1967 Ford Lotus Cortina MkII Twin Cam

This is an early production MkII Lotus Cortina that went through a comprehensive restoration process, we're told between 2019 and 2022, and since that time it’s covered very few miles.

Its finished in the classic Lotus Cortina colours of Ermine White with a Sherwood Green stripe (just like all the MkIs). The interior is black vinyl, and the car comes with a large collection of images documenting the restoration in some detail. 

Chassis number BA91GT34321 was manufactured in 1967 and supplied new to the United Kingdom, being first registered on the 12th of September 1967. Little is known of the car’s early history, but the Cortina was bought by a previous owner in 2019 from Lotus Cortina specialists, Lotus Outlaws.

Lotus Outlaws had discovered the iconic car in a barn, where it had been stored for more than 20 years. Having searched for such a car, the previous owner bought this example because it was notably complete, and then embarked on providing PDA 888F with a comprehensive restoration. 

The car was completely stripped down, the bodyshell was sandblasted, new metalwork grafted in as required, and the shell prepared and painted in the iconic colour scheme of Ermine White with a Sherwood Green stripe.

Meanwhile, the engine was completely rebuilt with new pistons, a skimmed head, new timing chain and uprated fast road cams, while the gearbox, suspension and differential were all rebuilt at the same time. 

With the reconditioned running gear fitted to the Cortina, a new braking system was fitted, plus a complete stainless steel exhaust system. The original wheels were powder-coated and refurbished, with the interior completely renewed in black vinyl. For reliability’s sake, electronic ignition was fitted during the work.

The Mk2 Cortina has a trans-Atlantic air about it – scale it up by 50% and it could easily have featured in Ford USA’s showrooms. But the essence of the car is distinctly British, with that Lotus twin cam engine under the bonnet.

The bodywork on this car has clearly been restored to a very high standard, and the panel gaps and shutlines are excellent – in fact they’re probably better than some Fords that left the factory in the 1960s. 

Ermine White with a Sherwood Green stipe is the classic Lotus Cortina colour scheme, made so by virtue of the fact that all the MkI cars were finished like this, so all those images of Jim Clark with a wheel in the air are in these hues.

Again, whether the paintwork was ever this good from the factory is debateable, but what’s unquestionable is that this car has been finished beautifully. The restoration may have been completed a couple of years ago, but the car’s done very few miles since then and it’s hard to find any faults with the exterior presentation. It looks fantastic.

The deep-dish original steel wheels are also immaculate, and likely to remain that way thanks to being powder coated, a much more hard wearing finish than the original cellulose painted parts. Did steel wheels ever look so right?

There’s possibly some very light crazing on the rear bumper’s chrome, or it might just be the damp weather making it appear so. Either way, it’s barely discernible, but about the only thing we can find to nit-pick about.

If black is your favourite colour for a car’s interior, you’re in luck. The Lotus Cortina has a supremely 1960s style cabin, and all the better for it. It’s all in beautiful condition too, with new seat coverings, carpets and headlining. 

The wood rimmed steering wheel and similarly styled gear knob both bear the famous yellow and green Lotus moniker, and the row of four auxiliary gauges in the middle of the dash sit in their own pod, letting you know this is no cooking model.

The interior has been restored so faithfully that our resident fast Ford enthusiast John Hunt said the interior has the 'unmistakable smell of a Ford' adding that 'you could get in blindfolded and still know immediately that its a Ford'.

It’s hard to fault the interior, and we’re not going to. Anyone seriously interested in this car should come and see it anyway – you won’t be disappointed. 

The car’s underside is very nearly as clean as the upper bodywork. Save for a few mud splats here and there, you literally could eat your lunch off it, although a plate would be far more convenient, frankly.

The 'as clean as a freshly polished whistle' theme continues under the bonnet, where the sexy looking Lotus Twin Cam engine sits proudly. It was based on Ford’s pre-Crossflow overhead valve unit, but capped off with a Lotus designed twin cam alloy cylinder head.

It breathes through a pair of noisy Weber DCOE twin choke carbs, in this instance fitted with aftermarket foam air cleaners, although the original airbox is also with the car.

It snarls and rasps like an angry wild animal when you rev it, which is exactly what it should do. It doesn’t mind its Ps and Qs – it’s a rude little powerplant that’s always looking for a fight.

The car is accompanied by an original handbook, a large collection of restoration photographs on a USB stick (many of which are included here). You can tell by studying these that the restorer was a master of his craft, and left no stone unturned.

There’s also a current V5C document, as well as the original air box assembly. The car also has a current MoT test certificate (despite being exempt) which runs until February next year. There are no advisories on it.

The current owner describes the car as being ‘spot on in every respect, and an absolute dream to drive.’

This is a stunning example of a MkII Lotus Cortina that wouldn’t look out of place in a museum. It’s been restored to a very high standard and is ready to go. It has the right colour scheme and sits just as it should. It is indeed, spot on. We estimate that it will sell for £30,000-£40,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.