1958 Lotus

In the late 1950’s Colin Chapman was just breaking onto the scene in Formula 1. Graham Hill was the leading driver for the team and the Lotus 16 was Chapman’s design for 1958. 

The car wasn’t as competitive as the Ferrari’s and Vanwall’s but Chassis 363 was the car that took both Hill and Team Lotus to their first World Championship points at Monza with a 5th placed finish. 363 enjoyed a long "works" life with Hill and Alan Stacey also drove the car at the 1958 British Grand Prix.

At the end of the 1958 season privateer David Piper purchased the car and he ran it in F1 and F2 events across Europe. Piper also competed in his only Grand Prix at Aintree in 59.

By 1961 the car was dated and uncompetitve due to the rear end revolution. The car was sold to John Le Sage who raced it in occasional VSCC Events.

In 1967 Tom Wheatcroft purchased the car and it remained in the Donington collection until purchased by the current owner in 2010. Since then, it has been restored by Lotus specialist Neil Twyman Ltd and currently runs with a 2.2litre FPF engine. On it's debut race at Silverstone Classic in 2012 the car won the HGPCA Pre 61 event ahead of 2 other Lotus 16's.

363 is widely regarded as the most original surviving Lotus 16 in existance. It is a significant car in the history of one of the greatest Formula 1 teams ever and eligible today for all the best events, including Monaco and Goodwood Revival.