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£140,000 might seem a lot of money for a 50 year old Ford Cortina - but this 1965 version is a little bit of British automotive history that should have buyers flocking to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this friday to bid for some unique racing heritage.

Back in the 1970s and '80s, the mass-produced vehicle was the archetypal used motor that filled the pages of second hand car ad's - But despite it rather dated looks this car is no old banger.

Tuned and powered by Lotus and driven by Sir John Whitemore this unlikely looking racing machine won every race in the 1965 European Touring Car Championship - leaving more famous continental manufacturers in its wake.

Powered by a 2 litre engine the car was practically unbeatable throughout the 1960's with famous drivers such as Graham Hill and Jim Clark learning the skills that would later take them to F1 glory in the understated Ford.

Bonhams - Goodwood Festival of Speed 12/7 - £140,000