1986 Argo JM19 Group C Racer

Argo Racing Cars Ltd. is a British racing constructor founded by Swiss designer, Jo Marquart, and British mechanic, Nick Jordan, as part of their Anglia Cars racing team in the 1980s. The company initially constructed a variety of open-wheel carsil' spoiler and those BBS style alloys. The car has had just two owners, is showing 92,000 miles on the odometer and comes with some history. for national and international Formula Three as well as the Formula Atlantic and Formula Super Vee series. The company later built sports prototypes for the World Sportscar Championship's C2 class and the North American IMSA GT Championship's IMSA Lights category, winning several championships.

Argo Racing Cars was later purchased by David Sears of David Sears Motorsport fame, and their former headquarters housed his Super Nova Racing team for a period. The Argo Racing Cars name was resurrected in recent years for use in the now defunct A1 Grand Prix championship, where they supported A1 Team Lebanon and A1 Team India.

The wonderful JM19-C former IMSA Lights car offered here is Chassis number #008, the Ex-Bobby Brown, No. 65 car sporting Buick and Delco livery from the 1987 500 kilometre races in Atlanta and Mid-Ohio. Discovered by chance on a trip to the Mosler Headquarters at Riviera Beach, Florida in 2004, the vendor, with enlisted help from recognised marque experts has set about the sympathetic restoration to produce what is now a tested, competitive and budget entrant to Group C with place claims.

When discovered, the car was complete but required re-engineering. It was rolling, the electrics worked, the engine had even been rebuilt and would start, but there was a reluctance to engage gear until the car had been thoroughly checked. Having seen enough to sufficiently interest him, a price was agreed and the vendor brought the car back to the UK. Upon arrival on UK shores the car was entrusted to a small independent firm of engineers near Snetterton. The project became a labour of love for the mature engineer here who set about recommissioning the vehicle. Attention was mostly concentrated on the tub which was damaged on the offside, re-riveting the panels and the enhancement of the rollcage which the vendor specified he wanted strengthened - at this time, he anticipated preparing the car for his sons to race. Respected engineer David "Hillbilly' Hills was called upon to inspect the V6 Buick Engine which was presumably prepared at the Floridian Mosler headquarters. We are faithfully informed that after taking apart the engine to test it was fresh; "Hillbilly' concluded that "this looks a bit of kit...". Praise indeed for a car which boasts dyno reports confirming a 4.4 engine delivering some 440bhp.

Though more than four years had passed to get to this stage - the delay occurring due to the vendors' acquisition of a brace of F1 Arrows cars for restoration - Chassis #008 was beginning to look more like a racecar. With everything now either rebuilt or refurbished, the components were next taken to renowned Group C Racing experts Phil Stott Motorsport who have more than 30 years' experience in preparing, restoring and racing Group C motorcars. Phil and his team were tasked with constructing the sum of the cars parts to a competitive entry. This was achieved by 2009 when the car was completed, x-rayed, and tested with 12 laps of Donington prior to what was intended to be a competitive season in 2010. Sadly, that wish never materialised and with interests now lying in other areas of Motorsport, the vendor offers Chassis #008 for sale this summer.

With values of some Group C race cars approaching dizzying heights in the hundreds of thousands, there is no doubt that the car offered here, with stamp of approval from Phil Stott Motorsport, is perhaps the most sought-after entry into a racing series which is experiencing a great resurgence. Ron Maydon, Founder and President of Masters Racing Series who this year began a series for Group C cars assures us that chassis #008 would be welcome in their series and Group C Racing are already running IMSA cars, so no issues there.

We invite all interested parties to contact us with any detailed questions you may have concerning the technical specification of this car and for confirmation of what is included in the modest spares package which accompanies this Lot.