On the eve of the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, whisked a dozen of the brand’s faithful to the automaker’s factory for an indoctrination into Lotus’ illustrious racing past. Then, they were taken by private jet to the Louvre Museum, where Lotus unwrapped its latest project: the T125.

Bahar envisioned something that harkened back to Colin Chapman’s earliest efforts at encouraging Lotus owners to take to the track. Also unveiled was a private racing league for the T125 called “the Exos Club”. Three months later, F1 legend Jean Alesi helped Lotus unveil the T125 and Exos Club program to the public at Autosport International in Birmingham, England. Testing of the first completed car was undertaken at the Vallelunga Circuit in Italy, where the FIA allows Formula 1 teams to test their cars.

The T125 makes use of Cosworth’s GP V-8, a 3.8-litre, 640-horsepower race engine capable of screaming to 11,000 rpm through a six-speed sequential transmission with a hand-operated clutch. The Cosworth V-8 is based on a 3.0-litre Indy racing design. Upsizing the engine made it more flexible and durable for capable drivers who do not necessarily have a Formula 1 background. Comprised primarily of carbon fibre and nomex, the T125 tips the scales at just 650 kilograms. Unlike an actual Formula 1 car, the T125 can be started by its driver at the press of a button. Additionally, the T125’s cockpit is designed for a wider range of body types than the confined seating position of a true Formula 1 car.

Ultimately, this incredible legacy project proved too ambitious to get off the ground during a global recession. Just 10 examples were built, including chassis C018, offered here finished in its factory-option Heritage Green tribute livery. The Lotus was purchased new by the consignor in 2016, and according to correspondence on file, this chassis was the last T125 begun by Lotus before the entire project was sold to Rodin Cars of New Zealand. Rodin completed chassis C018 at its factory in New Zealand, as well as four more T125 chassis over the ensuing years.

Since its 2016 delivery to Germany, this T125 has lived most of its life on static display between track days. Its sale is accompanied by a comprehensive inventory of spares, which includes a spare Cosworth engine, additional wheels, and a front splitter. Under the consignor’s tenure, the race-specialist firm SPS of Willsbach has been responsible for upkeep of chassis C018.

The T125 represents an audacious unrealised dream, and it is also a rare opportunity to acquire a car built nearly to Formula 1 specifications but for a broader audience. As presented today from the collection of its original owner, C018 sits ready to be enjoyed as Bahar—and Chapman so many decades before him—would have wanted.