is slightly lowered. A 15 inch woodrimmed steering wheel is fitted.

The Ford 1500 c.c. engine is used, bored out to nearly 1000 c.c. Special pistons are fitted, but the major alteration is in the use of a special cylinder heed with an overhead camshaft layout Twin Weber carburettors are used and the exhaust system is modified. The Cortina gearbox is used with some minor alterations to the ratio spacing Interior changes include special front seats and a central console. Instruments include a rev. counter, 140 rn.p.h. speedometer and gauges for fuel, oil and water.

The Lotus Cortina retains the Cortina’s carrying capacity for four persons and a considerable amount of luggage. Al present the cars will be sold only in Britain, but it is expected they will be exported in the future. The price in Britain is £llOO. The announcement of the car is a new departure for Ford, a firm which until now has shunned high-perform-ance models, although Ford engines have proved very successful in both Formula Junior and saloon events. The 1200 c.c. Cortina has already proved a great success oversees, nearly 70.000 cars being sold in the three and a half months since the car was announced. The recently announced Cortina 1500 (fitted with the 1500 c.c. Classic Motor) and the Cortina 1500 Super (a luxury version) are expected to attract even more sales, and

heavy orders are also expected for the Lotus Cortina.