Classic Jim Clark Porsche Restored

A classic Porsche sports car which once caused problems for Scottish driving ace Jim Clark has been restored to its original glory after more than 40 years.

Clark was forced to sell when he joined the Lotus team in 1960 - he used the Porsche as his "domestic" car but Lotus bosses said it would be bad for the team's image if their main man was seen to prefer a German marque when he was off-duty.

At the time the Scots Grand Prix star likened it to parting with a dear friend.

What happened to it over the next 19 years is a mystery.

The Porsche 356,registration UUL 442,next surfaced when it was rescued from a scrapyard in 1979 for just £30.

But it was left to rot in a garage for the next 18 years following the owner's death.

Porsche enthusiasts Mike Smith and Tom Pead,from Essex,have now transformed the crumbling wreck back into the car which helped Clark become a world class driver.

Race enthusiasts at a recent motor show were thrilled to see it restored to its former glory after a 41-year absence from the track.

Mike Smith said he could not believe how much work had to be done on the Porsche.He had known the whereabouts of the car for years,but had never been able to buy it off the owners.

"When we finally did buy it,it had corroded terribly and wasn't worth the sum of its parts.But it was such a special car with a great history,that Tom and I felt compelled to restore it properly" he said.

Mr Smith part-owns nine classic Porsches,and he believes this experience played a part in him acquiring the car in the first place.

"The previous owners only sold the car to us because they knew that we were serious about restoring the car properly and in a way that it deserves,and of course because of our love for the Porsche."

In a bid to restore the car as close to its early condition as possible,the pair sought help in obtaining original factory parts, and were amazed at the response.

"The Porsche 356 world is very close-knit, and we are so grateful for all the donations of parts that came in.

"Once they knew which car we were restoring,they couldn't support us quickly enough because the car is worthy of it" said Mr Smith who received help from people in America and Germany as well as in the UK.

When the new owners were invited to show the car at a recent meeting,they knew they had to get it done in time.

Mr Smith explained "It should have taken 14 months to restore,but we managed to do it inside eight months,which was pretty amazing.

"A metal expert in Essex spent a solid four and a half months on the metalwork,the engine was sent to Watford,and myself and Tom spent day and night on the assembly of the car.In the last two months,it completely took over my life!"

What made the meeting extra special was that the parade driver was Ian Scott-Watson,aged 70,Jim Clark's mentor and the person who sold the car to him in the first place.

The other half of the restoration duo,Tom Pead,was overwhelmed by the crowd's response to the classic motor.He said "There was incredible interest in the car."

The pair now plan to race the car in several events around Europe,which with no prize money,will prove to be expensive.But they don't mind - they do it "for the love of it."