Something extraordinary has happened at the recent Bonhams auction, when a 1965 Lotus Cortina went under the hammer for a whopping €243,000 – about ten times its list price. You could buy a brand-new Lamborghini Huracan Evo for that kind of cash and still have enough left for a vacation. So, what’s the catch?
The catch, as is often the case, is in the history of this particular example. The Alan Mann Racing team customized it to participate in the Touring Car Championship. Piloted by famous British racing driver John Whitmore, the Cortina won 8 out of 9 awards in its category. Later on, Whitmore purchased the vehicle for himself and owned it until 1995.
In early 2000s, the car underwent major restoration that involved replacing its body panels and seats. It has participated in the Goodwood Hill Climb races several times since.