Description:

The Lotus 51 is the car that started Formula Ford racing and this is one of only 218 built and is one of the earliest examples around. We have owned this car since 1988 and during that time we have sucessfully autocrossed it, hillclimbed it and used it for Driver's School before doing a frame up restoration. Since then, we have had a lot of fun vintage racing it at Thunderhill, Sears Point, Laguna Seca, Portland and Seattle International Raceways, besides showing it at local auto shows. It is a joy to race and a favorite of tech inspectors, judges and the racing crowds. It has been meticulously maintained, is very race worthy, neutral handling, reliable, and easy to maintain. We never hesitate to let others drive this car, as we know it is not evil handling and will not get them into trouble. We have raced it with NASA, CSRG, HSR, SOVERN, and the San Francisco Region of SCCA. It has been a local autocross champion, Hillclimb class winner, and received 1st place at the Iron Horse show. It has approximately 13 hours on its frame up restoration, but has been sitting for the last 10 years, except for occasional startups. During the restoration, a lightweight alternator was installed to maximum enjoyment and minimize hassle at long events and to allow a smaller battery. It can be easily removed for those wanting maximum horsepower. The original Ford starter has been replaced with a Japanese starter for reliability and all the suspension bolts, washers and nuts were replaced with aircraft hardware and the brake hoses are now braided stainless steel. The front suspension is no longer stock as it has a quick camber adjustment on the top a-arms. All suspension bushings were replaced with Delrin bushings. The battery has been fitted with a quick connect jump unit for easy of charging. A brake/rain light was also added. It is time for this Lotus 51 to find a new home and hit the race tracks again.


History

This Lotus 51 was produced in 1966, but due to its 1600cc crossflow engine, it is considered a 1967 Vintage Ford. It most likly started life as a Russell of England Driver's School car before coming to the States. It was reported, by a former owner, to have been raced with two other Lotus 51s as a exhibtion for a business in Las Vegas during the late 60s - early 70s. We bought it in 1988 and have autocrossed, hillclimbed and went though Drivers' School with it before giving it a frame up restoration in May 1997. It was then raced at 13 events over a number of years. Since 2000, it has been sitting in storage. Performance Data

• FF 1600
  
• 910 lbs
  

Engine

• Ford
  
• Cortina , uprated
  
• 1600 cc
  
• Weber twin choke downdraft
  
• Cortina crossflow cast iron
  
• 711 cast iron
  
• ceramic coated headers
  

Fuel System

• Fuel Tank
  
• 5 gallons
  
• electric fuel pump
  
• gasoline
  

Oil/Water System

• yes
  
• front
  
• belt driven
  
• yes
  
• front
  

Electrical System

• lightweight alternator
  

Transmission

• Renault
  
• R8 four speed
  
• new layshaft, reverse idler cam gear, bearings, and seals installed 1997
  

Body

• Fiberglass
  
• Yellow w/green
  
• enamel
  
• good
  

Chassis

• Spaceframe
  
• Arch Motors
  
• Nickelbronze brazed steel tubes
  
• grey paint
  
• good
  
• Independant double a-arms, nickelplated, cood condition
  
• Independant, nickelplated a-arms, and links, good condition
  
• Original adjustable Armstrongs rebuilt 1997
  
• Girling calipers w/four wheel discs
  
• rack and pinion
  
• 3 piece alloy or if prefer steel rims
  
• Avon
  

Interior

• Buckskin seat cover and dash
  
• 6 point racing harness
  
• Smith oil pressure, water temp and tach
  
• Original recoved in black suede
  
• good
  

Spares

• Original nose
  
• New body undertray