1967 Costin-Nathan GT For Sale by Auction

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

Viewing: Tues 8th April from 12pm
Auction: Wed 9th April from 9am

Location: IWM Duxford Airfield, Cambridge CB22 4QR

1967 Costin-Nathan GT
Olympia International Racing Car Show displayed & first production

Estimate
£190, 000 - £210, 000

Registration No: N/ A
Chassis No: GT66023
MOT: N/ A

Subject to a comprehensive restoration
Fibreglass body with all wooden monocoque
998 cc Hillman Imp engine allied to Jack Knight 5-speed gearbox
c. 110 bhp at 8400 rpm
An engineering genius, Frank Costin was instrumental in the success of both Vanwall and Lotus. Intrigued by a visit to the workshops of former Lotus chief mechanic Willie Griffiths where he encountered a tuned 1-litre Hillman Imp engine that developed 96bhp but, with a Jack Knight gearbox attached, Costin entered into talks with Griffths' new employer Roger Nathan about using the lightweight drivetrain as the basis for a sports racer. Better known for his exploits aboard a Lotus Elite and Brabham BT8, Nathan was already familiar with Costin's work having campaigned a Marcos Gullwing at the Nurburgring 1, 000km in May 1964. Not dissimilar to the Lotus 23 rival that Costin had designed for Jim Diggory but which was subsequently raced by Dr Norbert McNamara in America, the Costin-Nathan Works Prototype made its public debut at the Dorchester Hotel on London's Park Lane in early January 1966. Roger Nathan would go on to enjoy considerable success with it during 1966, the crowning glory of the season being victory in the Coupe de Paris on 25th September ahead of fierce Fiat-Abarth Works opposition.

Exactly a year on from the debut of the Prototype, being the first Costin-Nathan GT produced, this example was displayed at the Olympia International Racing Car Show. Featuring fibreglass GT bodywork in place of the Williams and Pritchard crafted alloy panels of the Prototype over a wooden monocoque, the lightness of the design (weight is c. 400kg) combined with the impressive power to weight ratio results in electrifying performance with the car reputedly capable of a 167mph top speed thanks also in part to the slippery Frank Costin designed bodywork.

Resurfacing a few years ago and purchased directly from H&H by its original designer and creator, Roger Nathan, the car was then subjected to a painstaking three year restoration by renowned marque expert Guy Sheppard at Rawlson Racing in Kent. Work was overseen by Roger and great care was taken to preserve the originality of the monocoque with only minimal work being needed on the tub. The original door channels and even hinges were also retained. Power comes from a highly tuned four-cylinder 998 cc Imp engine producing some 110 bhp allied to a Jack Knight five-speed transaxle Imp gearbox. Attention to detail throughout is quite simply breathtaking.

Following completion its first outing was a shake down test at Brands Hatch in July 2023 where any teething problems were identified and the car then performed well during a Silverstone test for Octane Magazine in February 2024 where it garnered appreciation, awe and praise in equal measure.

Now on the button and ready to race, this amazing slice of motor racing history has recently been displayed in the Silverstone Museum and is offered with FIA HTP papers.

** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**

Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.