JPS Lotus Collectibles

Black and gold treasures

It’s been quite a while since John Player Lotus F1 cars plied the great tracks of the world. But the iconic black and gold colors of the team still means a lot to F1 fans. Especially those that cheered on Mario Andretti to his only Formula One World Championship. Certainly the JPS colors go back further than that. Emerson Fittipaldi made those colors famous on Lotus race cars when he won the 1972 World Championship with the “radical” Lotus 72. The oft-times revolutionary cars from the mind of Colin Chapman changed the face and technology of auto racing. That said, here’s some great JPS Lotus collectibles that will continue on the legacy of Black and Gold.

Apparel

You’ll certainly want to show your colors proudly with one of these wearables. The JPS jacket at left will keep the weather out on those brisk days at the track. Gold piping and perfectly placed JPS Team Lotus patch will identify you as one of the knowing Lotus lovers.

The JPS Lotus team shirt (right) shows that you’re someone that appreciates the lost era of greatness that was JPS Team Lotus. A crisp button-down short sleeve shirt will set you apart from the madding crowd.

If you desire a more casual look, the JPS polo shirt (left) is for you. Nice gold detailing sets off the shirt in an understated yet comfortable look.

These JPS wearables are available in the Lotus Collection at Retro Motoring. (They’ve got Gold Leaf and Lotus green wearables as well.)

Books and DVDs

If you can never get enough of the gilded Gold and Black age, may I suggest a book?

The latest comes from the estimable writer and photographer Pete Lyons. The first in a series of books entitled “Formula1 Greats” is the new book Lotus 72. The book recounts the beginning of the Lotus 72 saga in 1970 with the Gold Leaf Cigarette red and gold sponsorship. The car was a bit of a handful at times, but it would succeed in bringing the championship to Jochen Rindt, whose posthumous championship is the only recorded in the history of Formula One. JPS came on as the sponsor for the 1972 season and Emerson Fittipaldi took the championship that year. The book is available directly from Pete Lyons, or Motorsport Collector and your favorite bookseller.

Maybe you want an overview of the whole JPS Lotus saga. Then Black and Gold is for you. Its 316 pages recount the tales of all 14 of the JPS cars from the 72 to the 98. Available from Classic Team Lotus or your favorite bookseller.

If you like your images moving, take a look at “If you’re not winning you’re not trying”. The film documents the 1973 season with Emerson Fittipaldi. The whole team wore mikes and you can hear team strategy and team worries play out along with the great video. Available from Retro Motoring and Classic Team Lotus.

Another of the JPS Lotus collectibles that’s worthwhile is a review of the 1972 Formula One championship that Fittipaldi won. The footage is priceless from an age where drivers faced great danger every time they drove onto a race track. Formula One 1972: Fittipaldi’s Year will take you back to the classic tracks, cars and drivers at the start of the JPS racing saga. Produced by Duke Video, it’s 52 minutes of Formula One’s new “aero age” that will thrill. You can find the DVD at Motorsport Collector.

Models

There are countless JPS model cars available in a variety of sizes. You can find the vast majority of them online from model sellers and ebay. The best selection can indeed be found from Classic Team Lotus. Of course. They stock most of the recently issued models and a lot of the models out of production. There’s kits, built models and RC cars and that includes the unbelievable Tamiya Lotus 72 in 1/12th scale. To build the model is to build the real thing, only much smaller. One of the greatest plastic model kits ever made; most parts are even molded in the correct color too.

Conclusion

There’s a wonderful supply of JPS Lotus collectibles available to Lotus and F1 fans right now. All you need to do is click on the links and wait for elegant black and gold to arrive.

For more great JPS Lotus collectibles, click here.
Even more collectibles here.