Wanted: Lotus 32B Photos

[Steve Holmes]

Folks, I've had a request from a New Zealand Lotus enthusiast, who is trying to get the one-off Lotus 32B to NZ in early 2015 for the 50th anniversary of its 1965 Tasman Series championship win, driven by Jim Clark. This car was also raced by Jim Palmer, who went on to win the Gold Star with it.



Classic Team Lotus own the car now, and have said they'd be interested in sending the car to NZ, but only if its transported by air.



Obviously the cost to do this is going to be quite a lot, so the gentleman who has approached me has requested photos of the car as raced in NZ so he can present them with his written approaches to possible backers.

Can anyone here help?

[GD66]

The Pegasus annual had a few Euan Sargison goodies of the 32B in it, from memory.

[seaqnmac27]

Is this right?

[GD66]

That's his Brabham.

[seaqnmac27]

Ok, But these are definitely right, from said Pegasus annuals

[GD66]

[Kwaussie]

Is this the correct car?

[John H]

A poor photo I know but is this that same car?

[SPman]

Pukekohe, Jan 1966



I only wish it was in colour - it was a pretty little car.

[Cooper997]

Sorry not quite North or South Island New Zealand folks. But the right car and driver - 1965 Longford AGP/Tasman final round.

These are from slides I've only learnt how to scan in the last couple of weeks. So Steve's timing is impeccable.

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Stephen

[Rob Brown]

Thanks Steve and contributors for your efforts, there are some great pix of the lovely 32B there. Present owners of the car were initally reluctant starters to send it out for its' 50th, and have now decided against, sadly, for a number of reasons. A special car, driven by a special man, I was one of the lucky ones to see it in action back in '65.
Thanks again,
Rob Brown

[Grant Sprague]

Beautiful piks ..........never seen before ........... Jim was the man when I was a kid I remember dad coming into my bed room early one morn .. he was listening to the wireless ..... and gave me the bad news .. as years went on Ernie bought me a print in a frame of Jim winning at the Brick Yard for my birthday .. I wore it out just by looking at it

[stubuchanan]

Ok, But these are definitely right, from said Pegasus annuals

The car looked a little different in Palmer's ownership. According to a recent article in (NZ) "Classic Driver", Palmer said " We modified the engine-cover on the Lotus 32. We thought it looked ugly with that funny back on it so we cut it around, put a hole in the top and flattened it off a bit. It didn't make it go any better but it looked good".

Not very obvious from this December 1965 Pukekohe photo, but the rool hoop is visible now and more of the right rear wheel too. If you look carefully! Sorry about quality of the slide, but it is nearly 50 years old.



Stu

[John McKechnie]

Stu- any guesses how the roll hoop was attached- was it welded or bolted in?

[kiwi285]

Steve, if there are any photos on the 32b in amongst mine you are more than welcome to pass them on.

Would be fantastic to see that car here in NZ.

Was talking to the Classic Team Lotus mechanics at the Goodwood FOS earlier this year and telling them about being able to go into the pits and talk to Jim Clark about F1 and the Tasman series. They had heard some of the stories and had had a good laugh about the goings on in NZ during the Tasman series each year.

[Oldfart]

In the book of my photos which Steve has there is a very close picture of Jim Clark in the "paddock" grandstand side of the track.
As we (2 friend and I) hung about we were asked if we could help out and I ended up carrying spare wheels for him from the paddock across the track to his pit space!

[Rob Brown]

Yes Grant, I remember that April Monday morning all too well. Heard the news on the radio, didn't finish my breakfast, off to school in a right ol' state.........My mother was impressed that the man could be such an inspiration to a boy, and he surely was to so many lads around the world, but we were particularly lucky here in NZ.