Lotus’ first F1 racecar to go under the hammer

A vehicle said to be one of the most important racers in the entire history of Great Britain will cross the auction block in Monaco on May 10, 2024.

It is the Lotus-Climax Type 12 bearing the chassis number 353 that Lotus took to the Formula 1 season in 1958. The selling price is estimated between €290,000 and €390,000.

Designed by the Lotus brand founder, Colin Chapman, it was the first single-seat racecar in history. Originally built for the Formula 2, it scored several easy triumphs in 1957 and prompted the company to admit it to the highest Formula echelon.

Per the F2 regulations, the car was originally equipped with a 1.5-liter engine. Formula 1 rules allowed for vehicles with up to 2.5 liters of engine displacement, but Lotus simply didn’t have a suitable design at the time. Therefore, as it graduated from F2 to F1, the car received a displacement increase to 1,960cc (1.96 liters) from Coventry Climax. The team responsible for the rebuild argued that the new volume was quite enough for a car as lightweight as the Type 12.

A total of seven examples were made. The seller claims the one on sale was the original. It was allegedly piloted by Lotus racing driver Graham Hill, who would later become a double world champion. It happened during the BRDC International Trophy event at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK on May 3, 1958. The event was not formally recognized as a Formula race, but was nonetheless held according to the same exact rules. Two weeks later, Lotus debuted in the F1 proper. The Type 12 proceeded to race for two more years, but never claimed any major prizes.

The chassis number 353 was acquired by a private racing driver after its career was officially over. It has changed multiple owners and countries since then. The listing claims the exotic vehicle is in excellent condition after a major refurbishment not long ago.