Ex Jim Clark 550 VAR for sale (again!)

[Steve 155C]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C375447 , or http://www.oldracingcar.co.uk/

The Old Racing Car Company Ltd
Felmingham Hall, North Walsham, Norfolk
NR28 0LP
tel: 07831 379111 07770 382533

"Probably the most historically important Lotus Cortina MK I of all time, this car not only has a remarkable provenance but is also unique, being the blueprint for how the Lotus Cortina should have been had time and cost not compromised much of the pivotal development of Colin Chapman's concept car. So when he had the opportunity to put all of his original ideas into one car, Chapman directed Bob Dance and his team of works mechanics to build it for none other other than friend and team racing driver Jim Clark.

Significantly 550VAR is the only original Lotus Cortina to be fitted with Independent Rear Suspension having a complete Lotus Elan rear end and all round disc brakes, with much larger brake servo. 550VAR also has the very first Special Equipment engine, LP127,with 40DCOE2 carbs. The car sports a green special equipment cam cover, s/e cams, correct Irvin seat belts and one of Jim Clark's Spring all flat leather steering wheels. Clark was asked to test the car when new, then refused to give it back hence it became his road car.

Please visit our website for the full story and technical spec."

 

[waf]

@ offers around 250k :shock:

 

[Steve 155C]

Where do these dealers dream up these prices.

 

[kevflight]

Well Bloody Hell Nell, £250K that must be the most expensive Lotus Cortina ever if it sells for that!!

What is the Reynolds car worth now that he is dead does it add more value given its history?

I'm sure I seen this car when Andy Middlehurst owned it up my way in St Helens when he owned the Nissan dealer there.

Regards
Kev

 

[David Baldock]

There're the same seats as my '65 car. Is that right?

Dave B

 

[robertverhey]

Ad makes a big deal of the Lotus Elan rear suspension and then no pics thereof!. Go figure.......

 

[tommy]

Wasn't the independent rear end not used, as the pressed tin box it was mounted in couldn't stick the pace?
Read somewhere that you could see the ripples coming across the top of it as the car drove along the road. Also read somewhere that this car didn't have a working handbrake.
Tommy

 

[Lashman]

Here's a pic I took underneath it about 10 years ago.

 

[Steve Phillips]

this is about the only original Clark car , Andy bought it of a relative of Jim Clark that's true , and its really the only one I believe in to be a genuine Clark car, if I am correct he swopped it with Tom Walkinshaw for a deposit note on an XJ 220 , good business at the time , but seriously it cant be worth that money , oh and by the way its still painted and decorated and not the way it left the factory

 

[Rick]

Its worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

 

[Pete G]

Its worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Maybe JD Classics will buy it, then offer it for £300k ?