Nicknamed Super Swede, Ronnie Peterson rose from karting to become a seriously talented Formula 1 driver. Driving for Team Lotus, led by the ever-charismatic Colin Chapman, he is still regarded by many as one of the fastest drivers in F1 history. This special Elan was given new to Ronnie Peterson by Colin Chapman in 1972 and represents a unique opportunity to acquire a historic Lotus...
A huge fan base still exists for Ronnie, who rose from karting to Formula 3 to become European Formula 2 Champion in 1972 and came closest to winning the Formula 1 World Championship in 1973 and 1978.
Peterson's untimely death was as unfortunate as it was tragic. After crashing at the start of the 1978 Italian Grand Prix he was pulled from his burning Lotus 78 by fellow drivers and taken to hospital with badly broken legs. A complication that night led to an embolism that robbed F1 of its hardest charger.
As well as its association with one of the fastest Formula 1 drivers of the 1970s, JPW 162L is chassis #1 - the first Elan Plus 2 that was fitted with the five-speed gearbox.
Within the extensive history file there is a letter stating that "the Lotus Elan unit number 1001L was supplied to Ronnie Peterson on 23/11/72". An extract from the Lotus dispatch book also confirms that this was supplied to Ronnie Peterson with engine number P28258 and supplied in the colour of Lagoon Blue. A further letter from Lotus states that Eddie Dennis, Peterson's chief mechanic, often drove the Elan to race meetings if Peterson was flying in to a circuit. A DVLA history of keepers includes a copy of the original, old-style, registration document and, although this shows that the car was registered to Lotus Cars Ltd. during Peterson's ownership, it does bear Peterson's signature with a date stamped 22nd Nov. 1972.
Still presenting in Lagoon Blue, it is in generally very good order throughout and still carries the same specifications with which it left the Lotus factory over 43 years ago.
With an estimate of £18,000 - £22,000 this car represents a fantastic opportunityto acquire a unique, historic Lotus associated with one of the fastest Formula 1 drivers of the 1970s, Ronnie Peterson.
It is going under the hammer at Historics at Brooklands' 11 June sale, view more photos and information here.
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