Roger Bevan sitting in his Yellow,1971 Lotus 69, previously driven by Emmerson Fittipaldi, during the 2019 Silverstone Classic Media/Test Day
Lotus evidently liked the name 69 so much that they applied it to three different car models. Many sources will tell you that variants of the Type 69 were specifically designed for Formula Two, Formula Three, and Formula Ford respectively.¹ Additionally, some of the Formula Three Type 69's were set-up for racing in North America's Formula B class. Exactly one Formula Two Type 69 was bought second hand, heavily modified by its owner, and then entered in two Formula One races. Surely the Lotus Type 69 must have been one of the most versatile racecars ever built, right? Consider this: the Formula Two Type 69 had a semi-monocoque chassis from the firewall forward whereas Formula Fords weren't even allowed to have stressed skins! Furthermore, Formula Two and Formula Ford Type 69s had entirely different suspensions and brake packages - distinct designs with no shared parts. The Formula Two Type 69 had huge racing slicks on magnesium wheels, whereas the Formula Ford Type 69 raced on skinny treaded street tires and steel disc wheels. Perhaps from some angle the bodywork may have looked similar, but no part of it was interchangeable. The Formula Two body was wide in the middle to house fuel cells, and big wings were attached at both front and rear. Openings for radiators were sized differently. And then there was a Formula Three Type 69: somewhere between the two extremes and truly its own distinct model too. A potential customer (or modern historian) might have great difficulty pinning down an accurate definition of its unique features. We'll try. How successful were these cars on the racetrack? In his Type 69, Jochen Rindt dominated the first Formula Two race of the 1970 season but focused on Formula One through mid-season. (Rindt died tragically while testing his Lotus Formula One car for the Italian Grand Prix race in September 1970.) In 1971, Emerson Fittipaldi drove a Formula Two 69 to five victories.
Size: 5161px × 3363px
Location: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northamptonshire NN12 8TN
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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