Rare Ligier sports-racer back after 27 year rest

En route to entering Grand Prix racing as a constructor in 1976, French Formula One privateer of the mid-1960s Guy Ligier built and raced successful sports-prototypes designed by Michel Tetu.

Ligier drove the unique open JS3, powered by a 3-litre Cosworth DFV engine, to victory in the 1971 Spring Cup at Montlhery. He also finished second, with Patrick Depailler, in the Le Mans test weekend’s three hour race, but gearbox problems struck in the 24 Hours, after which the car was parked.

The aluminium honeycomb chassis, owned by Ligier’s first F1 driver Jacques Laffite since it left the works, has been acquired by Ferrari racer Nicholas Zapata through dealer Roger Cowman, with the intention of running it in the European Sports Prototype Championship. Despite it not having turned a wheel in 27 years, it is hoped to get the car on track by the end of this season. MP