Description:

Bill Dolson's personal car, it had found its way into the Bill Dolson Racing rental fleet and suffered crash damage requiring light chassis repair a few years ago. The decision was made to do a full restoration as the car had been campaigned by Bill and Sally Beers (no to mention quite a few rental customers) for almost 15 years with only annual go-throughs.

History

Lotus announced the new for 1969 Type 61 Formula Ford at the Racing Car Show of that year. The hitherto "top secret" new model was revealed to the public resplendent in the newly acquired Gold Leaf Team Lotus colors of Red and White. Formula Ford had already strongly established itself in its first two years and the original hastily adapted F3 cars were already beginning to be replaced by purpose built Formula Fords. Lotus restricted their development efforts to aerodynamics and engines, keeping the original Type 51 chassis virtually unchanged. A supply deal was penned with Holbay Racing Engines to provide "guaranteed output" dry sump engines and a new "wedge" body style was developed to begin to explore the first hints of aerodynamic downforce. The body style also mimicked the highly publicized Type 56 Indy turbine car which could do no harm in the important American market.

Competition History

most SVRA and HSR events in the 90s
Performance Data

• 882 lbs
  

Engine

• MWE prepared
  
• Uprated
  
• original Lotus Holbay rocker cover
  
• zero time
  
• side pump, original Holbay pump, side mounted tach drive, and pan accompany car
  

Oil/Water System

• all correct BSP fittings
  
• original location oil cooler
  
• mounted on engine bay "Y" brace
  

Electrical System

• new loom done in aircraft grade wire, Tilton Super Starter,
  
• original battery mounts modified to accept modern NP18 gell
  

Transmission

• correct original Hewland Mk LC8
  
• 9:31 ring and pinion
  
• shifter "daiper", new shift linkage with Apex joints
  
• gone through by BDR, freshened as required, condition good
  

Rear End

• Hewland in unit with gearbox
  
• new dnouts and UJs
  

Body

• original cowling with new nose section grafted on, original undertray
  
• shoulder "blisters" let into bodywork to accomodate large driver
  

Chassis

• completely restored to as new condition with all correct brackets and fittings,
  
• new Lotus 69 style "A" shaped roll-over bar in chrom-moly
  
• powdercoated Lotus gray
  
• all suspension original unmodified as from Lotus
  
• double wishbone, all parts renewed
  
• dual trailing link, top link, lower reversed wishbone, all parts renewed
  
• original knob adjustable Armstrongs, rebuilt
  
• all calipers disassembled, replated, and completely rebuilt
  
• rack completely rebuilt
  
• correct original Lotus steel wheels
  

Interior

• black vinyl seat cover to Lotus pattern,
  
• replica Lotus Components dash plaque
  
• mechanical freon fire system
  
• original tonneau cover and seat
  
• correct original Smiths guages including Chronometric tach,
  
• original steering wheel (Intertech) recovered in black lthr
  

Spares

• we can put together a nice spares kit for the new owner from our stocks
  
• if we are not beaten up too badly on price