- Fabulous ex-Geoghegan racing Lotus Cortina
- Wonderful 'tribute' to 1973 Escort 'RS1600'
- Stunning 1971 Escort 1600 GT 'Twin Cam'
A grid-full of iconic small sporting Fords has lined up for Shannons upcoming Winter Timed Online Auction from June 8-15.
On pole position is a genuine 'works prepared' 1964 Lotus Cortina Mk 1 that was built by Ford's Competition Department in Boreham, England for Australians 'Pete' Geoghegan and his brother Leo to drive for the Sydney-based Total Racing Team.
The Mk I Lotus Cortina was Ford's first purpose-built British touring car that took the battle to its large American V8-engined Ford brethren in the early 1960s.
Although its basic two door Cortina body shell and front suspension originally came from Ford, Lotus installed its own specially-tuned 130BHP twin-cam engine, close ratio 4-speed gearbox, 3.9:1 LSD and rear suspension. The racing versions sat lower, had front disc brakes and wore wider wheels and tyres.
One of just three genuine factory-built Mk 1 Lotus Cortinas sent to Australia and identical to the one raced in Britain by the late Jim Clark, the Total car in its distinctive black team livery was campaigned by the Geoghegans for just one season – 1964 – competing at Warwick Farm, Lakeside, Sandown, Mount Panorama and Catalina Park.
However, after it was rolled at Catalina Park, it ended up in Queensland, where it was repaired, registered and used as a road car, as the Geoghegans turned their attention to the Mustang that was to make 'Pete' Geoghegan a five-time Australian Touring Car champion.
Meticulously restored to the smallest mechanical detail over a 20-year period by Ballina-based Lotus Cortina expert Graham Mein, the car retains all its period special features, including its suspension, designed by Tom Geoghegan and legendary motor racing engineer, John Sheppard in conjunction with Tom's racing sons Leo and Ian.
Because of its rarity, racing provenance and the quality of its restoration, it is expected to appeal to a global audience at its guiding range of $200,000-$250,000.
Another fabulous sporting Ford is a wonderful 'tribute' to a 1973 Ford Escort 'RS1600' two-door sedan built to Group 4 specification, using all the best competition bits, including a belt-drive twin camshaft 1599cc engine.
Replicating the famous Ford rally cars of the period in extraordinary detail, including its signature, bulbous 'Mexico' mudguards, the Escort is now eligible for historic rallying events all over the world and accordingly is expected to sell in the $90,000-$120,000 range.
Another great small sporting Ford in the auction is a 1971 Ford Escort 1600 GT 'Twin Cam' two-door sedan that has had a spectacular rotisserie restoration.
Offered with 'no reserve', Shannons expect it to sell in the $70,000-$90,000 range based on the quality of its restoration.
A more affordable sporting British Ford in the auction is a 1980 Ford Escort RS2000 ($25,000 - $35,000), while there is also a very well executed 'Lotus Cortina-inspired tribute' based on Ford's distinctive 1964, 105E Ford Anglia, complete with Cosworth engine ($20,000 - $25,000).
Small Ford fanciers will also be interested in the two Capri GT V6 Coupes in the auction – a beautiful unrestored three-owner, lime green,1973 manual gearbox car located in Sydney ($45,000-$55,000) and a very tidy 1971 model 'Vermillion Fire' automatic coupe in Melbourne ($35,000-$45,000).
To view all action lots, visit www.shannons.com.au
To talk to a Shannons Auction Team member, call the 13 46 46, Option 6 (Auctions), or email auctions@shannong.com.au