F2 / Atlantic / FB Race Car – 2014 Market & Price Guide

From 1964 to 1978, a series of flat-bottomed, formula cars were manufactured to serve as a stepping stone to Formula One and the upper echelons of open-wheeled racing. In the late ’50s, Formula Two and Formula Three 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 had 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 Three 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, courtesy of Bobby Brown. The first Formula Three win was at Zandvoort in Holland, driven by Riccardo Patrese. Other famous drivers of B34s included Keke Rosberg and Bobby Rahal. Today a B34 is a great car to have for the 1970s wings and slicks category.

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 initials combining to form 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, Super Vee and Atlantic specification. RT1s had success in all categories. In 1977, Eddie Cheever finished 2nd in the F2 championship in a BMW-powered RT1. In 1978, they dominated the British championship, and also enjoyed great success in the USA  in pro-Atlantic. Today they remain 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.