Momo John Player Special Steering Wheel
Lotus F1 collaboration and production history
by Mads – Last updated March 2026
A steering wheel outside the standard Momo range
The Momo John Player Special (JPS) steering wheel is one of the most unusual entries in the Momo ecosystem.
Unlike most Momo products, it is not simply a model variation — it is a brand collaboration tied directly to Formula 1 sponsorship history.
It represents the intersection between:
- Momo as a steering wheel manufacturer
- Lotus as a Formula 1 team
- custom exterior trims
- John Player Special as title sponsor
Why this wheel is special
The JPS steering wheel is the only known Momo steering wheel featuring:
a Formula 1 sponsor identity directly integrated into the design
It was introduced in connection with the Lotus JPS era starting in 1974.
Initially, it was not a retail product, but a promotional steering wheel, later transitioning into limited commercial availability.
Design & configuration
The JPS steering wheel is based on a 2-spoke layout, designed for maximum instrument visibility — a typical motorsport requirement of the era.
Key characteristics:
- 2-spoke construction
- black finish
- integrated JPS branding
- early versions with “Made in Italy” marking on the back
- later versions with production date
The design differs from standard Momo production wheels by incorporating sponsor identity as part of the visual language.
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Early version (1974–1976)
- promotional-only production
- not initially sold publicly
- minimal markings (“Made in Italy”)
- extremely rare today
Later version (from ~1978 to early 1980s)
- commercial availability
- same core design language
- slightly refined production consistency
Production ended around 1982.
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Motorsport context
The JPS branding was exclusively tied to Lotus Formula 1, not road cars.
This is an important distinction:
- Lotus road cars did not carry JPS branding
- only F1 applications used the visual identity
Momo x Lotus Esprit
The Lotus Esprit S2 World Championship Commemorative (1978/79) did carry the JPS logo. Interestingly, it was not equipped with the John Player Special steering wheel, but with the Momo Mario Andretti steering wheel, who was also under Lotus Formula 1 contract at the time.
The steering wheel itself came with the standard Lotus horn button, not the Mario Andretti helmet horn button.
The Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo used a 2-spoke steering wheel without JPS branding, fitted with a horn pad and a Lotus horn button.
Horn button variants
The JPS steering wheel was delivered with a dedicated JPS branding horn button.
The first promotional wheels came with unbranded all black horn buttons.
Final Thought
The Momo John Player Special steering wheel represents a specific moment in motorsport history.
It reflects a time when Formula 1 sponsorship began to influence not only car liveries, but also associated components and design objects.
Its importance lies less in technical evolution and more in its connection between:
- Momo as a manufacturer
- Lotus as a racing team
- and JPS as a defining sponsor identity of the era
