mattmcginn, would you work/fix on this car? SOT

[beast02er]

This is a Lotus Cortina that I have located. Sad thing is its in pretty bad shape, and everything Lotus about it has been parted out. All that is Lotus about it is the fact that it went through their shops 43 years ago, and is one of 3300 or so ever built.

Of course since i've always wanted a LoCort (and will never be able to afford one at todays prices), this car is more inspiring to me than a regular in this condition. Since you are quite the metal worker, question is, would you take on this project? I am ambitious and willing to try anything that I haven't done before, but this would be quite the undertaking for me. I'm just trying to figure out, if I could locate panels at a decent price, would I even be able to take this on.

BTW, I wouldn't even attempt to turn it back in to a Lotus (buy all the lotus parts to put back in), it would cost WAY more than its worth. I would just have a car I could restore and build, and be able to put the Lotus emblem on it and not be a poseur

Let me know what you think. I'll probably lean towards a 2-door GT, if I can find one.

Bryan

red73

[alp]

is this too expensive?? and it is even in your State!

http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/lotus/1053478187/1053478187ss.htm

[beast02er]

Yeah a bit expensive, i'm not so interested in a Mk.II Lotus (if it had the engine at that price I would maybe be). I think the seller of this MkI would let it go for under 1K.

[mattmcginn]

It looks pretty bad but the floor shot gives me hope that there is something left to work with!

If I remember correctly, a lot of parts are available for those thru english suppliers. That fact can be the make-or-break of any restoration because fabricating things from scratch to look factory is usually more costly than using purpose built pieces.

If you have more pix give me a call at the shop at 860 621 2002 and I can tell you where to send em! Matt

[jerry]

take a look at the Metalmeet.com forum (which i learned about on the FAQ) where there's a guy restoring a completely rusted out Abarth car. simply amazing undertaking. and there are no available panels. everything is either salvaged or remade. it makes 02 rust repair look like child's play.

if you have TIME, and SPACE, a lot of PATIENCE and a willingness to try new things and responsibility to see a project through to completion, then perhaps you should consider taking the plunge yourself. otherwise, start saving your money to pay others to do it.

btw, i think the car is totally cool looking, but storing parts for one marquee is enough for me.

[beast02er]

Thanks for the replies.

My little Cortina idea/plan would be to fit a 2002 rear subframe so to have a fully independent suspension, with a 2.0L Ford Duratec (2005 and newer engine) on ITB's. The thought of having the body being an actual Lotus (though I'd never do it to a legit body, unlike this one) would make it all the cooler. BUT, for all I know as of yet, all of the Lotus components along with the # plate could have been transfered to a clean GT shell (which is sort of sketchy).

There is a guy or two that has body panels in the US which is good because with the exchange rate and shipping costs, buying panels from the UK would probably cost me $5K!!!!

I would love to bring this car back to life, but I think time and effort wise...it is impractical (I would take it on if I didn't have a significant other).

BTW, check out turbosport.com for some insane "rustorations" on Mk.1 Escorts etc in England, those guys could take this car on with no problem!

-Bryan

[alp]

the same goes for the air cooled VW bus/transporter community in Europe. They pay crazy prices for total rust buckets and then bring them back to life with full on restorations.

[jmon0261]

I found this website- Sure you already know about it.

http://www.lotus-cortina.com/

Best of luck finding a Cortina