One of the rarest Formula One cars of all times will return to racing after a 50-year absence at next month's Silverstone Classic in Britain.
The front-engined Scarab was the first American Formula One car, built by wealthy enthusiast Lance Reventlow, the son of Woolworths heiress Barbara Hutton and stepson of actor Cary Grant.
After success with sports cars, Reventlow decided to tackle Grand Prix racing and the Scarab single-seater made its debut at the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix.
But by the time the car was ready to race, Lotus and Cooper had made the switch to rear-engined designs and the Scarab was out-classed.
Chassis number three - now in the hands of British businessman and sports-car racer Julian Bronson - was one of the original trio of cars taken to Zandvoort in 1960, as a spare with no engine.
It was then bought by the late British entrepreneur and motorsport enthusiast, Tom Wheatcroft, in 1964, and spent many years in the Donington Collection.
The other two front-engined Scarabs are owned and raced by US enthusiast Don Orosco.
"I bought it from the Donington Collection," said Bronson, who hopes to have it ready for the Pre '61 Front-Engined Grand Prix Car races during the Silverstone Classic.
It will race with a 2.5-litre Offenhauser engine, which has been built in Cincinnati.
Bronson has been working flat out to get the car ready to race at the end of next month, and took delivery of the engine at the end of May.
He has had a replica set of bodywork made so that the original set can be safely stored away in case it gets damaged.
"It will run in exactly the same livery," said Bronson.
"It's going to be close, to be ready for Silverstone, but we should do it.
"I've always wanted a front-engined Grand Prix car and this is just about the last of them.
"It's just incredible; such an exciting car."
Motorsport: Front-engined beauty makes Classic return
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