1962 Lazenby (United Kingdom)

The Lazenby Special is a unique, hand-built sports car created by David Lazenby in 1962, during his early days working at Lotus. Having already crafted his first custom car while training as a mechanic in the RAF, Lazenby’s passion for design led him to embark on this ambitious project despite his modest salary. Unable to afford even a Lotus Seven kit, he persuaded the Works Manager at Lotus, 'Nobby' Clark, to give him a surplus Lotus 17 bodyshell. Lazenby then fabricated a bespoke, stronger spaceframe chassis from 1-inch tubing, influenced by but sturdier than the original Lotus 17 design.

This special car incorporated components from several Lotus models, including a Lotus 23-style swaged bulkhead, suspension parts from the Lotus 22 and 23, Lotus Elite hubs, and 45-spoke wire wheels. It also featured inboard rear disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering. Powered by a pre-crossflow Ford Cosworth engine paired with an MGA four-speed gearbox, the car was originally painted bright red and registered as ‘9584 UR’.

Lazenby sold the car in 1964 to Bob Sparshott, who worked with the Lotus Cortina program. The car passed through multiple owners, including Roger Simpson and later Alan Brownlee, who renamed it the 'Brownlee 17'. It gained prominence on the racing circuit, competing in the JCB Sports Car Series during the early 1970s. The car’s ownership history is colorful, with notable modifications including a Coventry-Climax FWE engine and gearbox transplant by Belgian doctor Pierre Haverland.

By the late 1990s, the car had undergone further changes, including a replacement body with flared wheel arches, wider rims, and additional racing upgrades. Though sold as a 'Lotus 17', further research confirmed its origins as Lazenby’s creation. The current owner, determined to restore the car’s historical significance, has repainted it to resemble the original bright red version, making it road legal once again. This one-of-a-kind historic Special is now offered with extensive documentation, including race results and original Lotus 17 bodywork.