The Lotus Cortina was an immediate sporting triumph both on road and track.

Depending on who you listen to, somewhere between 2,894 (Ford’s number) and 3,306 (Lotus’ number) of the MKI cars were built between 1963 and 1966.

Of these just 660 were thought to have been left hand drive models with the key markets for these being the United Sates (160) and Canada (60).

This fine MKI is known to be one of the 160 destined for North America as first owner, Dick Hultberg of Delaware USA, reportedly bought the car directly from Colin Chapman at the factory in Cheshunt.

The car would be shipped Stateside and remain with its first owner until 1970.

At that point none other than Tom Carter bought it.

Tom (known as “T.C.” or “Twin Cam” to his friends) was the joint founder of a club simply called “Lotus!” that would go on to grow into the Lotus Car Club of North American.

The previous and first UK keeper, renowned historic racer John Bladon, had been searching for a MKI Lotus Cortina that h...