Formula Ford was a specification racing series created on the idea that the best drivers would win if they were racing identical cars. The idea for this low budget Formula was created by an Englishman named Geoffrey Clarke, who had a driver’s school called Motor Racing Stables based at the Brands Hatch Circuit. Clarke received support from Ford’s competition manager, Henry Taylor, and Ford’s director of public affairs, Walter Hayes. Ford supplied their 1600-cc Cortina GT engine, as well as their backing and name. Lotus Components built a car based on the Lotus 31 Formula 3 car calling it the Lotus 51 Formula Ford. Ironically, these early cars had a Renault gearbox. They sold for the affordable price of just under £1,000, making racing in this series very affordable since a Formula 3 car of the day cost over £3,000. The Royal Automobile Club, Britain’s governing body, established a set of racing regulations. The first official race was held at Brands Hatch on July 2, 1967. From 1967 to the present, the Formula Ford Series has produced some very exciting racing in many different makes of racing cars, as well as some great drivers and future champions, including Andretti, Fittipaldi, Schenken, Scheckter and Senna. Today, historic Formula Ford is an entry-level racing category and, for the purposes of this guide, covers cars from 1967 to 1972. Keep in mind the greatest single factor in determining the value of a Formula Ford is the quality and cost of its preparation.
| Make | Model | Level III | Level II | Level I |
| Alexis | 15 | $8,000 | $12,000 | $18,000 |
| 18, 22 | $6,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | |
| Bobsy | $5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | |
| Caldwell | D9, D9B | $8,000 | $12,000 | $18,000 |
| Crossle | 16F | $8,000 | $12,000 | $17,000 |
| 20F | $8,000 | $12,000 | $18,000 | |
| Dulon | LD4, 4B, 4C | $7,000 | $10,000 | $16,000 |
| LD9 | $8,000 | $12,000 | $18,000 | |
| Elden | PH8 | $10,000 | $12,000 | $16,000 |
| PH10 | $10,000 | $14,000 | $18,000 | |
| Ginetta | G-18 | $8,000 | $12,000 | $16,000 |
| Hawke | DL2, 2A, 2B | $10,000 | $14,000 | $19,000 |
| DL9, 9A | $12,000 | $15,000 | $21,000 | |
| LeGrand | Mk 10 | $5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Lola | T200 | $10,000 | $14,000 | $18,000 |
| T202 | $10,000 | $16,000 | $20,000 | |
| T204 | $10,000 | $16,000 | $20,000 | |
| Lotus | 51 A,B,C | $12,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| 61M, MX | $10,000 | $15,000 | $18,000 | |
| 69 | $25,000 | $30,000 | $35,000 | |
| Macon | MR 7B | $5,000 | $10,000 | $14,000 |
| MR8, 8B | $5,000 | $10,000 | $14,000 | |
| March | 709, 719, 729 | $10,000 | $14,000 | $18,000 |
| Merlyn | MK11, 11A | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| MK17, 17A | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | |
| MK20, 20A | $12,000 | $18,000 | $24,000 | |
| Royale | RP2 | $6,000 | $10,000 | $16,000 |
| RP3, 3A | $8,000 | $12,000 | $18,000 | |
| Tecno | FF | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Titan | MK 6,6A,6B,6C | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Winkelman | WDF1,2,3,4 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 |
1970 Lola T200
Lola, founded in 1958 by Eric Broadley, the constructor of those great Can-Am, F5000, Formula One and Indy Cars also built its first Formula Ford in 1970. The T200 had a short wheelbase and top quality construction. It was distributed by Carl Haas, the United States Lola Importer, in Chicago. It was followed by the T202 and T204 each design having increasing success.
Palliser/Winkelman
Palliser racing cars was based out of premises in south London and designed and built by ex-Brabham and Lola designer Len Wimhurst. They were commissioned by racecar driver and BOAC airline pilot Hugh P.K. Dibley. The P came from Dibley’s initials. These cars were raced and sold successfully by Bob Winkleman in Northern California who re-badged the cars as Winkleman WDF1 Formula Fords. This arrangement started in 1969 and continued on into the 1970s. The Palliser/Winkelmans were well-built sturdy cars known for their large spacious cockpits, thus appealing to a tall driver. Dibley sold his interest in the Palliser company in 1972 to Winkleman and engineer John Plumridge. In 1973, they sold the rights to the Formula Ford to Mark Konig and Ian Heath who continued producing cars and gave the cars their Nomad name. In the USA, they were known as Winkleman’s and were a very successful racing car winning several SCCA division Championships.
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 |
