The 1969 Lotus Cortina Mk 2, Series 2 which once Patrolled the Islands Roads as Part of Hampshire Constabulary’s “L” Division.

Has been Purchased by Two Members of the IOW Classic Ford Club , Graeme Farrar & Andy Light saw the Advert in the National Classic Ford Magazine. And after Verification from the Police Car Register & the Lotus Cortina Register. They decided to go & have a Look at the Car.

After Confirming that the Car was indeed Genuine, they Decided to go Halves on the Ownership and Running of this Rare Car.  

Hampshire Constabulary had 13 Mk 2 Lotus Cortina’s , which in the Late 1960’s & Early 1970’s were Fast Cars and Ideal for Traffic Work. The Lotus Engine Produces 109.5 Bhp as standard & after rapid acceleration Could Achieve a Top speed of 105 to 110 Mph.

Graeme & Andy commented that they were both Keen to get the Ex IOW Police Car back on the Island, To be a Part of the Classic Ford Club and to be Restored to its Former Police Livery, with help from Hampshire Constabulary & the Police car Register.

Many thanks to Andy Abraham for the Transport & to Wightlink for Help with the Ferry Costs.

HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE POLICE LOTUS CORTINA ---- TOR 756H

The Hampshire Constabulary has by Tradition used Some of the best Cars of the

Respective Period for Use as Patrol Cars.

In 1969 a decision was Taken to Purchase the MK 2 Lotus Cortina as a Traffic Patrol Car. This Was Actually an Unusual Step as Very Few Other Forces in the UK had Tried them and they weren’t Considered to be the “Norm” as a Patrol Car. The West Sussex Police also used the MK 2 Lotus, Having been the only Force in the UK to use the MK 1 Lotus Cortina as a Patrol Car, Having Eleven of them at the Time. One Still Exists as a restored Police Car – GBP 1C.

Hampshire Constabulary had 13 Lotus MK 2 Cortinas, Registration Numbers as Listed Below,

TOR 751H

TOR 752H

TOR 753H

TOR 754H

TOR 755H

TOR 756H

TOR 757H

TOT 801H

TOT 802H

TOT 803H

TOT 804H

TOT 805H

UCG 662H

Our Car TOR 756H was first registered with Hampshire Constabulary on 1st September 1969, It was Retired from police use on the 11th October 1971 having covered 66,740 Miles. It was auctioned off at Frome car auctions in Somerset for £580. According to Police records it was Sold with a Leaking Water Pump. Of the 13 Cars Hampshire Police had TOR 756H had the Lowest Mileage when Retired, as the Average was between 75 to 80,000.

TOR 756H was based at “L” Division, Newport, Isle of Wight, And is Likely to have been One of maybe Three Traffic Patrol cars on the Island at the time. The Others were Likely to Have Been Volvo 144 DL’s.

The Livery for TOR 756H was Unique to that Car, Being Different from Other Hampshire Patrol Cars by the Large Reflective Band down Both Flanks, Otherwise Known as a “Jam Sandwich”.

The Call sign for TOR 756H was “PAPA LIMA 01 “

CURRENT HISTORY ------

TOR 756H was Bought Jointly by Graeme Farrar & Andy Light, Both Members of the "Isle of Wight Classic Ford Club” on the 12 th October 2002. After Seeing the car Advertised in the National Classic Ford Magazine. After Confirming with the Lotus Cortina Register and the Classic Police Car Register (PVEC) that the Car was Indeed Genuine they decided to go & have a Look at the car . After viewing the Car at Mitcheldean near the Welsh Border, A price was Agreed & transport was Arranged to Bring the Lotus Cortina Back to its Original Stomping Ground on the Isle of Wight.

As the car was Basically a Rolling Shell with the Engine & gearbox Removed and Most of the Interior also taken out, A trailer was Required to Move the Car on its journey.

On its Arrival back to the Island it was Stored Temporarily in a friends garage Until a Suitable Area for Working on the Car was Found.

The Cortina is Now Undergoing Restoration, which will Include Various New Panels & a Respray. Original Police Equipment is Being sourced all the Time and So far We have got a “Pye Westminister Radio Set, Two tone Horns, Blue Light & the Name of the Company that Can Supply the Reflective Bands for the Flanks of the Car.

Pictures below show current restoration, also the Car is Now Solely Owned By Graeme since December 2005 as Andy wished to Sell His Half of the Car