Jim Clark Motorsport Museum

Visit the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum and see a selection of Jim Clark’s most famous cars.

Our exciting arrival for this year is an example of the iconic Lotus 38 type in which Jim Clark won the Indianapolis 500 miles in 1965 – breaking records and shattering conventions. Returning to us in late September after touring Switzerland and visiting Goodwood will be an example of the iconic Lotus 38 type in which Jim Clark won the Indianapolis 500 miles in 1965 – breaking records and shattering conventions. It transformed Indy Car racing through its innovative construction and rear-engined designIt transformed Indy Car racing through its innovative construction and rear-engined design. Lotus 38/7 was built in 1966 and driven by Al Unser at that year’s Indy 500. He crashed out with 39 laps remaining, badly enough that the event had to be paused, and after being rebuilt the car was assigned to Jim. He took it to Japan in October 1966 for a 200 miles exhibition event inaugurating international motorsport there, but was unable to start the race after suffering engine trouble. Then in 1967 he drove it at the Indy 500, unfortunately having to retire with piston problems. 38/7 has been restored to its condition at the start of the Indy 500 in 1967 and won the RAC Award in 2019 for the quality and comprehensiveness of its refurbishment.

We currently also have 2 examples types from the early years of Jim’s professional career on temporary display. Lotus 23 sports cars were introduced in 1962 and Jim was at the wheel for their debut in the Nurburgring 1,000km. He raced into a 27 second lead on the opening circuit, but crashed out 12 laps on with carbon monoxide poisoning! They were then entered for the Le Mans 24 hours but controversially failed technical scrutineering. Lotus 22 Formula Junior cars appeared the same year and were an upgrade on the Lotus 18 with which Jim had won the British Formula Junior Championship in 1960. They were among the last single-seaters produced by Lotus before Colin Chapman introduced his revolutionary monocoque chassis designs. Both cars wear the legendary Lotus colour scheme of British Racing Green with yellow stripe and wheels.

Always a fans favourite the stunning Lotus Cortina JTW 497C was used by Jim Clark in saloon car races throughout 1965. It features several upgrades upon the standard Mk 1 Ford Cortina including BRM-enhanced 140bhp engine, close-ratio aluminium gearbox, coil springs on A-frame rear suspension, repositioned 20-gallon fuel tank and a rear anti-roll bar (ultimately not used). Its finest hour came during the St Mary’s Trophy at Goodwood in April when Jim steered it to victory over Ford Mustangs, Galaxies and Mini Coopers. Jim finished 7th for the championship and 3rd within Class C, adding another class win at Crystal Palace. Unfortunately his chances of retaining the British Saloon Car Championship title from 1964 were scuppered by a retirement, a disqualification, plus missing 2 events which clashed with the Syracuse Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 miles. JTW 497C has been restored to its 1960s racing condition.

We are extremely grateful to all the owners for the loan of their cars. Visitors are welcome to get up close and see these amazing racing machines, beautifully restored and exhibited under a vaulted ceiling, with backdrop of race artwork and soundtrack echoing a 1960’s race garage.

All the cars have interpretation panels, and you can view archive photos and clips on the garage interactive visitor terminal I-pad.

Did you know… Jim Clark is most closely associated with Lotus, but during his early career he also completed in other types such as Porsche, Jaguar, Triumph and Aston Martin race cars. You can find out more in our exhibition, film and trophy room areas and by using our interactives.