This Lotus was purchased by Auckland Star journalist John Wilson who spent a family inheritance on memorable parties in Auckland and the Manawatu and dabbling in motorsport. He had the car prepared by Stuart Lister and colleagues at his Anglesea Street, Hamilton garage and the Lotus had numerous midnight test runs at speed around the back streets of Hamilton's business district. Motordrome Racing Team member Brian Innes leased the Lotus for his one-off single-seater race during which he crashed at Pukekohe, resulting in his 'Lotus limp'.