This car is the prototype of the common F1 and FJ design of 1960, the only one to wear aluminium bodywork (by Maurice Gomm). Although the first car built of this design, it was subsequently built up in FJ spec as the last of 4 such specified cars and one of only 2 FJ cars still running. The intended F1 car incorporated a Climax 1.5 litre engine for the new 1961 regs, but in 1960 this was the F2 engine size. It is thought that this car debuted in F2 spec at Montlhery where it (in)famously put up spectacular laptimes in catching the field after a spin, impressing the Ecurie Nationale de Belge sufficiently to order these cars for their 1961 F1 team. It subsequently transpired that these laptimes were due to missing out the chicanes at the back of the circuit! In current ownership since 2011 it has been subject to a full restoration by Dan Setford and Roach Manufacturing. Formula Junior is an open wheel formula racing class first adopted in October 1958 by the CSI (International Sporting Commission, the part of the FIA that then regulated motorsports). The class was intended to provide an entry level class where drivers could use inexpensive mechanical components from ordinary automobiles. The idea to form the new class came from Count Giovanni "Johnny" Lurani who saw the need of a class for single-seater racing cars where younger drivers could take their first steps. It is often speculated that this class was founded as a reaction to Italy's lack of success in the 500cc Formula Three, and although Italian marques dominated the first year of the formula, they were soon overtaken by British constructors.
