1962 Lotus Type 22 Monoposto

The Lotus Type 22 served as the replacement for the highly successful Type 20 design for 1962. The company's policy at the time was to implement annual upgrades to its model line. Improvements included a much stiffer multi-tubular space frame which used a thicker gauge metal, a double-skinned bulkhead and other chassis improvements to enhance rigidity. Outboard Girling disc brakes were standard. In the front, the suspension remained largely unchanged, while at the rear the suspension followed the practice of the Type 21 Formula One design, with the driveshafts not being used as the upper location point for the suspension and with the addition of an upper camber link.

The new Type 22 was powered by the 1100cc Ford Cosworth MKVI engine which was placed in the chassis at a 30-degree angle on the right side to lower the bodywork for improved aerodynamics. All told, the car was capable of producing 100 horsepower.

Many believe the Type 22 to be the most successful of all Junior designs. This belief was cemented during the 1962 season when Peter Arundell scored 18 wins from 25 starts, including the Monaco Grand Prix warm-up race. This accomplishment remains a record for the highest number of wins in a single season by one car in any FIA-sanctioned international racing series.

Chassis 22 J 5
This car was dispatched to New York Lotus dealer Sy Kaback's Grand Prix Imported Cars. Some reports suggest this car was raced by Lotus before being sold new to Kaback, but that history is not fully verified. The car was ordered with an oversized aluminum gas tank for use at Sebring. The car remained with the car until restoration started in 2008.

The history of the interim years is not fully known. In 2008, it appeared at Bonham's November auction that featured the John Dawson-Damer Collection of Lotus Racing Single-Seaters. An Examination of the original chassis frame determined that it was in need of replacement. It had served its purpose and was beyond its intended use as a competitive front-line contender. Therefore a new frame was constructed. The restoration took over four years to complete. The Richardson engine was a spare built for a friends' Type 27 and this has been taken apart and repaired. The motor has seen only a five-lap shakedown run at Portland International Raceway in July of 2013. The car is finished in Linden Green.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2013