The Lotus Cortina was among the hottest, most desirable sedans of the 1960's. Based on Ford's most popular family car it had the benefit of a considerable reworking by Lotus, including a 1558 c.c. twin-cam 4-cylinder engine. These mods made the Ford sedan a winner in both racing and rallying. Future F1 champion Jim Clark certainly proved what it could do when he won the 1964 British Touring Car Championship in a Lotus Cortina.

A current article in Business Week tells us of rare a Special Equipment model "upgraded with semi-race camshafts, larger valves, bigger exhaust system, 115 hp (up-rated from 105), adjustable rear shocks, leather-covered Lotus steering wheel, Irvine 'aircraft specification' seatbelts/harnesses, and unique 'Special Equipment' badging on rear body panels."

Only 68 of these unique performance models were made and few exist today. The Lotus Cortina SE featured in this article was the subject of a lengthy and meticulous restoration, which included an increase in engine power to 143.8 hp at 7,182 rpm. "The finished car is confirmed as to correct specification by the Lotus Cortina Register and was the subject of a photographic history exercise by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, which had chosen this particular example as the reference model for its archive." It sold for $49,342 at Bonhams's sale at Beaulieu, England, on September 9, 2006, a possible record for a Lotus Cortina.