Lotus Seven SB1290 Historical Update

Jacques here-
As you may have noticed from our September 21 post, our Craigslist find Lotus Seven that came to us last October was found to have raced in in the UK by the late John Bedford before being exported in late 1963.

At the time of our post, I included a shot of 'J.V. Bedford' passing off the arm sash to non other than Colin Chapman at the August 11, 1962 Silverstone 6 hr. Relay.

In early September, I reached out to the University of Leeds library, as they are the caretakers of Mr. Bedford's historical research. A head researcher there by the name of Rhiannon Lawrence-Francis was touched by my request for John's racing history, especially pertaining to a man who himself researched his entire life for his trade of antiques and 'dabbled' in motorsport in the early 1960s.

Rhiannon put me in touch with some of Mr. Bedfords friends and colleagues, who were all-to-happy to share what they knew of him, including 16 photographs, and photographing some of his trophies, which in turn led to more results due to what was engraved on them.

I can't help to think if John ever wondered what happened to his old Seven before his passing in 2019, and I'd like to think he'd be thrilled to know it still is around.

I'm so glad I sent an email to Leeds, as if I hadn't, I'd have never known so much about the car, and for that matter John Bedford.

Little did we know he painted it red as soon as it became a race car!

Special thanks to Ms. Lawrence-Francis, Paul Clarke, Richard Noye and Louise Goosen for their tremendous help in honoring John.