1967 Ford Cortina Lotus Mk2

RARE: 1967 Cortina Lotus Mk2 Series 1a

(1 of 33 Canadian Export cars)

Freshly rebuilt original engine & transmission. What makes this particular VIN# car even more rare is its color (Alpina Green), it's production date (March 1967 - first month of Mk2 Cortina Lotus production so it has the Mk1 3-rail gearbox & engine/covers, plus rare gauge pod on dash) and the fact that it does not have shock tower or other rust common to these cars.

I have a receipt file going back to 1977. Given that the receipts show 67,418 miles back in 1990 (69,954 miles currently) it is very possible that the odometer has not rolled over.

Better exterior pictures coming when we get s sunny day (3 weeks of rain in Texas).

WHY I'M SELLING IT

I am a 30-year car collector that purchased this car in 2013 with the intention of refurbishing it for my oldest son when he graduated college. He's decided he doesn't want a stick-shift classic car, so I've decided to sell it after investing $50K in addition to what I paid for the car.

CONDITION

This rare car is a mechanically reconditioned driver (not a rotisserie show car) and without rust issues, so it can be enjoyed. It retains original factory hang tags under the rear seat and rear trunk writing (shown in picture).

The car had a poor exterior respray when I bought it in 2013, so I had the car stripped to metal and the exterior resprayed as the car was going to be a gift to my son. Note picture of lower rocker when car was in paint shop as it was rust-free. Only rust found was slight pitting above headlights (ground out, sealed) and there is slight surface rust where the hood (bonnet) latches (can be removed with steel wool and sealed - I just haven't gotten to it yet). No fiberglass/filler or steel repairs anywhere -- including rust-free original floor plans.

The engine is better than new with "best of everything" parts and a whopping 164hp (versus 109hp factory rating) on pump gas.

The interior is original (patina) so it's up to the new owner whether to restore or leave "as is.”Comes with original Owner's Manual, jack, and spare steel wheel set.

WHAT'S BEEN DONE (pictures & $50K of receipts available for the below)

* Gearbox (original): 3-rail 2000E (Mk1 type), freshly rebuilt with new synchro's, fresh/updated semi-close ratio gear cluster, and proper gear oil.

* Engine (original): Mk1 type valve covers with Lotus on both banks, fresh Tony Ingram rebuild from 1558cc to 1700cc: Ford Racing crankshaft, new pistons/rings, ARP bolts, all new engine fasteners/gaskets, upgraded water pump front cover assembly, rebuilt distributor, electric fuel pump (mechanical pump comes with car) and lightened flywheel, new Lucas C40L generator, rebuilt starter (Pete Snyders), PD Gough original spec exhaust (UK), ceramic coated header; Braille battery.Dyno run-in shows peak164hp/143 ft lbs on pump gas!

* Fusing: the Mk2 Series 1 cars were never fused, so I obtained an original fuse box (per later Mk2's) and had the wiring correctly fused (see pictures).

* Suspension: all new/NOS parts from Rod Smith/UK (control arms, springs, bushings, track rod ends, hub/bearing rebuild, new rear shocks, retains original front shocks that were sent to Koni). Thousands of dollars in labor to disassemble/sandblast/paint the leaf springs, hubs, axles, etc. -- everything reconditioned.

* Brakes: rebuilt original calipers, new discs/pads (Dave Bean Engineering); rebuilt dual servos (sent to Past Parts UK), new brake lines, new rear wheel cylinders/shoes

* Paint: body stripped and checked for rust, exterior repaint to original Alpina Green; interior, engine compartment & boot are original paint

* Interior: original seats (foam replaced), original carpet, original window glass, and dash gauge pod; upgrade GT steering wheel, bakelite steering wheel (spare); rebuilt windshield wiper motor

* Shock towers: clean/excellent, no rust!

* Wheels: rare 13" Dunlop wheels, plus set of original 13 x 5.5" steel wheels

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

Just a few minor sorting items remain:

* Adjust reverse gear (I'm having my shop check it out)

* Check Speedo/Tach gears (I had both rebuilt by Austin Radio & Speedometer, but they are still finicky - may need to send out to Mo-Ma Manufacturing for calibration)

* Adjust idle (Weber carburetors)

* Buff paint in door jambs

The car has current Texas inspection and it drives well.

Bid with confidence as I've been on eBay 18 years with 100% Positive reviews and I've been involved in eBay automobile transactions in excess of $100,000.