Lotus Chassis Numbers, etc
Disclaimer: I am NOT an expert on this. I merely collect data and present it for your use. Do NOT email me with questions!!! All I know is here.
I am considerably bitter and twisted on Lotus Cortinas numbers. Of the approximately 3,300 cars thought to have been built, some 6,000 now appear to survive...
See:- Chassis plate information, here
Chassis Numbers
From 1963, the Lotus Cortina numbering sequence began as Z74CO2... this continued through 1963 although there were other variations such as Z74CO5... Another common string was Z74CO66...
In1964 the coding changed to Z74D424 --- and this carried on through 1964 even with the change from pre-airflow to airflow it remained the same.
In 1965 the code changed to BA74E-59--- the letter E being the code for 1965. The following letter would be the month code and the following numerals the number of Lotus Cortinas built that year. In 1965 however Lotus built more than 1000 cars so the numbers ran from BA74E-59000 to 59999. At the end of 1965 they invented a new code to cover the overspill, 500xxx.
1966 was the same as 1965 with the year code changing to BA74F-59---, so there are cars with the same numerals e.g. 59123 but with a different year code. It was reported that the last Mk1 Lotus Cortina made had a special chassis number but this has not been verified.
There are also the BA85 Lotus Cortinas but as far as is known these didn't get exported.
All of the Left Hand Drive Lotus Cortinas seem to have 2 S S S A875, on the chassis plate. This translates as:-
2 = Left Hand Drive (1 being Right Hand Drive),
first S = Engine. S = Standard.
second S = Gearbox S = Standard
third S = Rear axle ratio Standard (3.9:1)
A875 = Trim Code. See Trim page, here
Build Plate
There should also be a small rectangular metal plate, rivetted to the wing-top, it (located by the right bonnet hinge, inner wing), with three pieces of information on it, for example:-
xxx LHD 123
Where the code xxx is the Ford designation for the Lotus Cortina,
LHD = left hand drive, or
RHD = right hand drive,
123 = the 123rd Left Hand Drive Lotus Cortina made.
Note: The Right Hand Drive number may be a lot higher, as the Left Hand Drive version only appeared in late 1964 and early 1965.
Other Points to Note
Finding a genuine Lotus Cortina can be a problem. The safest answer is first to check with the Lotus Cortina Register to find out if the car is known to the club, and second to take an expert with you when you look at the car.
The following tips may be helpful when taking an initial look.
Mike Jordan, ex-Chairman of the MK1 Cortina Owners Club provided this information in an article in the owners club magazine a few years ago.
The Lotus battery sat in the boot. Look for signs of the battery tray being removed from the engine compartment. "Lotus xx" should be hand-painted in red on the metal panel below the rear windscreen, under the trim. This could have been painted onto a 2-door G.T. shell. The bodyshell was always white, so look out for signs of a re-spray hiding another colour. There should be a big nut brazed under the boot floor to locate the spare wheel which lay on the floor rather than in the well as on standard cars. If there are signs of three badge holes on the rear wings, suspect a G.T. or Super bodyshell. This is by no means a complete list. As stated, take an expert with you!
The 1966 model should have front mounted brake callipers, unlike the earlier cars which had the callipers to the rear of the struts. (The struts are interchangeable, and there is no evidence one calliper location works any better than the other).
Of the 2867 Lotus Cortinas MK1s built until the end of 1966 of both left hand drive and right hand drive, roughly 400 were left hand drive.
It is believed that Ford motor Company admits to importing 186 into the U.S.A. during 1965 and 1966 according Graham Arnold in the "Lotus Buyer's Guide". Before that Lotus cars brought a few into the U.S. or they were privately brought in.
Myths?
A usually-reliable source has told me that a few 4-door Lotus Cortina MK1s were built. Also, a few automatic Lotus Cortina MK1s were also thought to have existed. Anyone got any evidence? Contact me if you know.
Also, what happened to Jim Clark's 1966 RAC rally car NVW 241C ?
MK2 Lotus Cortinas
The Chassis numbers for the Mk 2 Lotus Cortinas were completely different from the Mk1. The code BA91 denoted that it was a Lotus Cortina but because the Mk2 was built by Ford, and not Lotus, the chassis numbers followed the mass produced Mk 2 Cortinas. The Mk2 Lotus Cortinas however did seem to be produced in batches and not 1-off's.
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Page last edited:- 19 May, 2006