1966 Ford Lotus Cortina

One of the first “race on Sunday, commute on Monday” factory cars, the Lotus Cortina built its reputation on the track and in people’s daily lives. Henry Ford II assigned Lotus’ Colin Chapman the task of building a Ford that was performance inspired and could give Ford some racing credibility. The Cortina did so in triplicate, winning rally and touring car championships right and left and being driven by the likes of Jim Clark. The Cortina provides a peppy 0-60 time of just under 10 seconds and adroit cornering, partially in part to its dainty 2,060 pounds of weight. Without doubt, credit needs to also be given to its 115 horsepower, which are generated by a twin-cam 1.6-liter four-cylinder with thirsty and throaty sounding dual-Weber carbs. While this car can carry four people in relative comfort, it is most happy when being revved high and thrown into a corner with full gusto.