From 1964–1978, 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, F2 and F3 were consolidated into Formula Jr. 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 U.S. many of the same chassis were being outfitted with Lotus twin-cam engines for what was known as FB. By 1972, F2 graduated up 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 U.S. 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.
| Make | Model | Level III | Level II | Level I |
| Brabham | BT10 | $30,000 | $35,000 | $45,000 |
| BT16 | $30,000 | $35,000 | $45,000 | |
| BT18 | $35,000 | $45,000 | $55,000 | |
| BT21 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $60,000 | |
| BT23C F2 | $70,000 | $85,000 | $95,000 | |
| BT29 FB | $55,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
| BT30 F2 | $80,000 | $95,000 | $105,000 | |
| BT35 FB/FA | $40,000 | $45,000 | $55,000 | |
| BT36 F2 | $85,000 | $100,000 | $110,000 | |
| BT38/BT40 F2 | $55,000 | $65,000 | $75,000 | |
| Chevron | B15B | $50,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 |
| B17B | $50,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
| B18 | $45,000 | $55,000 | $65,000 | |
| B20 | $45,000 | $55,000 | $65,000 | |
| B27/B29 FA | $35,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | |
| B34 FA | $35,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | |
| B35 F2 | $40,000 | $55,000 | $65,000 | |
| B40 F2/B42 F2 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
| Lola | T60/61/62 | $35,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 |
| T100/102 | $35,000 | $45,000 | $55,000 | |
| T360 FA | $30,000 | $35,000 | $45,000 | |
| T460 FA | $25,000 | $30,000 | $35,000 | |
| Lotus | 32 | $40,000 | $45,000 | $50,000 |
| 41B | $35,000 | $40,000 | $45,000 | |
| 48 F2 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
| 59B | $40,000 | $50,000 | $60,000 | |
| 69 FB | $50,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
| 69 F2 | $80,000 | $95,000 | $105,000 | |
| March | 712 F2 | $65,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 |
| 722 F2 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
| 762 F2 | $55,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
| 772/782 F2 | $55,000 | $65,000 | $75,000 | |
| 75B/76B | $35,000 | $40,000 | $55,000 | |
| 77B/78B | $35,000 | $40,000 | $55,000 | |
| Martini | MK19/22 F2 | $55,000 | $67,000 | $80,000 |
| McLaren | M4 FB | $45,000 | $55,000 | $65,000 |
| M4 F2 | $55,000 | $65,000 | $75,000 | |
| Merlyn | Mk7/9 | $30,000 | $35,000 | $40,000 |
| Ralt | RT1 Atlantic | $40,000 | $50,000 | $60,000 |
| Surtees | TS10 | $55,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 |
| TS15 | $45,000 | $55,000 | $65,000 |
1967 Lotus 48 Formula 2
The year 1967 brought about the beginning of the 1,600-cc F2 period. For this new formula, Colin Chapman turned up with the Type 48. It looked similar to the Formula One car, having a full monocoque chassis, but with a tubular subframe for the fuel-injected Cosworth 1,600 FVA engine and Hewland 5-speed gearbox. Jim Clark managed three victories and Graham Hill two 2nd-place finishes against the onslaught of Brabhams, a few Ferrari Dino 166s, and McLaren M4As. The Type 48 was raced again in 1968 and looked resplendent in the Gold Leaf team colors. Sadly, at Hockenheim in April, Jim Clark was killed in a high-speed crash while driving one.
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 first initials forming 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, SuperVee, and Atlantic specification. RT1’s had success in all categories. In 1977, Eddie Cheever finished 2nd in the F2 championship in a BMW-powered car. In 1978, they dominated the British championship. In the USA, they had great success in pro-Atlantic. Today they are 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.
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 |
