Lotus 20 Formula Junior

History

Update: The Lotus finished 3rd overall in the Formula Junior Feature Race at the 2024 Velocity Invitational at Sonoma Raceway. This was the first time this driver ever drove the Lotus. Together they bested Lotus 22’s, 27’s, Cooper T59’s, and the Stanguellini that won Monaco. This Lotus is a great car, and a tremendous bargain. Please call us to discuss. You will not be disappointed on any level.

This Lotus 20 Formula Junior was originally registered to the Canadian Automobile Sport Club in Ontario Canada (CASC). The CASC was founded in 1958, and was affiliated with the Royal Automobile Club of Great Britain until 1967. Thereafter they were recognized by the FIA as the governing body of motorsport in Canada, and became a full member of the FIA. The CASC has confirmed that the plaque that is affixed to this chassis is of the original early club design and is legitimate. The registration number indicates that it was registered/first raced in Ontario, Canada. 

Ownership history:

Doug Fisher – Ontario, CN: Pre-1986

Steven Burnett – Toronto, CN

Richard Kresch – New York, NY 

New England Classics – Stratford, CT 

Richard Ruff – Greenbrae, CA: 1988-1994

Walter Thomason, Oakland, CA: 1994-2001

Carl Moore – Carmel, CA: 2001-2011

Ed Nigro – Monterey, CA: 2011-2023

Carl Moore – Carmel, CA: 2023-2024

The Lotus has been raced in vintage races for the past 30+ years by Richard Ruff, Walter Thomason, Carl Moore and Ed Nigro. Most recently the Lotus raced at the 2022 Monterey Pre-Reunion where it finished 2nd overall (See Dave Hagan’s Lotus 22 YouTube video below showing this Lotus 20 starting 3rd and finishing second), and the Monterey Reunion Formula Junior Feature, where the car finished 3rd and 4th overall against some of the top Formula Juniors in the country. 

This is the quickest, most successful early rear engine Formula Jr. on the U.S. West Coast and maybe even in the U.S. It has won numerous awards including The Presentation And Performance award at the Sonoma Wine Country Classic (twice). It has won the Rolex Award at the Monterey Historics. The Lotus has also won the Jack McKee award for exemplary restoration. To see more photos of the Lotus at speed, please go to TamsOldRacecarSite, SportsCarDigest, and Autosport.

Description

The Lotus received a new frame after a vintage racing accident. It does not have the original chassis tag or Arch Motors number. However, the original frame was retained after being stripped to rebuild the car on the new frame, and will be included with the sale of the car. 

The Lotus was previously maintained by John Anderson Racing, and has most recently been prepared by Omega Racing. 

Below is a list of work done to the Lotus 20 since its purchase from Carl Moore in 2011.

Tubular frame stripped to bare metal.

All welds X-rayed.

Frame primed and painted. 

Complete engine overhaul including purchase of new Goeff Richardson cylinder head complete with valves installed. 

Rebuilt and re-jetted Weber carbs

New Pertronix distributor

New stainless steel exhaust header and tail pipe

All fuel, water, and oil lines replaced.

New radiator

New starter motor

New electric fuel pump

Overhauled gearbox, including new differential, and new dogs and gears

New shocks and springs front and rear

New rear brake drums and Porterfield high temp racing brake shoes and pads.

All new brake/clutch master cylinders & wheel cylinders

Rebuilt front brake calipers

New 13 inch magnesium Wobbly wheels front and rear. Rear wheel size changed from 15 inch to 13 inch for better performance. The original 15 inch wheels come with the car.

New rear sway bar

New shift linkage to replace multi-joint system for better, more positive, shifting and to help eliminate missed shifts.

New battery

New paint 

Spares:

Extra wheels and tires

Spare gear ratios.

16-31

18-32

20-31

21-29 

The owner, a long time motorcycle and car racer, has decided to retire. He and the previous owner are friends and have traded this Lotus back and forth over the past two decades consistently running the car at the front of the Formula Junior grids. It is one of the quickest Formula Juniors in the U.S. and continually professionally maintained at a very high level.

The owner would like to see the car go to an enthusiastic new owner. If you are interested, please call Art at 707-328-2452, or email him at ahebert@MotorsportSMarket.com. Art has known this car, and its owners, for the past 30 years. This Lotus is even responsible for him getting married! But that’s another story…

All vehicle descriptions are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. Corrections, and supplemental information, are always welcome. Buyers are responsible for confirming vehicle histories, condition, and authenticity to their own satisfaction prior to purchase. Motorsports Market is not the owner of the vehicle and assumes no liability for errors and omissions.

(c) 1996-2024, Motorsports Market. All Rights Reserved.

Photos

Video

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