Which is Bruce's Lotus?
Sir,
I was saddened some months ago to read of the death of Bruce Halford.
Your recent pictures in Motor Sport of Lotus 16s brought back fond memories of him. In the 1980s, I was working for Barry Simpson Engineering, near Newton Abbott, restoring a great variety of cars, from Austin 7s to a Cadillac two-seat coupé for Mick Jagger — or so we were told.
During this period, Bruce visited the works on several occasions, wanting odd jobs done for his Lotus 16.1 was lucky, being the only restorer who had an interest in racing. I was asked to assist at test sessions with Barry’s Cooper-Bristol, which led to me becoming part of Bruce’s crew at race meetings. I remember one long weekend when he and I did the VSCC meeting at Silverstone on the Saturday and the classic meeting Montlhéry on the Sunday. Yes, he won every race he entered and a great time was had by all — mind you, Monday was a bit quiet!
All this aside, I’d like to know which of the current Lotus 16s is the ex-Halford car? There were two running in those days — Bruce’s had plain alloy rims on the yellow wheels, whereas the other one had all-yellow wheels.
I am, Yours etc,
Robert Mummery, Colwyn Bay, North Wales