A few days ago would Ronnie PetersonSweden’s greatest Formula 1 star of all time, has turned 80.
During his career, the “Superswede” won 10 Formula 1 races, before he was killed in a crash at the Monza circuit in Italy in 1978, aged 34.
Now his Lotus Elan Plus 2 S 130-5 from 1972 is being auctioned.
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Got the car as a welcome gift
Most people probably associate Peterson with Lotus, and the blue Elan that is now for sale was given to him by the stable’s founder Colin Chapman.
The car was personally handed over by Chapman on 23 November 1972 after Ronnie signed to drive for the team for the 1973 season.
The five at the end of the model name signals that the car is equipped with a five-speed gearbox. In fact, Ronnie’s particular example was the first Lotus Elan Plus 2 to be equipped with one.
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Was taken to Formula 1 races
The car is sold by the auction house Iconic Auctioneers. In the documentation there are letters preserved which confirm that Ronnie used the car privately, and that it was often taken to Formula 1 races.
There is also a picture of Ronnie with the car in his driveway in England.
Ronnie with his Lotus at home in the driveway – Iconic Auctioneers
The condition of the Lotus is also preserved from when the car was new. It’s still painted the same blue it was when it was driven by Ronnie, and the driver’s door still has his name written in gold letters.
The auction starts on February 24, and the car is expected to go for between 50 and 60 thousand pounds, corresponding to between 660 and 790 thousand kroner.
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