A 1966 Ford Lotus Cortina with an incredible race pedigree will be offered for sale by Silverstone Auctions in its debut appearance at Autosport International at the NEC, Birmingham on 12 January 2019.

As one of only three ‘Group 5’ works cars built by Lotus for the 1966 British Saloon Car Championship, the collectible competition car was driven in period by some of the world’s most successful racing drivers, including Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Jacky Ickx.

Aside from Jim Clark, this Cortina was also successfully driven by Jacky Ickx and Graham Hill

With incredible and proven racing pedigree, the car will be offered at auction with an estimate of £180,000 to £200,000.

“We’re delighted to be offering this amazing Lotus Cortina at our inaugural Autosport International Sale,” comments Lionel Abbott, classic car specialist, Silverstone Auctions. “With its impressive history, it’s a fantastic addition to the sale catalogue and a sign of what’s to come.”

Stripped to its bare essentials and powered by a monster engine

This Ford Lotus Cortina, registration number PHK 614D, was built in March 1966 and immediately assigned to none other than Formula 1 World Champion Jim Clark for use at a rain disrupted Oulton Park. It went on to be throughout the 1966 season by fellow Formula 1 drivers Peter Arundell and Jacky Ickx, who took the car to second in class in finishes at Snetterton, Goodwood and Silverstone.

The Cortina with Jim Clark 

Clark wins the race during the car's debut

In June 1966, the Lotus Cortina underwent an engine conversion by BRM to fuel injection before racing at the Grand Prix support race at Brands Hatch, where Sir John Whitmore achieved first in class, finishing in fourth position overall. The car went on to achieve further podium positions and class wins in the hands of Peter Arundell at the Brands Hatch Guards International Meeting, at Oulton Park, and in the British Saloon Car Championship, taking Team Lotus to first place in the Lombank Entrants Trophy.

In 1967 the car appeared in its last works event, finishing its Team Lotus career on a high with World Champion Graham Hill taking it to first in class and second overall in the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch.

“Given its exceptional rarity, competition successes and association with World Champions, this amazing Lotus Cortina offers a fantastic opportunity to acquire one of the most significant sports touring cars of the 1960s,” adds Lionel.

After eight more competitive finishes in 1967 and 1968, the car then spent many years in Africa until purchased by Cedric Selzar, Jim Clark’s race mechanic, and repatriated to the UK.

Today it presents in authentic condition following a sympathetic restoration, and still retains its original shell and all the period race modifications to the suspension and the engine.

It's accompanied by the V5, full details of its works competition history in 1966, 1967 and 1968 as well as a small number of spares.

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