Two-liter sports racing cars have always had a place to compete within the ever-changing regulations of international motor sports: the World Sports Car Championship from 1953–1961; the Speedworld Challenge from 1962–1963; the International Championship of Makes from 1964–1971; and the World Championship of Makes from 1972–1981. There was even a European Championship of Makes for cars up to two liters from 1970–1975. This allowed manufacturers to showcase their design and engineering excellence by producing a limited number of purpose-built racing cars to compete at the world’s greatest racing venues, including Silverstone, Nürburgring, Le Mans, Monza, Daytona and Sebring. On the right circuit, these nimble cars could often get the better of their larger competitors. Today, these historic cars are highly sought after by collectors, not just for admiration of their technology, but also to participate in reenactments of these famous racing events. Most historic groups, both in Europe and the United States, break the categories down into pre-1960, 1960–1965, 1966–1970, and 1971–1978.
1958 Lotus 15
Colin Chapman’s Lotus Cars were the great racing car innovators of the 1950s and 1960s. In 1956–’57 the Lotus Eleven had victories at Le Mans, as well as National and Club level races. How would one improve the design concept? Although the 17 was its direct descendent, the 15 was a true evolution and improvement of the design, and was the last front-engined Lotus sports racing car. A slightly larger more aggressive looking car, the bodywork was in aluminum by Williams and Pritchard, and in the Frank Costin aerodynamic style of the Eleven. It was a multi-tubular space frame construction. The suspension was double wishbone at the front with coil spring shock units. This was the first Lotus to have fully independent suspension at the rear. Brakes were Girling disc, outboard at the front and inboard at the rear. The engine was the sturdy Coventry Climax FPF 4-cylinder unit that came in 1.5-, 2.0-, 2.2- and 2.5-liter displacements. The 15 had its greatest success as a 2.0-liter car. Only 27 were built. Team Lotus 15s were driven by Graham Hill and Cliff Allison who notched race wins and lap records. Today they are highly sought after to race in the pre-1960 Sports Car class where they are a front runner. The Lotus 15 has eligibility for the Le Mans 24 Hour Classic, the Goodwood Revival, the Masters Series, the Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Legends of Motorsports and other venues. It is a true example of Chapman’s genius in building a lightweight, nimble and good looking sports racing car.
1971 Chevron B19
Derek Bennett’s Chevron cars of Bolton, England had just won the 2.0 Liter European Sports Racing Car Championship in 1970 with the B16 coupe. Lola had been very competitive with the T210, and its T212 was going to be Chevron’s main rival in the second season of the 2.0 Liter Championship in 1971. The B19 was a much improved car over the B16, lighter, with larger wheels, a lower center of gravity and was a spyder as well. It was the most popular 2.0-liter car in 1971, with racing grids seeing five or six examples at a time. It was a tubular space frame with stressed alloy panels across the center section for rigidity. The engine was a fuel-injected 1.8-liter Cosworth FVC mated to a Hewland FT200 or FGA gearbox. The B19 was light and quick with nimble handling. Thirty-five cars were built. Its debut race was at Oulton Park in March of 1971 with John Bridges, which it won. The B19 had success in the endurance races and the 2.0-liter series, which was very competitive with large grids of up and coming stars and veterans such as Niki Lauda, Chris Craft, Brian Redman, Graham Hill, Mike Hailwood, John Bridges, John Hine, Jody Scheckter and Ed Swart behind the wheels of B19s. One could run a B19 in a sprint race and then the 500km or 1000km event. They could often beat the larger-displacement cars. At the Nürburgring, Redman lapped the circuit in a B19 in under 8 minutes. Today these fantastic cars are very popular as they have eligibility to race on circuits such as Spa, Imola, Le Castellet and Le Mans in the Classic Endurance Series and at Silverstone and other tracks in the Masters Series. In the USA, Chevron B19s compete at Legends of Motorsports events and the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. A fantastic car for the money and a thrill to drive.
Criteria Used For Assessing Valuations for this Guide:
- Degree of Originality
- Overall Condition, Restoration
- Technology, Design, Coachbuilder
- Production Numbers/Rarity
- Competition History
- Ownership History, Documentation
- Modern Event Eligibility
Regional Variances
The prices stated in this guide are based on U.S. values. The values of historic racing cars can vary as much as 25%-35% in other countries, depending on local market appeal, currency rates, import duties, and VAT. Most of the time, we are able to document known sales or closed escrows, as they say in real estate. When this is not possible, a logical estimate of the car’s value is given, based on its sales history and relationship to cars of its type.
The prices stated in this guide are based on U.S. values. The values of historic racing cars can vary as much as 25%-35% in other countries, depending on local market appeal, currency rates, import duties, and VAT.
LEVEL |
VALUATION CATEGORIES |
|---|---|
I |
The best combination of all criteria. |
II |
Satisfies mid-range of criteria. |
III |
In need of restoration. Meets only a few points of criteria |
