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1 Mar 2010, 22:46 (Ref:2642988) | #1 | ||
Rookie
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 40
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Lotus 51
The racecar that kicked-off Formula Ford... seems way overdue for a thread here.
So here's an article and a couple snapshots to get things rolling: Dick Leehr's Lotus 51c, number 51C/FF/206, alt# AM217 (The article includes some historical notes, specifications, and 39 photos with captions to detail construction details and to differentiate the 51/51a/51b/51c model variants.) |
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3 Mar 2010, 07:36 (Ref:2643829) | #2 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,767
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__________________
Nostagia ain't what it used to be! |
4 Mar 2010, 10:26 (Ref:2644708) | #3 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 520
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One of my favorite cars! Mine is AM 166, I purchased the car in a damaged but complete state from Joe Papp in Texas in 2006. It was originally a 51B but had been upgraded at some point in its life to 51C-spec. When this happened the Renault 'box driveshafts had been retained and star shaped alloy spacers made to make up the difference in length, the point being that this was probably a do it yourself update. If anyone can add anything to its earlier history I would love to know more.
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26 Mar 2010, 09:23 (Ref:2660284) | #4 | |
Racer
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 116
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Mystery 22 / 31 F3 / 51?
Simon....
Need a bit of help here if you may..... Any idea what differences I should be looking for between a 31 F3 chassis and an early 51 chassis. Got one here (AM-61 - but no chassis plate). Currently looks like a 22 to all intents and purposes, and indeed could turn out to be yet! (Currently fitted with Cosworth FJ engine) Evidence of original LH gearchange. Front (correct) oil tank. Welded-on dash / instrument panels on front-hoop - not rivetted. Rear trailing arms attach to frame at the lower level - not at top-rail level. 4 and 6 stud (F / R) hubs with 'Wobbly-webs' Fancy F3 type brakes - not FF Front discs 9" with 9.5" rears. No steel undertray No diagonal additional cockpit brace-rails. Hope to hear from you - or possibly see you Silverstone Sunday. Andrew. |
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25 Aug 2020, 08:32 (Ref:3997789) | #5 | |
Rookie
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 1
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51a FF60 - AM70
Wow for such great cars this thread is thin. So here are the details of the one I owned until an unrelated injury had me sell it in 2018 to someone who would drive it, rather than it sit as a beautiful ornament in my garage. Race cars are meant to be raced not live a life in in some collectors glass cage as an investment asset.
Lotus 51a chassis FF60 - AM70 Car History 1968 - 1969 Jim Russell Racing School 1969 - 1996 Donald Wesltake (California)- club racing 2 years then laid up 1970 1996 - 2007 Casey Annis (California) restored car- Owner Vintage Roadcar/Racecar Magazine The Car won a number of concours events 1996 Santa Barbara Concours d’Elegance 1st Racing cars 1996 Newport Beach Concours d’Elegance 1st Racing Cars 1996 Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance 2nd Racing Cars 2007 - 2009 Tom Dean (California) - Raced a few times - Tom was I believe Killed in a plane crash in 2008-9 2009 - 2010 Jeff Palhegyi (California) - US west coast designer for Yamaha - For collection not raced 2010 - 2012 Jamie Waters - (New York) financial investment analyst and museum owner - For collection not raced 2012 - 2016 Allan Conway (Queensland) (26 December, 2012) - Arrived Australia on 29 April 2013 - Alan repaired some minor damage to the front left hand corner. The car was then raced in approx 4 meetings in Queensland 2016 - John & Paula Barrass (Tasmania) (19 August 2016) Me - a childhood dream realised. Reluctantly parted with 2 years later following an unrelated injury which made it unwise for me to drive it again. 2018 - Wayne Clark (Tasmania) - November 2018 |
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