Description:

This Lotus 69 probably has the best competition record of any historic Formula Ford in the U.S. Driven by
IMSA driver John Fergus it has consistently been one of the cars contesting the lead, invariably with
victorious results. The combination of driver and car has been unbeatable but the Lotus 69 is something of
a legend in it's own right. Based on the successful 1969 and 70 F3 and F2 chassis it was reluctantly
produced by Lotus Components after type 51 and 61 sales began to lag. It immediately established itself
as the dominant chassis of 1971 and no sooner than it's superiority was established Lotus decided to leave
the customer race car business in mid season for a variety of reasons unrelated to the car. The U.S. Lotus
importer and racer Fred Stevenson campaigned a type 69FF in 1971 and won ten of ten National races, setting
five lap records in the process. He failed to win the Runoffs only because of engine problems. In mid
year Lotus precipitously withdrew from the market as the result of internal squabbles and left Fred with
17 unfilled orders for Lotus 69 Formula Fords. For pre-72 Historic Formula Ford it is certainly the "killer
car". It's desirability from a performance perspective is further enhanced by the limited production figure
of around 20 cars.


History

The car is one of a handful of Lotus 69 Formula Fords which made it to the US prior to Lotus
Components shutting their doors. Such was the demand for these cars in the early 70's in the US that
type 69 F3 cars were imported and converted to Formula Ford spec. The car was built as a Formula Ford and
originally had orange bodywork. Build for the US market, the Lotus sales records indicate it was shipped
to an "R.P.M.M." This particular car spent it's early
career in the US Northest. It held the Formula Ford lap record at Bridgehampton from 1972 thru 1975.
The car was owned in the mid seventies by Bruce Miller who then restored it for John Fergus 15 years later.



Competition History

This car must have one of the highest percentages of wins of any Historic Formula Ford in the US and perhaps
anywhere.


Engine

• Ford "Kent" 1600cc. crossflow
  
• Built and maintained by Ivey Engines (uprated)
  
• Dry sump
  

Body

• Fibreglass cowling and separate nose
  
• Alloy side panels
  

Chassis

• mild steel tubular spaceframe of primarily rectagular section tubing, nickel -bronze brazed
  
• Front Suspension: double wishbones, double adjustable aluminum bodied Konis, coil over
  
• Rear Suspension: lower reverse wishbone, top link, dual trailing arms, double adjustable aluminum bodied Konis, coil over
  
• Steering: rack and pinion
  
• Brakes: Girling 12sp calipers, cast iron rotors
  
• Wheels: Lotus Cortina 5-1/2Jx13 (correct original fitment)
  

Interior

• Six point harness
  
• Fire System