1960 Lola Mark-1Climax Sports-
Racing Two-Seater Chassis no. BR27B

- Eligible for a wide variety of historic motorsports events (Goodwood, Le Mans Classic, Spa ..)
- Period documented race history
- 1ofapprox.38built
- Featured in Lola’ sFirs tMark 1book by David Pratley
- Fresh engine & gearbox rebuilt
- FIA HTP valid to 2029
- Goodwood 2025 Member’s Meeting Entry

From humble beginnings, Lola Cars quickly built a winning reputation, growing into a dominant force in world motorsport. The story began in 1958 when the prototype Mk1 sports racer emerged from a garage behind the Broadley family's tailoring shop in Bromley, Kent. Eric Broadley, alongside his cousin Graham and engineer Rob Rushbrook—who manufactured the first customer production models—spearheaded Lola’s early success.
Following the Mk1’s achievements, Lola introduced the front-engine Formula Junior Mk2, setting the stage for even greater milestones.
By 1962, the company had entered Formula 1 with the mid- engined Mk4 chassis, powered by Coventry-Climax engines—first the four-cylinder FPF, then the FWMV V8. Multiple World Champion motorcyclist John Surtees led the Bowmaker Yeoman Credit-backed équipe, securing a landmark victory in the 2000 Guineas race at Mallory Park, where he outpaced legends like Jim Clark, Graham Hill, and Jack Brabham. This was followed by two impressive second place finishes in the British and German Grands Prix.
Surtees’ performances caught Ferrari’s attention, earning him a works drive for 1963. The following year, he cemented his place in motorsport history by becoming the 1964 Formula 1 World Champion.

Chassis number BR27B

Chassis number BR27 was originally supplied to David Hitches, who crashed the car early in its life. The damaged chassis was replaced with a new frame, though it is believed that the original was later recovered. The replacement chassis—at this stage without the 'B' designation—was acquired by Nairn Ferrier of Dundee, who fitted it with a Coventry Climax FPF engine and converted the car to disc brakes.
In 1963, the Lola passed to well-known club racer Johnny Blades and later to Tommy Sleigh. It was subsequently owned by Denis Kingham of Northern Ireland, who crashed it into the wall of a public house at Dunboyne (see photograph on file). Following this accident, the car was sold to and rebuilt by Lola aficionado Mike Fraser during the winter of 1965/66. Using the Lola factory jigs, specialist chassis manufacturer Arch Motors of Edmonton, North London, fabricated a new frame from the dashboard forward. Several modifications and innovations were incorporated during the rebuild, including alterations to the front suspension to create anti-dive and adjustable camber. The rear suspension was redesigned with adjustable radius rods and wishbones, allowing for further refinement of the geometry settings. Additionally, a modified Morris Minor steering rack replaced the original unit.
Fraser, who owned several Coventry Climax engines, installed a unique ex-Warwick Banks FWA Stage III engine, bored to 1,149cc. This engine combined an FWB block with FWA internals, offering exceptional durability despite a slight weight penalty. An external oil filter was mounted in the airstream behind the radiator, while a 71⁄4" Borg & Beck clutch with competition linings and springs ensured reliable power transfer. An MGA gearbox transmitted power to a 4.875:1 differential housed within a Lola magnesium casing. The car ran on Lola magnesium alloy wheels, with Dunlop 5.00Lx15 R6 Green Spot tyres at the rear and 4.50Lx15 tyres at the front.
For the bodywork, Fraser opted for fiberglass upper panels and aluminium lower sections. Breaking from Lola tradition, he painted the chassis pale blue, simply because he had leftover paint from another job. The chassis number's 'B' suffix was suggested by Dick Samuelson, Lola’s Works Manager, who felt the car’s rebirth deserved a unique identity. To mark this, Samuelson crafted and presented Fraser with a new chassis plate, officially designating the car as BR27B.

Upon completion, Fraser entered the car in several events across the UK before selling it to Vaughn Midgley, who campaigned it from approximately 1965 to 1969. The Lola then passed to Ian Holliday, who retained it until 2006, when it was acquired by John Monson. A comprehensive overhaul was undertaken by historic racing specialists Hall & Hall in 2007/2008, ensuring the car was in peak condition for Monson’s active participation in historic racing over the next five seasons.
The car’s history is well documented, with supporting correspondence from previous owners and an entry in Lola's First: The Definitive History of the Mark 1 by David Pratley (copy extract on file). Currently fitted with a 1,097cc Coventry Climax FWA engine, this race-ready and well-documented Lola Mk1 is offered with FIA/HTP papers and two extensive history files
Race History of Chassis BR27B

1961 Season
Roskilde Grand Prix (Denmark) – August 27, 1961
• Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB)
• Class: S1.6
• Car Details: Lola Mk1 #BR27B
• Result: Unknown
WJC Charterhall – September 24, 1961
• Event: Car & Motorcycle Race Meeting
(Charterhall, UK)
• Race 1 (Racing Class)
o Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB)
o Class: R+1.0
o Engine: Climax FWA L4 1098cc o Result: Started, result unknown
• Race 2 (S+1.6/S1.3C Class)
o Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB)
o Class: S1.3
o Engine: Climax FWA L4 1098cc o Result: 1st place in S1.3

1962 Season

BRSCC Rufforth – April 21, 1962
• Event: Sports & Racing Class (Rufforth, UK)
• Race 1 (Sports Racing - SR Class)
o Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB) o Engine: Climax
o Result: Winner
• Race 2 (Sports Racing - SR Class) o Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB)
o Engine: Climax
o Result: 2nd place
WJC Charterhall – April 29, 1962
• Event: Car & Motorcycle Race Meeting (Charterhall, UK)
• Race 1 (S+1.6/S1.3C Class)
o Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB)
o Engine: Climax FWA L4 1098cc
o Result: 2nd place overall, 1st in S1.3C • Race 2 (Racing Class)
o Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB)
o Class: R1.1
o Engine: Climax FWA L4 1098cc o Result: 3rd place

Silverstone International - May 12, 1962

• Event: 14th International Trophy Meeting (Silverstone, UK)
• Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB)
• Engine: 1216cc
• Result: Did not arrive
NDMC & BMRC Ouston – June 24, 1962
• Event: The Fourth Ouston Meeting (UK)
• Race 1 (S+1.6 Class)
o Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB)
o Result: Did not arrive • Race 2 (S1.6 Class)
o Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB) o Engine: 1475cc
o Result: Did not arrive
WJC Charterhall – July 1, 1962

• Event: Car & Motorcycle Race Meeting
(Charterhall, UK)
• Race 1 (S+1.6 Class)
o Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB)
o Engine: 1475cc
o Result: 2nd place in S+1.6 • Race 2 (Racing Class - R+1.1)
o Driver: Nairn Ferrier (GB) o Engine: 1475cc
o Result: 1st place in R+1.1

Spares

The car has returned from a complete engine and gearbox rebuild at Britec Motorsports Germany,
It comes with a comprehensive file of maintenance invoices, repair records, and a wide collection of period race photos. Additionally, a mold is available, along with a full set of body panels, extra wheels, a rear end, bonnet, and various suspension components

For more information or to arrange a viewing feel free to contact us