Did Formula One world champ own this car?

Car enthusiast Bob Starling purchased the Cortina Lotus Mk2 for £15,000 In January, unaware that Hunt is believed to have been the first person to have originally purchased the vehicle in February 1968 from Pass and Co, which later became Gowrings.
It is believed that Hunt, who would have been around 20 years old at the time, may have been working for the company as a mechanic while also racing in Formula Ford before finding fame in his F1 racing days.
Mr Starling was only made aware of the possible connection when the previous owner contacted him asking to buy the car back in July.
Upon learning more about its history, the previous owner said he was willing to pay £30,000 for the car - double the price he sold it for - but Mr Starling declined the offer.
The registration number of the vehicle is MRY 611F, it was first registered on February 13 1968 and the chassis/VIN number is
BA916M12949 - and Mr Starling is now hoping that someone from the local area can tell him more.
Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News this week, he said: “I got the shock of my life when I find out that he could have been the first owner.
“I’ve been told that there is a picture in circulation at a main dealer in West London showing James with the car and the registration number of my car, but I haven’t been able to trace it yet.

“It certainly seems like he owned it, but I need official confirmation. I’m hoping that someone who knew James or more about the car will be able to help.”
Mr Starling has filed a V888 application to the DVLA, a document which lists all the previous owners of a vehicle, to get confirmation - and hopes to get a response by the end of next week.
He has also emailed James Hunt’s son to try and establish whether he owned the vehicle, but has so far received no reply.
Hunt, who died from a heart attack in 1993 at the age of 45, was one of the most flamboyant and well known drivers of his era, having won the World Championship in 1976 in his first season with McLaren.
He retired three years later.
The possible connection coincides with the feature film called Rush, recently released in cinemas, which depicts Hunt’s famous rivalry with Niki Lauda in the race for the 1976 World Championship.
Mr Starling said he received an email from a Lotus Cortina registered member who said he had seen speaking to Ford about a photograph of Hunt picking up a Lotus Cortina, although the registration number could not be seen in the picture.
Mr Starling said he intends to sell the car at auction at the end of next month.