The Lotus 49/2... First Time Winner

[Lou Drozdowski]

As a continuing follow up to my posts about the Iconic 49..." Bringing It Home"  the history of Clark's winning chassis #2 is an interesting one. For the remainder of the season the 49/2 would be Clark's main car while Hill continued to run the 49/1 until he crashed in practice for the British GP, after which he mainly used the 49/3. Apart from this famous " First Time Out" victory at Zandvoort, Clark also won at Silverstone and Watkins Glen including 5 pole positions.

For the 1968 Tasman series the 49/2 engine was fitted a shorter stroke crankshaft to reduce the engine capacity to 2.5 liters. Clark continued to use the 49/2 and won 4 races.

Following Clark's death in the 48 at Hockenheim the 49/2 was left in Tasman specs...

During practice for the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch in March, Jo Siffert crashed his Rob Walker owned 49/4.
While this chassis was being repaired a fire at Walker's garage destroyed it along with other vehicles. To continue racing, Lotus converted the 49/2 back from Tasman series specs and loaned to Walker while his new 49/7 was being built.

Chassis # 49/2 still exists and was up for sale as recently in 2008!....What would you pay for some history?     

[Lou Drozdowski]

 Once the new 49B/7 had been delivered to Walker, 49/2 returned to Team Lotus. Front and rear wings were fitted, but the early suspension, brakes and gearbox were retained. Jackie Oliver drove it in this configuration in the British GP on July 20Th.

 Following the race 49/2 was completely updated to 49B specs, with the associated modifications to the monocoque, new suspension (forward sweeping) and steering, wider split rim wheels, 2 pot calipers rather than 4...and a Hewland gearbox which used a rear cross member to support the suspension rather than the original  "Christmas Tree" frames and revised top ducted nose, radiator and oil tank arrangements.
 Even the clutch pedal was changed to suit the gearbox.

The new car 49/B2 was ready in time for the German GP on August 4Th and Jackie Oliver would race it 6 times.
It was then rebuilt again and sold early in 69 to Pete Lovely as 49B/11. It would later be upgraded to 49C specs.

[cal44]

Lou,

I am wondering if it is wrong to fall in love with an inanimate object?   Thanks for posting the lovely pictures.

mike

[Bainford]

Thanks Lou. I am really enjoying the pictures and history lesson. Cheers.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Mike & Trevor, Thanks to you both for commenting on the post. It's ok to be enamored, like any treasured piece of art or fine wine the distinction of excellence draws our emotions towards it.
Trevor,  Glad you like the information. Lotus formula cars are one of my passions.ld       

[Lou Drozdowski]

The guardrails weren't always blue. Clark takes the flag at the 1967 Glen in the 49/2.   

[Bainford]

Fantastic photo! A great 'moment capture'.

I had the opportunity to drive my Europa (somewhat calmly) around The Glen this past summer. It was wonderful to consider the racing royalty that had competed there as I was making my laps. As I let my mind drift, imagination in high gear, I was piloting a 49 around that historic track. Good times   

[katanaman]

  I used to be able to see Pete Lovely and his Lotus 49B often.  I was delivering mail to an address on my route when I went in and got a letter signed for.  The guy there was a fellow classmate from high school.  As he signed, I looked aside and noticed the 49B for the first time.  I recognized it because I had that 4 book "Arco Famous Car Series" set (still do!).  Lots of cool stuff circulated through there before Butch moved down the hill into the valley.  Two days after I retired I notice that Pete died.  I would love to have seen Pete run that 49B.  Cracks me up to see that when that car is modeled, the people involved are careful to detail those little yellowed plexiglass windscreens!  I don't know if many of us Lotus guys get the emailed newsletters from mycarquest.com like I do, but lately the editor has been on a warpath with filthy cars being sold at prestigious auctions because they have "patina".  I can't think of other cars who have yellowed plexiglass, but the 49Bs all have it!  The yellowness is almost necessary patina.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Katanaman...Great you should mention Pete Lovely and the R2 chassis, for some time it was understood that when Pete purchased his 49 from Lotus it was a new car built in 1968 and was the last 49 produced. That all changed... when back in 1998 Alan McCall, ex Lotus mechanic had a chance to inspect the car at the Watkins Glen historic races.

In 1967 an aluminum support had been fabricated to help wedge Jim Clark in the chassis of R2, McCall found that R11 had the same holes in the cockpit where the support was riveted. A progressive throttle linkage was employed to help Clark ease on the power of the DFV. R11 still had the holes in the tub where the linkage was attached, and finally the large pedal access plate with the fuel filler mounted outside the hatch plate. R2 was the only chassis with this modification. Based on what McCall found it was determined that R11 was indeed Clark's original R2.

So, you can thank the Postal service to have had the rare chance of seeing the winning R2 in the flesh!  ld 

[katanaman]

...  Nearly the only thing I would thank the U.S.P.S. for...                          !

[Lou Drozdowski]

Needed to post an action shot...Hill follows Clark 

[Bainford]

Another fantastic photo. Great action shot.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Enjoy...The Car tune...

[Bainford]

Oh, I love that drawing. I'm going to have to pinch a copy. Very cool, and I'm pleased with myself that I could name them all without peaking at the names at the bottom of the picture. I suppose that I should be able to, really, but I am still a student of the marque. Cheers.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Needed to post an action shot...Hill follows Clark

Trevor, Did you notice the "Christmas Tree" mounts on the gearbox ?...clue. Chassis R1& R2 respectfully. ld