Just arrived from its long years in Australia, here's 1957-58 Lotus-Climax Type 12 chassis '353' - bound for Bonhams' forthcoming Monaco Sale.
This remarkable survivor, which began life in 1500cc Formula 2 guise in September 1957, became the first Formula 1 Lotus in May 1958, when fitted with a '2-litre' Climax FPF engine. It is the car - then in its initial 1.5-litre F2 guise - in which Graham Hill made his Team Lotus single-seater racing debut (September Goodwood '57), then with the 2-litre engine it gave both him (and Team Lotus) their frontline Formula 1 debuts (BRDC International Trophy, Silverstone '58), followed by their joint World Championship-qualifying Grand Prix debuts (Monaco '58). Still retaining its surviving original chassis - original body panels - this little jewel was greeted, after our lousy, soggy winter, by the sun coming out to greet it (and us), upon its return last week to the Goodwood Motor Circuit.
Its contemporary 1958-59 drivers include Henry Taylor, Graham Hill, Maurice Michy (1959 Coupe d'Auvergne F2 race - does anyone remember him, and if you do is his recorded first name here correct?), Bruce Halford, and...(1959 Syracuse GP) Maria Teresa de Filippis. Diversity is so important, these days....
Oh yes - and before I forget, and talking of diversity - it is also the Lotus 12 that was driven for 30-odd miles on the public road (until it broke) by Denis Jenkinson of 'Motor Sport' magazine on Christmas Day, 1957, in what we later laughed about as having been his 'Figgy Pudding Grand Prix' escapade "...while the coppers were having their Christmas lunch"...and for which Colin Chapman so readily loaned the car regardless of such minor matters as traffic law.
Different times, indeed - but still a gem today.
Photos strictly Copyright: The GP Library
DCN
Above - with American-based Brit Cooper and Rejo racer Mark Osborne of Bonhams...
And so off to rest after its many weeks on the high seas...
DCN
Edited by Doug Nye, 22 March 2024 - 13:08.