LOTUS · LOTUS CORTINA · Cars
LOTUS CORTINA Ultra-rare
As of 2026 Q1, 48 LOTUS CORTINAs remain registered in the UK — one of the rarest cars in Britain on today's roads. Numbers are at their highest recorded level since the model first appeared in our data in 2014 Q3. Unusually, the numbers are actually rising — up 3 (6.7%) over the past year, as imports and barn-finds rejoin the register faster than cars leave it. In all, the LOTUS CORTINA is rarer than 67% of the 2,429 UK car models we track, putting it firmly in 2026's endangered class.
Survivors over time
How rare is it?
Genuinely rare — only 48 left on UK roads.
Rarer than 67% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
Trend
About the CORTINA
The Ford Cortina Lotus (commonly known as the Lotus Cortina) is a high-performance sports saloon, which was produced in the United Kingdom from 1963 to 1970 by Ford in collaboration with Lotus Cars. The original version, which was based on the Ford Cortina Mark 1, was promoted by Ford as the "Consul Cortina developed by Lotus", with "Consul" later being dropped from the name. The Mark 2 was based on the Ford Cortina Mark II and was marketed by Ford as the "Cortina Lotus". Lotus gave the model the type number designation Type 28. There were 3,306 Mark I and 4,093 Mark 2 Lotus Cortinas produced.
LOTUS CORTINA — questions & answers
How many LOTUS CORTINA are left in the UK?
As of 2026 Q1, 48 LOTUS CORTINA were still registered in the UK — 33 licensed and on the road, plus 15 declared SORN (off-road). The figures come from official DVLA vehicle licensing data.
Is the LOTUS CORTINA rare?
The LOTUS CORTINA is genuinely rare, with only 48 left, making it rarer than 67% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
Is the LOTUS CORTINA increasing or decreasing?
Over the last year the number of LOTUS CORTINA on UK roads rose by 3 (6.7%).
What fuel do most LOTUS CORTINA use?
Most LOTUS CORTINA run on petrol — about 100% of those still registered.
When did the LOTUS CORTINA peak?
The LOTUS CORTINA peaked at 48 registered in 2026 Q1, and was first recorded in the data in 2014 Q3.