£ 20,000

1952 EGS 500cc Formula 3 Monoposto - SOLD

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Description:

To be offered for auction by Bonhams at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

1952 EGS 500cc Formula 3 Monoposto
Chassis no. 01

• Built by motor engineer Eric Guest
• Unique one-off
• In-period competition history
• Registered with the 500 Owners Association
• Recent restoration to original specification

Footnotes

This unique Formula 3 racing car was built in 1952 by motor engineer and garage owner Eric Guest (EGS stands for 'Eric Guest Special') of Highway Motors, Redditch, Worcestershire. The EGS used a tubular chassis frame, Standard suspension, a JAP engine, a Royal Enfield gearbox, and Morris Eight brakes. The car is registered with the 500 Owners Association as number '35' and photographs it in action in the 1950s have been published in the Association's magazine (copies on file). The EGS is known to have competed at the Staverton sprint speed trials (1953-1955); the Commander Yorke Trophy (1955); Shelsley Walsh (1955); and Ragley Hall (1959). Further research may reveal more of its in-period competition history.

Eric Guest owned the car until March 1959 when Highway Motors sold it for £95, including the trailer, to a Mr Morgan of the Golden Lion Hotel, Bromsgrove (sales receipt on file). In 1970, Tim Cameron purchased the EGS and in 1974 mistakenly exhibited it at Beaulieu as an 'Iota'. The car was later sold (in 1982) to Roderick Jones of Moreton-in-Marsh, resurfacing in 1998 when Ewan Cameron of Cameron Engineering & Motor Sport discovered it in Bromyard.

Apparently, the car had been hidden away pending the conclusion of a divorce settlement! While owned by Ewan Cameron, the EGS was recorded in the 500 Owners Association Register as ex-R H Jones. Mr Cameron rebuilt most of the car, refurbishing the original JAP engine and Royal Enfield gearbox before selling it in 2002 to Martin Baylis, who continued the restoration. Mr Baylis was fortunate enough to be given an oil painting of the EGS, commissioned by Eric Guest from an artist friend, which following Eric's death had passed to a family member. This painting is included in the sale.

Since then many man-hours have been spent returning the EGS to its original design and set-up. The current vendor's intention was to take the EGS to a few sprint races, but he has now decided to concentrate on his other motor sport projects. The history file contains numerous 500 Association magazines documenting the EGS (including one with an article by Martin Baylis); letters with photographs that Martin Baylis managed to source from his local newspaper; photographs of Highway Motors premises before demolition; and a letter from the 500 Association's Duncan Rabagliati.

Estimate £20,000 - £30,000