1960 Lotus 18 Formula Junior

• In-period race history
• Known ownership history
• Not used since full restoration
• FIA papers valid until 2030

Not used since full restoration, this Lotus 18 Formula Junior has full FIA papers valid until 2030 and requires only testing and final setting up to go. It was rebuilt with no expense spared but is surplus to the requirements of the owner, who is an active racer in other Historic classes.

Chassis number '18-753' was supplied new to the well-known club racer and garage proprietor Len Gibbs to replace his early Lotus 18, which was damaged during competition. It was supplied fitted with Ford 105E engine '191946E' and a Renault gearbox. The car has documented race history for 1960 and 1961 from the Historic Lotus Club (see file). Len Gibbs and his wife, Bluebell, were well-known motor sports competitors and their business, Slades Garage of Penn in Buckinghamshire, was established in 1922 and still exists today.

In the early 1960s the Lotus was acquired by the well known Australian racing driver, Paul Hawkins, and then part-exchanged with the Rhodesian driver Les Tempest. The car was used in period in club races in Zimbabwe and Zambia and then bought by the renowned collector and racer Jannie van Aswegen, who restored the chassis and running gear, fitting many parts from Peter Denty, the UK's leading authority on early Lotus racing cars. The Lotus was then brought to the UK by Eddy Perk and initially completed with an expensive dog-engagement gearbox before a correct 1100cc pre-cross-flow engine was obtained through Jamie Murray and built by Hi-Tech Engines with high-grade competition parts. Many of the bills for parts and labour are available together with pictures of the build.

In this complete condition the car was acquired by the current owner who had the engine rechecked by Jan Nycz, who fitted a new competition clutch and completed the car in 2020, obtaining full FIA papers. The finish is said to be excellent throughout, with the Denty panels remaining in fine condition and the car obviously unused. Due to other commitments in both work and racing, the owner has never campaigned the Lotus, running being restricted to trips up and down the drive. The car will need checking and setting up but aside from that is ready to run. With the car comes a correct spare gearbox, gearbox casing, driveshafts, two wheels, and numerous original components.