After successfully using a tuned Ford engine in the elan. Ford approached Colin Chapman to choose any car from the standard Ford range and fit the Lotus-Ford 1558cc engine.
The car Chapman chose was the 2-door Cortina model. This then became the famous Lotus Cortina (or Cortina Lotus according to Ford).
As well as using its engine, the Lotus Cortina also used the elan gearbox.
The car shed some weight due to the use of aluminium doors and bonnet and boot lids.
The Lotus Cortina was a sales and competition success, winning the British Touring Car Championship in 1963 and 1964 (the latter with Jim Clark at the wheel) as well as the 1966 RAC Rally.
Mark 1 Lotus Cortina production ran from 1963-1966.
A Mark 2 version was produced, but this was built by Ford, as opposed to Mark 1 assembly by Lotus.
1000 of these would then be built for competition homologation.
The front suspension was uprated, while the rear suspension was modified.
The car was then finished in the now famous white with a green flash.
