"In 1961, Colin Chapman was commissioned by Harry Mundy to design a twin cam version of the Ford Kent engine and its first appearance was at the Nürburgring in a Lotus 23 driven by Jim Clark. Soon after, the engine appeared in the Lotus Elan. During the engine's development, Walter Hayes at Ford, asked Colin Chapman to fit the twin cam into 1,000 Ford saloons for Group 2 racing homologation. Chapman accepted the contract and the type 28, or Lotus Cortina as it became known, was born. Whilst Ford supplied the two door bodyshells and took care of the marketing, Lotus engineered the mechanical and cosmetic changes which included the 1558cc engine along with the Elan's close-ratio gearbox, front quarter bumpers and Lotus badges. They also made changes to the interior with a new centre console to accommodate the revised gear lever position, different seats and a later styled dashboard that incorporated a tachometer, odometer, oil pressure, water temperature and fuel gauges. A wood rimmed steering wheel was the finishing touch.
This delightful Cortina was originally exported to the US. It was then repatriated to the UK in 2012 and registered with the DVLA on the index number MCY 135D. The car had a total nut and bolt ground-up restoration and was then sold to an Austrian collector. It was featured in a six-page article in a magazine, such is the quality of this Lotus Cortina. Still in left hand guise, the car has once again been repatriated to the UK and at the time of writing, the vendor is communicating with the DVLA to have the car re-registered onto the same number-MCY 135D. This is expected to be completed prior to the auction. The restoration included a full engine rebuild and the fitment of electronic ignition. We are advised this Mk. I Lotus Cortina drives as good as it looks and is sure to appeal to both collectors and investors. With prices of fast Fords rising rapidly this is sure to be a hit."