Wild 1966 Ford Cortina Racer With Built Kent Engine Goes Live on BaT

Converted into a competitive SCCA machine around 2019, this Cortina is built around a stroked and blueprinted 1.6-liter Ford Kent inline-four.

The seller acquired the car in 2025, and it's offered with a spare set of Panasport wheels, service records, an owner's handbook, and a clean Tennessee title (listed as a 1967 model).

Engine & Drivetrain

The heart of the car is a Quicksilver-built Kent engine assembled in Frederick, Maryland.

Key components include a 0.020" overbored 691M block, SCAT crankshaft, 244-duration camshaft, Venolia forged pistons (7cc crown dish), cross-flow head, high-volume oil pump and baffled sump, and an Aldon distributor.

Induction is handled by dual Weber 40 DCOE carburetors feeding a GT-spec header into a stainless exhaust with a MagnaFlow muffler.

A 2017 dyno sheet in the gallery records peak output of 139 hp and 120 lb-ft, respectable for a lightweight Cortina and well suited to vintage racing.

Chassis, Suspension & Brakes

The Cortina rides on Retroford 13" steel wheels shod with 205/60 Toyo Proxes R888R tires and polished hubcaps on the rear.

Suspension upgrades include Koni front coilovers with 140-lb springs, a front sway bar, GT leaf springs at the rear, 2" lowering blocks, Spax adjustable shocks, and anti-tramp bars.

Polyurethane bushings are fitted throughout for improved response.

Front discs with 16P calipers and GT-spec rear drums handle brakes.

A Blackline limited-slip differential manages traction while an ATL 8-gallon fuel cell feeds the mechanical fuel pump (with a Facet electric priming pump as backup).

Interior & Equipment

The cabin is stripped for racing and protected by an SCCA-spec roll cage with door bars.

Fixed-back bucket seats trimmed in red upholstery are fitted with Willans harnesses; a battery box sits behind the seats.

Cockpit instrumentation includes a 110-mph speedo, an 8,000-rpm tachometer, auxiliary gauges, and an Innovate MTX wideband AFR gauge.

Condition & What's Included

The Cortina retains its factory Ermine White (BA) under the race prep but shows evidence of prior repairs, touched-up areas, paint chips, and damage to the rocker panels (photographs in the listing show these close up).

The sale includes spare Panasport wheels, extra parts, service records, and an owner's handbook.

Why This Cortina Matters

For vintage-race enthusiasts seeking a turn-key entry into SCCA or club racing, this Cortina offers a compelling package: a seriously built Kent engine, proven chassis upgrades, and the paperwork and spares to get running quickly.

The measured power output and light curb weight make it ideal for tight, technical tracks where momentum and handling trump outright horsepower.