The world continues to change although not necessarily for the better. The same is true in the world of motor racing. The basis for most motor racing used to revolve largely around 'racing' versions of street model cars. There were a few series, like the FIA 'Formula' cars and the open wheel oval track cars in the US where pure racing machines were built, but most racing was done in cars that looked like they could be bought at a car dealer, driven to the track, raced and then driven home.
Back in that earlier time, before racing became such a big business, there was room for all manner of independent innovation from one garage to the next and it was not unusual to see the top racing drivers, who generally remained fairly independent contractors, racing F-1 one week and racing in GT cars or sedans the next.
In that environment Ford Motor Company had decided that it could advance its market share worldwide by being successful in motor racing. In the same way that they made alliances with Shelby American and Holman & Moody in the United States they reached out to Colin Chapman’s Lotus in England in 1963. They tasked Lotus to fit up 1,000 of their new Cortina sedans with a high performance, straight four, double overhead camshaft, 1,558cc engine that they had developed with the help of Keith Duckworth at Cosworth.
The result – with a lot of body panel lightening, suspension work and the hot little engine was the Lotus Cortina Mk1. The car was an instant hit and an instant success in group 2 racing with such racing greats as Jim Clark and Graham Hill driving the cars to victory. The Cortina program was the blueprint for the Ford/Shelby Mustangs that were to follow. It also put into high gear a strategic alliance between Lotus, Ford and Cosworth that would result in racing victories for years to come.
AUTOart has decided to offer us one of these “Wolves in Sedan Clothing” and fittingly selected the car that Jim Clark drove to victory at Crystal Palace in 1964. This car is a great selection because it carries so little livery or obvious racing adornment. It really looks almost like somebody drove it off the showroom floor, taped some black numerals on it and went racing.
Fit and finish are up to AUTOart’s usual standards which is excellent. Some might quibble that the “Team Lotus” green and yellow striping and script are a bit ‘fuzzy’ but that is the way it looked on the real cars and I find it a real plus. Lotus was about racing and winning, not winning a beauty contest.
The glazing and lights are excellent with very little ‘waviness’ and the badging is really nicely executed, particularly the ‘Lotus’ logos and the ‘Cortina’ scrip on the boot. On a car this plain those little touches really catch your eye and thankfully your eye is not disappointed.
The interior is pretty sparse, just like on the actual car but what there is of it is nicely done, particularly the neat Lotus steering wheel. Likewise with the wheels and tires, nothing fancy but ‘spot on’. There is some nice detailing in the trunk and under the car as well. Indeed the only bit that one can really find fault with are the rather clunky looking windshield wipers – not a ‘deal breaker’ in most folks books.
The real star of the show is under the hood and AUTOart has done a nice job with the engine. AUTOart really does great work with colors and textures to make their plastic bits look terrific.
All in all the Lotus Cortina is a very nicely done model of a car with a great history. Throw in that this particular car was raced by Jim Clark, one of the very best drivers of all time, and you have a sure winner for any collection.
-Frank Lemire
