F2 / Atlantic / FB Race Car – 2020 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.

1969 Brabham BT30

This tube-frame Formula 2 version of the F3 BT28 was designed by the famed Ron Tauranac and featured a 1600-cc Cosworth FVA motor coupled with a Hewland FT200 gearbox.  Raced throughout the 1969–1971 F2 seasons, BT30s were campaigned by such notable drivers as Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Jo Bonnier, Piers Courage, Peter Westbury, and Derek Bell who was the championship runner-up in 1970.  Brabham cars were known for being sturdy, excellent handling, successful racing cars.  The 1600-cc Formula 2 was an ultra-competitive series then.  Today, it is perhaps the best “bang for the buck” in single-seater historic racing.

1977 Ralt RT1

Australian Ron Tauranac—who had helped start Motor Racing Developments (Brabham Cars) and worked for many years with Jack Brabham—started Ralt cars with Austin Lewis in 1974, their first initials forming the name “Ralt.” The plant in Woking, England produced its first new generation car, the RT1 F3 car in 1975. Although there were many variations and developments, RT1 production spanned four years. Cars were built in F3, F2, SuperVee and Atlantic specification. RT1’s had success in all categories. In 1977, Eddie Cheever finished 2^nd in the F2 championship in a BMW-powered car. In 1978, they dominated the British championship. In the USA, they had great success in pro-Atlantic. Today, they are a favorite car to race in the wings and slicks single-seater category.

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.