Between 1995-99, Williams Touring Car Engineering built BTCC Lagunas at Williams' Didcot facility, the F1 team having recently vacated. Williams-Renault came 2nd and 4th in the manufacturer's title in 1995 at the hands of Alain Menu and Will Hoy, and won in 1997 with Menu taking both manufacturer's and driver's titles.
Menu's team-mate in '97 was then-rookie (in BTCC, at least) Jason Plato, who'd just moved up from the Renault Spider Cup. He raised a few eyebrows by qualifying on pole in the Laguna in his first two races at Donington Park, and again at the next round at Silverstone - he ultimately finished the season in 3rd, with two race wins.
...and here's a non-works Laguna, campaigned by Russell Spence at Arena. It was a firm favourite with the fans, its lack of corporate sponsorship making it look like a road car. Well, until you look up close - as these photos from NotSoStock demonstrate.
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