Description:

• Believed to be Roger Keele's 1970 Works Palliser WD3 Formula 3 chassis, competing against James Hunt, Carlos Pace and Wilson Fittipaldi

• DTW-built 1,600cc Ford Twin Cam producing 182bhp, fitted with Weber 45 DCOE carburettors 

• Eligible in Formula 3, Formula Atlantic and Formula Ford specification, offering exceptional versatility for historic competition 

Established in 1968 by renowned designer Len Wimhurst, formerly of Lola and Brabham, together with racing driver and airline pilot Hugh Dibley, Palliser Racing Design quickly established itself as one of Britain's most innovative independent racing car constructors. Combining Wimhurst's engineering expertise with Dibley's racing experience, the company produced a series of lightweight, highly competitive single-seaters that achieved success in Formula Ford, Formula 3 and Formula Atlantic. Although production numbers remained modest, Palliser's beautifully engineered chassis and outstanding handling characteristics earned the marque an enduring reputation, with surviving examples now highly sought after within historic motorsport.

The company's first design was a Formula B chassis developed primarily for the North American market. This was followed by the WDF1 Formula Ford in 1969, the revised WDF2 in 1970 and, later that same year, the marque's first Formula 3 design, the WD3. Making its debut in April 1970, the WD3 was entrusted to rising talent Roger Keele, who had already enjoyed considerable success in the EMC Championship. Powered by a Broadspeed engine and backed by Lumo Cars Ltd, the factory development car competed throughout the 1970 British Formula 3 season against one of the strongest junior racing grids ever assembled. Keele found himself racing wheel-to-wheel with future Formula One World Champion James Hunt, Grand Prix winner Carlos Pace, Wilson Fittipaldi, Jean-Pierre Jarier, Mike Beuttler and Tom Walkinshaw – a remarkable reminder of an era when tomorrow's Formula One stars honed their craft in beautifully engineered one-litre Formula 3 machinery. During the season, Keele recorded an excellent second-place finish at Castle Combe, finishing ahead of future Formula One Grand Prix winner Carlos Pace.

Offered here is an exceptionally rare Palliser WD3, chassis 01 AM70, one of only a handful of Formula 3 cars constructed by the factory for the 1970 season. According to extensive research carried out by the Palliser-Winkelmann Registry and OldRacingCars, this chassis is believed to be the original Roger Keele works Formula 3 car, developed during the final year of the 1-litre Formula 3 regulations before evolving into Formula Atlantic specification with a Ford Twin Cam engine at the end of the season for display during a Formula Atlantic demonstration in December 1970.

Throughout its life, the car has remained a fascinating and well-documented part of the Palliser story. It was later owned by Roger Keele's brother, Tony Keele, who campaigned the car in Formula Atlantic specification between 2004 and 2013 with considerable success. More recently, the Palliser became a familiar sight at Prescott Hill Climb before being sold in 2019, enjoying further use in historic competition. The chassis has also been successfully campaigned in Formula Ford 1600 specification, demonstrating the remarkable versatility of Len Wimhurst's design.

Now offered for sale solely due to the owner's age, this rare Palliser is powered by a DTW-built 1,600cc Ford Twin Cam engine, fitted with Weber 45 DCOE carburettors. Built in 2012, the engine produced an impressive 182bhp at 8,002rpm, providing performance befitting one of the most exciting Formula 3 chassis of its era.

Accompanying the car are four comprehensive history files that illustrate its fascinating provenance. These include extensive research into the chassis' history, period photographs, contemporary literature, race results, historic correspondence and documentation, together with setup sheets, gear ratio information and technical notes accumulated throughout its competition life. Collectively, they form an impressive archive that perfectly complements the car itself.

Eligible in Formula 3, Formula Atlantic and Formula Ford specification, this exceptionally versatile Palliser offers the rare opportunity to compete in three distinct historic racing categories from a single chassis. Whether destined for competitive historic racing, prestigious demonstration events or an important collection of significant British racing cars, this WD3 represents an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire one of Len Wimhurst's most significant designs. Offered with extensive documented history and outstanding provenance, it is a fascinating piece of British motorsport history that is equally at home on the grid as it is in a discerning collection.

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