Description:

Very early car - 51/FF/22A on frame AM22. Built 1967.

Listed under my name on LFFR.org

One of the batch of very early purpose-built Lotus Formula Fords (as opposed to the converted type 31’s) supplied new to Jim Russel Racing Driver school in 1967. Would have competed in National FF events under the JRRDS club for several seasons with a number of different drivers.

Car was originally 1500cc when new (as were all the FF cars) and painted blue, with the original Renault Gearbox stamped ‘Blue Car 03016’. We still retain this gearbox, which was replaced by a Hewland MK6 in either 1968 or 1969. 

The chassis plate shows 51-FF-22 A. We assume the ‘A’ suffix was added when the car was upgraded to 51A specification - which was mainly a change to the rear suspension mounting arrangements and radius arm positioning. Unfortunately evidence of any of this was lost as a result of its final accident in 1969.

The frame number was also lost for the same reson, but we believe (with the valued assistance of LFFR) it would have been Arch Motors number AM-22. The current chassis is a replacement. What little remained of the original chassis was unsuitable for incorporation in the replacement due to damage and corrosion.

We know this car took part in the inagural Formula Ford race at Brands Hatch entered by JRRDS, and was driven either by:

M.Fletcher

C. Bourgai

J.Stock.

Car was written off in a heavy crash in 1969 and remained with JRRDS as a spares donor for other cars. 

Purchased along with a crash-damaged converted Lotus type 31 by the late Dick Tennant around 1972, with the intention of making one good car from what remained of the two. Unfortunately work did not commence until 2010, and only in a very limited way. I purchased both the cars from the Tennant estate in 2015.

New Simon Hadfield chassis and body, along with fully rebuilt Hewland H6 by Racing Transmissions. Engine built by Derek Buckton, and the whole thing beautifully rebuilt and restored by Jon Waggitt of Sports & Specialist Cars at York. On new ACB-9 tyres, new harness and extinguisher. ZERO mile car.

Note - Lotus nose-badge has been refitted since photos were taken!

There are others for sale at over £30k. I am looking for offers substantially less than this. Car can be seen in Yorkshire, and delivery anywhere UK mainland can be arranged by mutual agreement.

I can supply further photos, but if you're even half serious about buying, you'll already know what a very shiny Lotus 51 is like anyway and you'll come and look - which I'd prefer.

REDUCED: OFFERS aorund £26,000

SORRY - NOT INTERESTED IN  ANY SORT OF PART EXCHANGE - THANK YOU.

Mobile:  07920517987   (08:00 - 19:00 only please)

Email: LotusF3@icloud.com

Keyword Search Terms: