The Formula Junior Category was introduced in Italy in 1958 by Count Giovanni Lurani, and in 1959, it became an International Formula. Shortly thereafter, in 1960, the British began to take a serious interest in the category beginning the rivalry between British and Italian cars.
The original FIA Formula Junior regulations defined the cars as single-seater racing cars with the mechanical components from a touring car of which a minimum of 1,000 units had been produced in 12-months time. The chassis was built within certain dimensions and to a weight minimum. The engine, gearbox, brakes, etc., had to be as derived from a production touring car. Therefore, there were a great variety of choices on different cars, such as engines from BMC, FIAT and Ford and gearboxes from Citroen, Renault and VW.
Formula Junior was, in effect, Formula Two and Formula Three combined with a maximum engine capacity of 1-liter or 1.1-liters, depending on the car weight. It was a single-seater training ground for young drivers from 1959 to 1963. It produced an endless list of future Formula One stars including Chris Amon, Richard Attwood, Peter Arundell, Jim Clark, Denis Hulme, Peter Revson, Jochen Rindt, Joe Siffert, and John Surtees.
Lotus was the dominant force in Formula Junior, winning the British National Championship from 1960–1963; however, a dozen other small companies also produced cars including Bandini, Brabham, Cooper, Elva, Lola, Merlyn, Osca, Stanguellini and Taraschi.
These were, in effect, mini-Grand Prix teams with first class drivers, designers, and mechanics. Ironically, Formula Junior, which was started as a cost-savings effort, was ultimately stopped because Formula One technology of the day was being used in this lower formula. The monocoque design of the Lotus 27 was a prime example of this technology.
Today, the large number of premium venues combined with very competitive grids has translated into a very strong market for Formula Juniors, especially in Europe. Having a legitimate Formula Junior allows one the opportunity to race at Goodwood, the Monaco Historic, and the Monterey Historic, to name but a few events.
1959 Gemini Mark 2
The Gemini Mark 2 was first called the Moreland. Then Graham Warner of the famous Chequered Flag Company took over the racing effort and named it after his birth sign. It was a tubular space-frame design with front-mounted engine, four-wheel disk brakes with rear in-board. The engine was either a BMC or Ford 105E, mated to a BMC 4-speed gearbox. The debut race for the Gemini, on Boxing Day at Brands Hatch, was also the debut single-seater race for one Jim Clark driving a Gemini. Other drivers included Mike Beutler, who went on to Formula One in the early 1970s and Geoff Duke, the motorcycle racer. Many Mark 2s were exported from England to the USA.
1961 Elva 300
Frank Nichols’ Elva Car Company of Rye, Sussex, England, was evolving into a successful sports and single-seater racecar manufacturer. Elva’s 1961 Formula Junior effort, the 300, designed by Keith Marsden, was the lowest Formula Junior built. It had a rear-engine design with in-board rear brakes and a 5-speed gearbox. Just six cars were built, two of which went to the USA. Some interesting drivers raced the 300, including current Formula One czar, Bernie Eccelstone, and Chris Ashmore, who had Elva sports car success in England, as well as Chuck Dietrich in the USA. Dietrich, of Ohio, had success racing in England and back in the USA with a winning record in Formula Junior and sports racing Elva’s.
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 |
