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 its 1600-cc Cortina GT engine, as well as its backing and name. Lotus Components built a car based on the Lotus 31 Formula Three car calling it the Lotus 51 Formula Ford. Ironically, this early car 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 Three car of the day cost more than £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 category 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 | 14 | $8,000 | $16,000 | $20,000 |
15 | $8,000 | $16,000 | $20,000 | |
18, 18 B | $9,000 | $ 16,000 | $ 22,000 | |
22 | $9,000 | $ 16,000 | $ 22,000 | |
Beach | Mk II | $7,500 | $15,000 | $22,000 |
Bobsy | $5,000 | $10,000 | $16,000 | |
Caldwell | D9, D9B | $ 8,000 | $18,000 | $ 24,000 |
Crossle | 16F | $9,000 | $15,000 | $18,000 |
20F | $10,000 | $16,000 | $22,000 | |
Dulon | LD4, 4B, 4C | $5,000 | $12,000 | $17,000 |
LD9 | $6,000 | $19,000 | $24,000 | |
Elden | PH6 | $5,000 | $16,000 | $20,000 |
PH8 | $5,000 | $18,000 | $22,000 | |
PH10 | $6,000 | $19,000 | $24,000 | |
Elfin | 600 | $5,000 | $12,000 | $17,000 |
Forsgrini | Mk 12 | $5,000 | $11,000 | $16,000 |
Ginetta | G-18 | $7,000 | $14,000 | $19,000 |
Hawke | DL2, 2A, 2B | $7,500 | $13,000 | $20,000 |
DL9, 9A | $10,000 | $14,000 | $23,000 | |
LeGrand | Mk 10 | $5,000 | $12,000 | $17,000 |
Lola | T200 | $6,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 |
T202 | $6,500 | $17,000 | $22,000 | |
T204 | $7,000 | $18,000 | $23,000 | |
Lotus | 51 A, B, C | $12,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
61 M, MX | $9,000 | $17,000 | $22,000 | |
69 | $18,000 | $30,000 | $38,000 | |
Macon | MR 7B | $4,000 | $10,000 | $16,000 |
MR 8, 8B | $5,000 | $12,000 | $17.000 | |
March | 709, 719, 729 | $10,000 | $16,000 | $22,000 |
McNamara | FFA | $4,000 | $11,000 | $17,000 |
Merlyn | MK11, 11A | $12,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
MK17, 17A | $10,000 | $17,000 | $22,000 | |
MK20, 20A | $12,000 | $18,000 | $23,000 | |
Mirage | Mk5 | $5,000 | $12,000 | $17,000 |
Mistrale | $5,000 | $12,000 | $17,000 | |
Nike | Mk 4, 6, 10 | $5,000 | $12,000 | $17,000 |
Royale | RP2 | $5,000 | $12,000 | $17,000 |
RP3, 3A | $7,500 | $16,000 | $20,000 | |
Tecno | FF | $10,000 | $16,000 | $20,000 |
Titan | Mk 4, 5 | $10,000 | $17,000 | $21,000 |
Mk 6, 6A, 6B, 6C | $10,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
Winkelman | WDF1, 2, 3, 4 | $10,000 | $18,000 | $22,000 |
1968 LeGrand Mark 10
Those who raced on the West Coast of the U.S.A. in the 1960s and 1970s knew the name LeGrand. Alden “Red” LeGrand was an ex-U.S. Marine who had a race shop in North Hollywood, California in the 1960s. He became known for building modifieds, sports racing cars and single-seat formula cars that raced in Formula Junior through to Formula 5000. His first Formula Ford was the very conventional Mark 10 in 1968. One could buy it as a complete car or in kit form. They did not always have a chassis number. These cars were raced in the SCCA Formula Ford class with some success. The Mark 10 received an overhaul in 1972 and was renumbered the Mark 13, then the 13B. The shop was later to be moved from Hollywood out to Willow Springs Raceway. LeGrand was a true entrepreneur who was working each day at his craft, doing what he loved. Sadly, he died in 1988 working in his shop with his son. His cars can be found at historic races, restored and being raced by those who appreciate his genius.
1969 Hawke DL2 or 1972 Hawke DL9
The British Hawke racing car company was founded in 1968 by David Lazenby, Jim Clark’s mechanic at Indianapolis, and a former principal of Lotus Components during the beginning of the Formula Ford era. Lazenby believed that he could build a better car, and designed the DL1-2 with which Tom Walkinshaw won the 1969 Scottish Formula Ford Championship, and in 1972 the DL2 won the SCCA National Championship. Hawke went on to produce the DL9 with which Syd Fox won the 1972 British Sunbeam Electric Formula Ford Championship. Rupert Keegan drove for Hawke and hired a young Adrian Reynard to help design the DL15 with which Stuart Lawson won the 1976 Scottish Formula Ford Championship. However, Hawke over-expanded into other formulae and subsequently closed its doors in 1979.
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 |