1960 Sadler Formula Junior Monoposto
Chassis no. n/a

'A front-engined car built by Bill Sadler of Sadler Cars in Ontario using BMC components and engine with offset transmission. It had a multi-tubular chassis, aluminium body, and wire wheels. An attractive looking car, almost "Vanwall" in appearance, particularly around the cockpit.' ? Bernard Cowdrey, Formula Junior Racing Cars Remembered.

As its name so aptly suggests, Formula Junior - announced in 1958 - was the main 'feeder' racing class for Formula 1 and other more senior forms of motor sport in the early 1960s. This car is was one of a batch of approximately twelve Formula Junior cars built in Canada by Bill Sadler, of which it is believed half still exist. Bill Sadler's father owned Sadler Auto Electirc, and his son was an enthusiastic modifier and builder of cars from his teenage years. Later he built a number of racing sports cars, and was an early adopter of the small-block Chevrolet V8 and mid-engined layout. Sadler's Formula Juniors used a tuned version of the 1,098cc BMC A-Series engine, found in many of the British manufacturer's products, and its associated four-speed gearbox, both of which this car has.

This Sadler was purchased from the USA in 2009. When it arrived in the UK it had some inappropriate brake modifications, which were put back to Formula Junior specification. It was then used for two seasons after which a complete restoration was undertaken, the very strange nose cone being replaced with one closer to the original. The mould for this is included in the sale.

Following the restoration, which was completed in 2012, a friend of the vendor rang to say that Bill Sadler was restoring a Formula Junior and would like to visit to re-familiarise himself with the car as he had not seen one for many years. He was very pleased with the restoration and signed the bodywork to show his approval.

This Sadler was raced regularly for some years but has not been used for the last two seasons. We are advised that it is all in very good condition and that the engine has done fewer than 300 miles since being rebuilt, while the tyres have done approximately 550 miles. Competitive in its last race, this ultra-rare Canadian-built Formula Junior is eligible for various historic race series and events including Monaco and Goodwood.