DJR1 has spent much of its life in the United Kingdom since being sold by Johnson’s team at the end of the 1988 season.
It proved the first of six DJR-built Sierras and was raced by the legend himself throughout 1987.
Although plagued by unreliability, including lasting just three laps before differential failure in the Bathurst 1000, it laid the foundations for a successful era that followed.
Johnson’s highlights with the car included victory in the Adelaide International ATCC round in May and at the non-championship F1 Grand Prix support in November.
The former was the first victory for a Sierra in Australia and the latter the first for the RS500 variant – an upgrade DJR1 received following homologation in August.
Johnson handed the car over to new teammate John Bowe for 1988.
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The Tasmanian scored his first two ATCC race wins at Winton and Amaroo Park, and finished second to Johnson on four occasions to secure a DJR 1-2 in the standings.
DJR1 was also the #18 entry for that year’s Bathurst 1000, finishing second after Johnson and Bowe took over driving duties in the wake of their primary entry failing.
The car – along with the sister DJR2 chassis – was sold to Brits Mike Smith and Robb Gravett of Trakstar Motorsport ahead of the 1989 British Touring Car Championship.
Johnson had wowed the Poms with a cameo at the RAC Tourist Trophy at Silverstone aboard DJR3 during 1988, driving demand for DJR cars.
DJR1 scored four race wins and fourth in the 1989 BTCC standings with Gravett at the wheel, before making select appearances in Graham Hathaway’s hands the following year.
With the BTCC then banning turbo cars amid a move to a new two-litre formula, Hathaway shipped the car to South-East Asia and used it to win the 1992 Malaysian Touring Car title.
It was subsequently returned to the UK and raced on in Thundersports, Saloon Car and later historic competition.
The special machine was purchased by its current owner, renowned UK-based Sierra restorer Paul Linfoot, in 2017.
According to its listing with Iconic Auctioneers, the car “retains its original bodyshell, engine, gearbox, back axle, Harrop nine-inch rear differential and the Eggenberger suspension”.
Not run in anger in over a decade, it’s presented as Johnson and Gregg Hansford campaigned it in the 1987 James Hardie 1000.
The car will be auctioned as part of the BRDC Classic at the Silverstone Circuit on July 24, with interested parties able to register expressions of interest here.
DJR2 also remains domiciled in the UK, returning to track action earlier this year following an extensive period in hibernation.
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