Wheel Men...Drivers of the Lotus 49

[BDA]

Interesting back story, Lou! And great picture of the business end of the 49! It had a ZF tranny - maybe the last year for them before Hewland came to the fore.

[Bainford]

Great story. How intuitive he must have been to identify such a subtle issue whilst testing a new car for the first time. I think it says a lot about the mans' natural engagement with, and sypathies for the equipment.

[Lou Drozdowski]

It was practice for the 1968  French Grand Prix...

Jackie Oliver had just run his second lap, in retrospect, we know today that the rear wing collapsed. A failure that was to plague the team in future events, and cause near fatal injuries to Hill and Rindt at Barcelona.

I've linked  a video...hope it works!


https://youtu.be/MOYq0PjH_5I

[BDA]

Yikes! That had to be a rough ride!

[Lou Drozdowski]

Got a reply from Bainford today on old race car transporters...
In keeping with the theme of the 49, here's a couple of new and period shots. 

[Bainford]

Excellent photos, Lou. Cheers.

[Lou Drozdowski]

I love this picture...

Here we have three Worlds Champions, and the youngster John Miles. With the exception of Sir Jackie Stewart, who never drove the 49 during his tenure in F1...gabbing it up in the Rob Walker pit stall. Jochen, seems to be describing how he can pat his head and rub his stomach at the same time, while Graham, relaxed, appears to be holding court. The ever dapper Rob Walker looks on.

These were truly the glory days of racing, when drivers were not only gentlemen, but friends, that looked after each other.

[BDA]

I've heard a lot about the camaraderie of the old F1 drivers. That's remarkable given the fact that one never knew when the next driver would die. 

[Bainford]

Awesome photo. Such a great scene.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Strange but, I had thought my eyes were deceiving me.
 Seems like every picture or photo document of the Lotus 49 I have come across, has had the car equipped with the silver bullet (Talbot) style mirrors...

That is not the case however, as best as I can tell Mr. Clark favored these green painted "Sebring's" at the Glen in 67.

ps...Can any one help to ID the gent in the cowboy hat at the pit exit signal ?.....I'm guessing Tex something ! 

[Bainford]

Interesting detail, Lou. I've been (slowly) gathering materials to build a model of Jim's 49, and that's a detail I need to get right.

Regarding the fellow in the cowboy hat, he puts me in mind of Smokey Yunick. I wonder if Smokey had any F1 involvement at that time?

[BDA]

As for the guy with the cowboy hat, you have to pick someone from Texas but it's late for Jim Hall (Jim was much skinnier, too), AJ Foyt, or Carroll Shelby (all who raced F1), but I'm thinking he wasn't there as a driver but a consultant or guest and given Shelby's and Foyt's relationship with Ford, and that both were in Europe with the Ford GT 40s, it could be either. A third possibility is Carroll Smith who was a wrench on the GT 40s. I'd choose Shelby because I think his relationship with Ford was surely at a higher level than the others so he was more likely a guest.

[jbcollier]

Doubt it is him but Gurney worn big hats at times.

[Lou Drozdowski]

I have been researching...

The legendary Tex Hopkins was the starter at the Glen...Famous for his big cigar and wild suits!
The chap in the cowboy hat can be seen about 30 seconds in...Enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf6RNZ9PYFA#action=share

[Lou Drozdowski]

Up close...
A classic shot of Siffert in the much modified 49.