1961 Lotus 20 Monoposto

This Lotus began its European racing history by masquerading as a 1965 Formula 1 BRM.

This Lotus was sold new in California by Jay Chamberline, a Lotus Agent, to F. Harris on April 29, 1961. After a brief racing history, the car was sold to the Jim Russell Racing School in 1965. Subsequently, it, along with other Lotus Formula Juniors, was leased by the Jim Russell Racing School to Director John Frankenheimer for use in his 1966 film 'Grand Prix.' Lotus #20J887 was fitted with a mock-up BRM body and wheels, and driven by James Garner in the film. Because of James Garner's size the seat in the Lotus cockpit had to be removed and replaced with only a towel over the aluminum fuel tank. And because the relatively small Cosworth Mk. IV engine lacked F1 horsepower, gasoline was poured on the rear wheels in order to make them spin and smoke at the start of each race in the film. The BRMW body was subsequently removed and sold to some unknown individual after the filming was completed. Lotus #20J887 has the distinction of being one of the few Formula Juniors to have ever been driven on all the 1965 Formula 1 tracks, including Monaco, Monza, Spa, Nurburgring, Silverstone, Watkins Glen, even though it was only in a movie.

After completion of the filming of 'Grand Prix,' the car was returned to the Jim Russell Racing School where it remained as a student car until being sold in 1987 to Gary Pearson, who restored it for competitive racing. In 1989, Lotus #20J887 was driven by Chris Alford to a 3rd place podium finish at the Lenham Formula Junior Championships. Subsequently, the car was sold to Antonio Sabato (not the actor in the 1966 movie) in Ontario, Canada in 1992, where it was campaigned for several years at race venues including Mosport, Watkins Glen, Shannonville, Waterford Hills and Roebling road.

On May 14, 2015, Lotus #20J887 was purchased by its current owner. Since then, it has been rebuilt and restored to FIA specifications for competitive racing as a Formula Junior. On November 7, 2015, the car was driven by its owner to a 6th place finish in the United States Vintage National Championships at the Circuit of the Americas. On February 21, 2016, the car was driven to a 2nd place finish at the Corinthian Vintage Auto Races at the Texas World Speedway. On November 6, 2016, the car was driven to a 3rd place podium finish at the United States Vintage National Championships at the Circuit of the Americas.