Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Chassis No: 22-J-1
Mot Expiry: N/A

The successor to the Lotus 18, the 20 was built to contest the Formula Junior single-seater race category in 1962. Considerably more aerodynamic than its predecessor, it comprised a squat, tubular spaceframe clad in lightweight glassfibre bodywork. As standard, it was equipped with the 1098cc, straight-four Ford Cosworth MAE engine mated to either a Renault Dauphine or Hewland-modified VW gearbox. As the season progressed the model morphed into the Lotus 22, with the original Alfin drum brakes being replaced by discs all round and the engine canted over to further reduce the centre of gravity. In this form, the Lotus was extremely successful; the Works car of Peter Arundell dominating the British Championship that year as well as winning at Monaco, Rouen, Zandvoort, Albi and Montlhery.

The 20/22 on offer was purchased by the vendor from Coys of Kensington in 2000. Among the various letters on file is one dated May 2nd 2001 from Duncan Rabagliati, the respected Secretary of the Formula Junior Historic Racing Association (FJHRA) to Coys, which succinctly summarises his understanding of the car's history to that time. He assessed it to be a genuine Lotus 20 that had been treated to the brake and rear end modifications to achieve the specification of a 22 - hence the current 20/22 designation. He noted that the chassis plate was that of a 22, which the car had worn since at least 1982, when the Lotus was sold by California-based classic car dealer Ron Cameron of California Sports Cars to West Coast lawyer Chris Gruys.

It seems that, though he never raced it during his tenure, Gruys did have the car restored before later selling it to Richard Santucci & Son of New Jersey in 1995. According to Rabagliati's information, it subsequently passed into Coys care via RM Auctions. The last paragraph of his letter states: "With over 15 years' continuous history and period specification as a Lotus 20/22, I would be happy to give this car FIA papers as an historic Formula Junior category FJ2."

The vendor believes the Lotus was once part of the Texas-based Rosebud Racing Team and has recently repainted the car's new lightweight bodywork in the relevant colour - Electric Blue. We understand its engine was built-up by Racing Fabrications of Cambridge with the same company being largely responsible for maintenance. Though last year's minor overhaul was entrusted to a French firm, since when the car has apparently only contested races at Dijon and Zolder. A dynamometer sheet on file shows that peak power of 127 bhp was delivered at 8250 revs, with 124 bhp still available at 9000 rpm - a remarkably flat power curve. The engine is mated to a Hewland MK8 gearbox. The Lotus's red trim is said to be original. The vendor tells us the car is fully sorted and on the button, and is satisfied it could win races in the right hands. We understand it has already contested two Goodwood Revival meetings and comes complete with the relevant FIA paperwork to make it eligible for numerous other major historic events worldwide.

The Formula Junior category consistently produces close-fought enjoyable racing and is arguably the most cost-effective passport to the world's top historic meetings. Good quality single-seater racing doesn't come much more affordable than this.

PLEASE NOTE: The chassis number of this lot is 22-J-1 and not 22-3-1 as previously listed.