Ford wasn’t taking any chances this time. The Lotus-Ford's success effectively killed the traditional Indy roadster and established a new design for American race cars. Modifications include Astrali wheels, dual Weber carburetors, and a finned Cosworth valve cover. ready to race.
September 1962 vorgestellt und in England bis 1966, in einigen anderen Ländern auch bis 1967 produziert. A.J. As a nonprofit, we need your support now more than ever. Lithe, rear-engine cars lit up Formula One circuits everywhere, while Indy remained tied to heavy front-engine roadsters not fundamentally changed in a decade. 1965 Lotus Cortina Mk1 This car is a genuine Lotus Cortina, restored to a competition specification by a prominent US Ford collector, who then raced it at many prestigious American historic events. The company had adapted its racing engine from the stock 260-cubic inch Fairlane Challenger V-8. Ford kicked off a “Total Performance” campaign that ultimately yielded wins in sports cars, stock cars, drag racers and rally cars. Between car and driver, America’s premier race took on a decidedly European look in 1965. Chassis made by Group Lotus in Hethel, England and designed by Colin Chapman. But the Indianapolis 500 could be the greatest prize of all. Results were encouraging, with Gurney averaging 150 miles per hour around the track. They recognized that young baby boomers craved excitement, and nothing added excitement to a car company like running—and winning—major races. It was an evolution of the previous Lotus 29 and Lotus 34 Indy designs, but this time with a full monocoque tub chassis; it was powered by the same four-cam Ford V8 fuel injected engine as used in the 34, giving out around 500 bhp. As if by fate, Gurney and Chapman showed up on Ford’s doorstep that July. They made their pitch, arguing that a light rear-engine car could take faster turns and, being more fuel-efficient and easier on tires, spend less time in the pits. Request for Ford Lotus Cortina (1965) | Vehicle-ID: 209195 . Chapman pulled him out of the race altogether on the 110th lap. THF74940 From its first running in 1911, the Indianapolis 500 has been the most prestigious automobile race in the United States. Retaining its original Lotus Cortina bodyshell, confirmed by Lotus Cortina Register. The restoration included fitting some original works Lotus Cortina parts, from Sir John Whitmore’s 1966 Trans-Am car (fuel tank, fuel filler, bonnet, bootlid and dashboard). Dan Gurney and Colin Chapman had the chassis, but no engine. But it was truly Clark’s race to lose. 1965. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. When he rolled under the checkered flag, Clark was almost two minutes ahead of his nearest competitor.It was a glorious moment. LOTUS POWERED BY FORD (painted on body)Use this Artifact Card to share this great find with others. By 1965 the Lotus Cortina was known as a highly competitive and race winning machine, greatly due to an increased reliability of its leaf spring rear end and hard front-end suspension.This fantastic example was built August 1965 by the Dagenham Lotus factory, one of the only 3,306 MKI Lotus Cortina’s to roll off the factory line between 1963-1966. Henry Ford attended the first two races, in 1911 and 1912, as a spectator. In fact, almost everyone now realized the merit in the rear-engine layout—27 of the 33 entries for 1965 had their engines in back. A “pushrod” engine has its camshaft in the engine block, and the camshaft opens and closes the valves by means of separate rods. We have specialist facilities to cater to your needs.Get in touch with DM Historics today if you have any questions about the services we offer or the cars we sell.