F2 / Atlantic / FB Race Car – 2016 Market & Price Guide

From 1964 to 1978, a series of flat-bottomed formula cars were manufactured to serve as a steppingstone 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 2-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 belt-driven 1,600-cc Cosworth BDA 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.

1971 Lotus 69

The 69 designation was given to a series of four different Lotus Formula cars in 1971. Sold in Formula Two, Formula Three, Formula B/Atlantic and Formula Ford configurations, the F2 and FB/Atlantic variants featured a Dave Baldwin-designed monocoque construction using either 1600-cc Cosworth FVA (F2) or Lotus Twin-Cam/Cosworth BDA engines (FB/Atlantic).  The F3/Formula Ford cars had a square-tube spaceframe design.  Both future Lotus Formula One World Champions Jochen Rindt and Emerson Fittipaldi raced 69s in F2 for private entrants. Rindt won four of 10 races in 1970, with Fittipaldi winning three European Trophy races in 1971.  The 69 F2 car raced in the very competitive 1600-cc F2 series with great success. It is another example of Lotus brilliance in single-seat racecar design.

1976 Martini MK19

During the years 1975-’77, the winning cars in Formula Two were the Tico Martini-designed models, MK16, 19 and 22. These cars beat the Chevron, March and Ralt teams. The Martini had an aluminum monocoque with wishbone suspension, front-mounted radiator, and wide but effective aerodynamic body.  They were usually powered by the 300 bhp, 90-degree, 24-valve, V6 Renault Gordini engine, with a six-speed gearbox.  Sponsorship came from Elf oil and Renault.  The F2 title was won by Jacques Laffite in 1975, Jean-Pierrer Jabouille in 1976 and Rene Arnoux in 1977. With a young Alain Prost driving in F3, the Elf-backed French single-seater movement was under way.

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.