Group C2 Argo Jm19

ARGO Group C2 JM19C Number 122 for Sale (1988)

The East Anglian marque Argo came about with the demise of another British specialist race car constructor, Modus. The key player was Swiss engineer Jo Marquart. A prolific designer of all types of competition cars, JM had already had a great effect at McLaren, Huron, GRD and Modus, the demise of the Modus Group being responsible for Jo Marquart changing marques to become the brains at Anglia Cars owned Argo, where he was joined by one time American driver John Peterson and engineer Nick Jordan. From humble beginnings in a small domestic garage, they expanded to produce Marquart designed chassis for their own works team as well as for sale to the privateer market from the JM1 Formula 3 of 1977 (Swedish driver Stefan Johansson scoring the marque's first international race victory in the Anderstorp F3 race in 1977) to the 1989 JM18, again for the same single seater class. Argo chassis equipped customers were also competitive in both Formula Vee and Atlantic categories. Apart from Johansson, who went on to be a Ferrari F1 driver and other notable Argo drivers included David Kennedy, David Sears, Roberto Guerrero, Thierry Tassin, David Scott and Brett Riley. Argo sports-racing cars were popular with teams, the JM16 and later JM19 chassis being highly successful in the USA where the marque won three IMSA Camel titles.
Offered for sale is this Marquart design, an Argo JM19C, chassis number 122 which was made in 1987 and first saw competition in 1988 for first owners PC Automotive to compete in the C2 category of the World Sports car Championship. It was originally fitted with the ubiquitous Ford Cosworth 3.3 DFL and upgraded to a 3.9 DFL, as presented today. The engine has 3 hours run time on it. The Hewland DGB 5-speed transmission was fully rebuilt and has 3 hours run time on it as dose the hole car from it 2012 restoration. This Argo was e campaigned throughout the 1988 season, mainly being driven by Richard Piper and Martin Birrane, with Ianetta/Graham driving at Le Mans. The car's best result was a 4th in C2 at the 1000k of Nurburgring with 5th over the same distance at Spa, 6th at Silverstone, 7th at Brands Hatch and 13th in the end of year non-championship race at Kylami.
After the one season in WSC, JM19C number 122 was stored until 2001 when it was fully restored and again in 2010 and by me in 2012. The 2012 restoration was carried out which included removal and repainting of the carbon/kevlar bodywork in period-correct colour scheme. Currently, chassis, bodywork, paintwork, interior, electrical equipment and transmission are described as being in A1 condition. Included among a number of spares with the car are two sets of BBS wheels, one set of used brake discs, a rear wing as employed at Le Mans and alternative Hewland gear ratios. This is one of the only uncrashed C2's offered. Race Ready, Group C2, and is priced to reflect real Race Ready Group C car. A letter of authenticity from 1988 season driver Richard Piper is on file. The car holds a Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Limited (CAMS) Log book together with a CAMS Certificate of Description and a American SCCA log book. The car has a full traceable History from New. This car would be eligible to run at the Classic Le Mans and in the thriving Group C/GTP Racing events you could be on the Group C Historic Grid for a low entry level price of $280000 AUD including all spares. The car is built to be ultra-fast and ultra-reliable, and is a real driver’s car.
To recreate this car now would cost over $380K AUD plus as a built car. A full history with pictures is available and the car can be viewed by appointment.
This would have to be the Cheapest race ready Group C2 car on the market at $280,000 AUD and will not last for long, available immediately. This is a fantastic car and words cannot do her Justas in describing her.
Call Jay on +61438438093