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1966' Ford Cortina

£49,995

Published 2 July 2026ID: WtVjUH

Lincolnshire
+44Show phone

Information from the owner

Age: 60 years

Mileage: 6182 km

Displacement: 1558 cc

Fuel: Petrol

Transmission: Manual

Exterior color: White

Seller's comments about 1966' Ford Cortina

FOR SALEJF Classic Cars are delighted to offer this outstanding 1966 Ford Lotus Cortina for sale. Regarded as one of the finest performance saloons of its era, the Lotus Cortina remains an icon of British motoring, revered for its competition pedigree, exhilarating driving dynamics and enduring desirabilityThis exceptional example benefits from the distinguished provenance of previous ownership by renowned motoring personality Mike Brewer, adding yet another layer of exclusivity to an already remarkable motor car. Combining historical significance with outstanding presentation, this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of Ford's most legendary classicsDESCRIPTIONIntroduced in 1963, the Ford Lotus Cortina was born from a collaboration between Ford and Lotus to create a lightweight, high-performance saloon capable of dominating both the road and the racetrack. By 1966, the Mk1 Lotus Cortina had firmly established itself as one of Britain's most successful sporting saloons, earning an enviable reputation through victories in touring car championships and rally events worldwide. Today, the 1966 Mk1 Ford Lotus Cortina remains one of the most iconic and collectible performance Fords ever built, admired for its motorsport pedigree, distinctive styling and exhilarating driving experienceEXTERNALFinished in the iconic and highly desirable combination of Ermine White with Sherwood Green side flash, this 1966 Mk1 Ford Lotus Cortina presents beautifully and is a superb testament to the timeless design of one of Ford's most celebrated performance saloons. The paintwork displays an excellent depth of finish and uniform gloss throughout, complementing the car's crisp body lines and unmistakable Lotus styling.The body panels are exceptionally straight, with the bonnet, front wings, doors, rear quarters and boot lid all exhibiting excellent alignment and consistency. Panel gaps are notably even throughout, reflecting the quality of restoration and meticulous attention to detail, while the doors close with the reassuring precision expected of a well-restored example.To the front, the distinctive black-finished grille is beautifully framed by its correct chrome surround, creating a striking focal point against the Ermine White coachwork. The headlamps remain bright and crystal clear, complemented by excellent chrome bezels, while the front indicator and side lamp lenses are equally well preserved, showing no signs of fading, cracking or moisture ingress. The front chrome corner bumpers are presented in outstanding condition, displaying a deep, mirror-like finish that perfectly complements the car's period styling.At the rear, the tail lamp assemblies retain excellent clarity with vibrant lenses and bright chrome surrounds, while the rear panel and boot aperture are equally well presented. The rear chrome bumper is beautifully finished with an exceptional lustre, free from significant pitting or deterioration. The door handles, window surrounds and remaining exterior brightwork are all in very good order, further highlighting the quality of this example.The glazing throughout is in good condition Every pane sits correctly within its aperture, while the rubber seals surrounding the windscreen, rear screen, quarter windows and doors remain supple, correctly fitted and provide a clean, factory-style finish.The Sherwood Green side flash is sharply defined and beautifully finished, maintaining the authentic appearance that has become synonymous with the Lotus CortinaOverall, this Mk1 Lotus Cortina presents to an exceptionally high standard throughout, offering the quality of fit, finish and originality sought after by the most discerning collectors and Ford enthusiasts. Beautifully detailed and wonderfully presented, it is an outstanding example of one of Britain's most iconic sporting saloons and is sure to impress even the most fastidious purchaser.ENGINE & TRANSMISSIONPowering this 1966 Ford Lotus Cortina Mk1 is the renowned 1, 558cc Lotus twin-cam four-cylinder engine, celebrated for its free-revving character, impressive performance and unmistakable soundtrack. Producing approximately 105 bhp when new, it remains one of the defining features of this iconic sporting saloon.The engine starts readily on the button from cold, settling into a smooth, crisp idle before delivering strong and responsive performance throughout the rev range. Paired with the correct four-speed manual gearbox, gear changes are precise and progressive, with the car driving exceptionally well through all gears. Together, the engine and transmission provide the engaging, confidence-inspiring driving experience that has made the Mk1 Lotus Cortina one of Britain's most desirable and collectible classic FordsWHEELS, TYRES & BRAKESThis 1966 Ford Lotus Cortina Mk1 sits proudly on a set of classic 8-spoke silver Minilite alloy wheels, perfectly complementing its iconic sporting appearance. The wheels are shod with quality Michelin 175/ 70 R13 tyres, which remain in excellent condition and provide superb levels of grip while maintaining the car's period-correct driving characteristics.Braking is provided by servo-assisted front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, delivering reassuring stopping power with excellent pedal feel. The braking system performs exactly as intended, offering confident and progressive braking to match the car's renowned handling and performanceHISTORY FILEFirst registered on the 18th February 1966, This exceptional Ford Lotus Cortina was once part of renowned motoring personality Mike Brewer's own private collection, adding a unique and desirable chapter to its story.Whilst the accompanying history file is relatively modest, the outstanding condition of the vehicle and the exceptional attention to detail throughout speak volumes about the level of care and investment it has received over the years.In 1999, the Cortina embarked on an extensive eight-year restoration by its previous owner, with the objective of returning the car to an exceptional standard. The quality of the finished restoration is evident throughout, from its superb presentation to its overall fit and finish.Following completion, the car was used sparingly and stored within a Carcoon when not in use, helping to preserve its remarkable condition. At the commencement of the restoration, the vehicle had covered approximately 70, 000 miles. As is common during a full restoration, the speedometer was reset and today displays just over 6, 000 miles, representing the mileage covered since the restoration was completed.Combining exceptional presentation, careful long-term ownership and meticulous restoration, this Mk1 Lotus Cortina represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Ford's most iconic performance cars an example that is sure to appeal to discerning collectors and enthusiasts alike.v5 Present & HPi Clear.