1965 Ford Lotus Cortina Shocks, Suspension, Brakes, & Pictures

Koni adjustable shocks and custom-wound 500-lb/in springs up front keep the car well-composed in the twisty bits, and billet-aluminum tie rods ensure the utmost in adjustability come race day. A slightly beefier 1.25-inch front anti-roll bar helps tame the car's natural tendency to oversteer, and CJ reports he wouldn't think of adding a rear bar. The fully adjustable Panhard bar and traction bars are more than adequate to dial-in the rear suspension for any track event. It's not hard to stop a car that weighs 1720 pounds, but with additional motivation from a 7/8-inch Tilton master cylinder and rear disc brakes from a late-model Ford Escort replacing the stock drums out back, the car's weight advantage under braking is further multiplied. Stainless braided brake lines and a brake balance controller round out the package, keeping the brakes fade-free, race after race.

As the seasons wore on, less and less was left of the original Lotus Cortina. The racecar now sports fiberglass body panels, Plexiglass windows and even a Plexiglass windshield. Timo Passi of Passi Power in Pomona, California, was responsible for the chassis prep, and started by gouging the fenderwells open like cantaloupes to fit oversize Hoosier racing slicks and lightweight 13x7-inch Revolution wheels. Most of the body has been seam welded, and a 5-point rollcage has been added in conjunction with a bar connecting the two B-pillars, for increased structural rigidity. Even the frame rails have been cut and clearanced to fit the axle, which has in turn been raised up into the body to accommodate the new suspension. The interior has been completely stripped out and painted, and as far as the eye can see, it's all aluminum with the exception of red Sparco seats. Lead tiles positioned throughout the car ensure perfect weight distribution, both front to rear and side to side, and a comprehensive fire extinguishing system has been installed that covers the entire car, from the engine bay to the interior, should anything go awry.

The little Lotus has come a long way since it was purchased in 1997 and was crowned "D" Production champion during the 1999 season. And sport-compact cars have come a long way since the days of the Lotus Cortina. It's important to take a moment to pay homage to one of the founding fathers of the craze that we're all so passionate about. We can look as far back as 40 years and see that there were people who were just as crazy about big performance in small packages as we are now.