On April 7, the 1952/’53 Clairmonte Special Formula 2 car was sold at H&H Classic Car Auctions’ Buxton sale for £12,000. Considered by many to be a rare “barn find,” the Clairmonte Special is historically significant in that it is credited as being the first car completely designed and built by Lotus founder Colin Chapman, using parts of his own design and not proprietary pieces from Austin or Ford. Of particular interest is the car’s use of inboard rocker-arm-style suspension and aerofoil-type wishbones, which did not make its way onto a Lotus racecar for another 13 years with the introduction of the Lotus 25.
