1966 Lotus Cortina

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The Lotus Cortina 1966 is a classic British sports sedan that is renowned for its performance and technical prowess. A collaboration between Ford and Lotus, this car is the perfect blend of American muscle and British engineering. It was built to dominate the track and the road, with a powerful engine and an advanced suspension system that provided exceptional handling and stability.

At the heart of this car lies a 1.6-liter Ford engine that was modified by Lotus to produce an impressive 105 horsepower. This engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission that gave drivers complete control over the car's performance. The engine's efficiency was enhanced by a pair of Weber carburetors, which improved fuel delivery and increased horsepower.

The Lotus Cortina 1966 was designed to be lightweight and agile, with a unibody construction that made it incredibly stiff and responsive. The car's suspension system was carefully engineered to provide a smooth ride on the road and exceptional handling on the track. It featured independent front suspension with MacPherson struts, coil springs, and anti-roll bars. The rear suspension was a live axle setup with leaf springs, providing a solid and stable platform for high-speed driving.

The car's brakes were also highly advanced for the time, with disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear. These brakes provided exceptional stopping power and were well-suited to the car's high-performance capabilities.

The Lotus Cortina 1966 was a true driver's car, with a minimalist interior that was focused on performance. The seats were designed to be lightweight and supportive, with minimal padding and aggressive side bolsters. The steering wheel was a three-spoke design with a thin rim, providing excellent feedback and control. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with only the essential gauges and controls.

In conclusion, the Lotus Cortina 1966 is a classic sports sedan that is packed with technical features and innovations that are still impressive today. Its advanced engine, suspension, and braking systems make it a formidable performer on both the road and the track. Its lightweight construction and minimalist interior make it a pure driver's car that is truly a joy to drive.

Milestones

- Introduction of the Lotus Cortina in January 1966 - Powered by a 1.6L dual overhead cam inline-four engine - Developed by Lotus Cars with the cooperation of Ford - Produced in limited numbers, with only 3,306 units built - Built on the Mark 1 Ford Cortina body - Top speed of 108 mph - Could accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 9.9 seconds - Won numerous races, including the British Saloon Car Championship in 1964 and 1965 - Considered a high-performance, sporty family car - Featured upgraded suspension, brakes, and gearbox - Utilized cutting-edge technology for the time, including aluminum alloy cylinder heads and water-cooled brakes


Technical

- Engine: 1.6L Ford Kent engine - Power: 105 hp - Top speed: 108 mph - Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 9.1 seconds - Transmission: 4-speed manual gearbox - Suspension: Independent front suspension with MacPherson struts and coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs - Brakes: Disc brakes on front wheels, drum brakes on rear wheels - Steering: Rack-and-pinion steering - Body: Two-door sedan with steel unibody construction - Weight: 2,016 lbs - Dimensions: Length 156 inches, width 62 inches, height 52 inches - Fuel consumption: 26 mpg (combined)
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