F2 / Atlantic / FB Race Car – 2019 Market & Price Guide

From 1964 to 1978, a series of flat-bottomed formula cars were manufactured to serve as steppingstones to Formula One and the upper echelons of open-wheel racing. In the late ’50s, F2 and F3 were consolidated into Formula Junior. However, with that category’s demise at the end of 1963, F2 was reformed, utilizing highly developed 1,000-cc, fuel-injected engines until 1966. From 1967 to 1971, racecars manufactured for F2 were equipped with a more powerful gear-driven Cosworth FVA engine, while in the United States many of the same chassis were being outfitted with Lotus twin-cam engines for what was known as Formula B. By 1972, F2 graduated to two-liter displacement, with engines being manufactured by firms such as Cosworth, Hart and BMW. During this same period, Formula Atlantic replaced FB, both in the United States and overseas, with similar chassis to the F2 cars, but running the 1,600-cc Cosworth BDA or BDD engine.

Though various models were sold in both F2 and Atlantic form, the F2 cars today command a much higher value due to their more sophisticated and expensive engines. The value of these F2 variants is also bolstered by the fact that they were usually driven by some of the greatest, current or up-and-coming F1 drivers of the day, names such as Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt, Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi and the like.

1976 Chevron B34

Derek Bennett of Chevron cars was known for building well-designed, race winning, sports racing, and single-seater racing cars. In 1976, the Formula Atlantic and Formula 3 categories were hotly contested championships. Chevron built 33 B34s for the Formula Atlantic championship. It was an aluminum monocoque design powered by a Cosworth BDA or Toyota engine mated to a Hewland gearbox. The first Atlantic win came at West Palm Beach, Florida driven by Bobby Brown. The first Formula 3 win was at Zandvort in Holland, driven by Ricardo Patrese. Other famous drivers of B34’s included Keke Rosberg and Bobby Rahal. Today a B34 is a great car to have for the 1970’s wings and slicks category. 

1971 March 712 F2

For the last year of 1600-cc Formula 2, Robin Herd designed a monocoque chassis with the engine as a semi-stressed member.  Quite advanced for the day, the radiator was front mounted, and suspension was outboard.  Twenty F2 cars were built with a large rear and small front wing, as aerodynamic aids were now the rage.  Usually powered by the 1600cc Cosworth FVA engine and mated to a 5-speed to a Hewland FT200 gearbox.  They were the class of the field with Ronnie Peterson winning six times and capturing the F2 title.  This great design carried over to the 722, which won the English F2 title.  Today there is a historic 1600cc F2 championship, which is hotly contested.

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.