Researched by Gregor Grant, former Editor in Chief of "Autosport" and "Speedwork International" and completed by Doug Nye, this 288 page book details the growth of Lotus from it's kit-car position of the early 1960's through the beginning of the 1970's, when Lotus was able to offer 3 complete cars to the motoring public, in addition to winning at every level of motor sport racing. Published in 1972 by Robert Bentley, Inc. of Cambridge Massachusetts ISBN 0-8376-0051-0, this book covers the years chronologically. 1963 (Chapter 3) introduces the Lotus Cortina, and charts its success on the race courses of Europe and the world. ( A nice black and white photograph on page 74 shows several Lotus Cortinas sitting in a lot outside the Cheshunt facility, lined up with Elans, awaiting delivery.) Chapter 4 (1964), is titled "Cortina by Lotus" and begins with a photograph of the Ford rally drivers, with the Cortina bobsled run in the foreground. (Shortly after the photograph was taken, a snow-ball fight began, in which Jim Clark hurt his back.)
Chapter 7 (1967) details the change-over to Dagenham assembly of the Cortina by Lotus, and mentions the difficulty in switching racing programs from MKI to MKII bodies, considering the lag-time in delivering the finished product. Interesting.
No longer published, it is only available through collectors on the used market.
Return to Cortina Library
Return to Cortina Land Index Page