Shifting is easier with the lever still attached...

[ELVA164]

Unfortunately the differential in the Cortina ate itself pretty early into this past weekend at NJMP, but I did manage to get a couple short clips of video.

First, I was given the opportunity to try a short-shifter "upgrade" in the middle of my Friday warmup session:


I then had the chance to qualify with my "modified" shift lever and still managed a personal best lap of 1:20.363!

[TobyB]

It's amazing how often that happens in all forms of racing... even the seven- figure versions...

t

[ELVA164]

The funny thing is the owner of this car has broken THREE knobs off in three different cars, this being one of them. We had fixed it at the track by drilling and tapping the remainder of the shift lever, then threading in a male-male stud. We kind of forgot about it, and the lever broke because the threads did not fit all the way into the hole we drilled. It's amazing watching how it just...falls off instead of flinging across the cockpit.

[LJ851]

We had fixed it at the track by drilling and tapping the remainder of the shift lever, then threading in a male-male stud.

Aaaahhh, the the elusive and rare male-male stud... :p

[ELVA164]

Aaaahhh, the the elusive and rare male-male stud... :p

You never know what might be out there

[2mAn]

Love Cortinas!

[ELVA164]

Love Cortinas!

Me too! :D



Bonus E30 content!

[2mAn]

Im guessing you have the 1600 in it? How much do they weigh in race trim? Theres one not too far from me thats a full resto project that I cant get out of my mind. I am dying to get into vintage racing

[ELVA164]

Im guessing you have the 1600 in it? How much do they weigh in race trim? Theres one not too far from me thats a full resto project that I cant get out of my mind. I am dying to get into vintage racing

It's got the correct Lotus Twin Cam, yeah. Ours is overbored .020".

This car weighs 1775lbs, give or take. The cage that was previously installed is pretty overbuilt, so it could probably shed some pounds that way if we had the impetus.

If the car near you is fairly complete and you or someone you know is very competent with metal repair (it's definitely rusty, be prepared), the cars are becoming pretty desirable. Make sure it both has a number tag and it's a true Lotus; lots of people could try to fake it if you don't know what to look for. I can tell you it's an unbelievably fun car to drive, if you were to build it into a vintage racer. I can almost guarantee it'll steal the show wherever you take it as well. Everybody seems to have a Cortina-related memory!

[2mAn]

well you certainly arent helping to put the fire out!! its a real Cortina, but its a major project....ugh...

[ELVA164]

Here, this should make it seem less interesting:
One of my favorite-ever races, lifting the front AND rear inside wheel at some points. Not to mention the Cortina beat up on the Alfas and BMWs....