Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Lovely Bayne Motors Zoomer
s/n BAZ3A
Dark Green Metallic with Black Interior

The Zoomer was a unique collaboration between Formula 1 racing driver Pete Lovely and his business partner Stephen Bayne, with whom he had a decades long friendship during which time they owned a number dealerships, including the Ferrari dealership Grand Prix Motors. Lovely was a lifelong car enthusiast and businessman, as well as a racer. In fact, he won the first race ever held at Laguna Seca in 1957. He subsequently went on to race in Formula 1, driving a Lotus 16 in 1959, a Cooper T45 in 1960, a Lotus 49B in 1969 and 1970, and a Lotus 69 Special in 1971. In later years, he was an active vintage racer, and his racing career spanned over fifty years.

The story of the Zoomer dates to 1963, when Lovely and Bayne decided pursue the idea of building a Lotus 7 type vehicle that would offer more sophisticated chassis and higher performance. One of the key differences would be the inclusion of fully independent suspension, which they achieved with rocking lever front wishbones and independent rear suspension with Salisbury 4HU differential from an E-Type. Lovely had enough funds to pursue the project from his VW-Porsche dealer in Tacoma, Washington, and they began design and construction work in the United Kingdom in late 1964 to capitalize on the well-developed chassis design expertise. Progress Chassis built the chassis, while Racing Frames did the suspension. Williams and Pritchards built the aluminum body. The engine and transmission were sourced from AC cars and is a 260cid V8 that was originally installed in a Cobra, but then removed because the 289cid engine had superseded the 260, making the 260 that ended up in this car redundant. The T-10 transmission also came from AC Cars. A unique cross over header system was fitted, which gives the engine an extremely unusual sound, lacking the usual thumper characteristics of a 90 degree cross plane crank American V8.

The car was transported to Seattle, where it was painted, and the top and interior fitted. Finishing touches were put on the car, and it was started for the first time in the Spring of 1967. By this time, the DOT regulations were very much in effect, and it was clear that it would be necessary to crash test the car if it were to be sold in volume, and so it remained a one-off, and Pete Lovely retained the car until his death in 2011, driving it just 415 miles.

In the Spring of 2013, the car was sold from Lovely’s estate to an appreciative collector in “as found” condition, and has since seen extensive mechanical freshening by restoration experts Phil Reilly & Co., totaling $41,115.13 between October 2013 and April of 2014. The car had not been run in many years, so the ignition system was freshened, a new battery fitted, the fluids changed, and the car started right up. The work also included some further resolution to the fitment and operation of the body and top, executed to Phil Reilly & Co.’s typically high standards. The brakes were also rebuilt, and the driveline components magnafluxed and repaired as needed. The rear uprights were rebuilt, the front suspension ball joints replaced, the sub axles re-engineered. The coolant hoses and brake lines were replaced, the carburetor rebuilt, all four wheel cylinders replaced, the calipers rebuilt and the master cylinders replaced. The fuel pump was also replaced, the U-joints replaced, the fuel tank restored, and a new fuel filler neck system designed and fabricated. The car was also rewired as necessary using correct English type terminals, sheathing, and boots and preserving as much of the original wiring as possible and fitting new conduits. An electric cooling fan was also added, the strut assemblies rebuilt, the water pump rebuilt. Countless other items were addressed, all aimed at maintaining the original style of construction while making the car usable and easily serviced in an intuitive manner.

All work was performed in as sympathetic a manner as possible, and the car retains its original interior and paint, which are in well-preserved original condition. The paintwork is in very good original condition, with some minor stone chips, stars, and some rub marks from the panel operation. The paint still has good luster. The brightwork is very nice, as are the glazing and lights. The cars has Lucas headlamps and the switches and instrumentation will be familiar to any vintage British car enthusiast.

The interior is simple and Spartan and in largely original condition. The original upholstery has been preserved and is in good shape. The dashboard is simple in execution and is well instrumented. The wood steering wheel is in very nice condition as well. The engine compartment is purposeful and fairly clean in very nice original condition like the rest of the car. The exhaust system is fascinating and gives the car a unique sound.

This is a completely unique opportunity to acquire an interesting piece of automotive history. The result of a collaboration between lifelong friends and car enthusiasts, this car poses an interesting “what if” and remains an intriguing car today. It has covered less than 450 miles from new and is in very well-preserved original condition and has also benefitted from over $40,000 of recommissioning work in the capable hands of Phil Reilly & Co.

Please note that an application for title has been submitted by the owner of this car and it is expected to come with California title.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608