One to Buy: ex-works 1969 Brands Hatch 6 Hours winning Lotus 62
Lotus created the Type 62 for a works campaign in the 1969 two-litre Group 6 Prototype class. Two chassis were built and they appeared in the same Gold Leaf colours as the Team Lotus F1 cars.
Using a brand new tubular spaceframe enhanced with riveted alloy sheet for a semi-monocoque effect, Lotus incorporated the latest F1-style suspension and wheels along with a 240bhp fuel-injected Vauxhall-derived inline ‘four’ hooked up to a five-speed ZF gearbox.
Even though Lotus was only able to run one Type 62 until the second half of 1969, the model ultimately collected six wins from nine outings that year. Highlights were class victories at the Brands Hatch 6 Hours and Oulton Park Tourist Trophy plus of course outright victory at the Brands Hatch Guards Trophy.
With just two examples ever built, opportunities to buy a Type 62 are understandably rare, however, one is currently on offer at the Grand Prix Classics showroom in La Jolla, California.
Chassis 01 was raced throughout that successful 1969 campaign, picking up the Brands Hatch 6 Hours win and another at the Zandvoort Dunes Trophy.
More recently, the car underwent an exacting high end restoration during the mid 1990s. Since that time, chassis 01 has made appearances at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Monterey Historics.
Reprinted below is Grand Prix Classics’ description:
Year: 1969
Color: Gold Leaf Colors of Red, White, and Gold
Chassis#: 62-001
Engine: Lotus LV240 2-Liter, No. 035
Gearbox: ZF 5-Speed, 5DS-12
History:
An evolution of the Lotus Type 47, designed to race in the appendix J Group 6 prototype class. Only two cars were built. Raced in Team Lotus Gold Leaf colors, by John Miles and Brian Muir. With numerous class wins, including BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch and Zandvoort. A known and documented history from new. In the same Lotus collection for the past 38 years.
Description:
Designed by Martin Waide at Lotus Components, it had a new multi tubular space frame chassis and a much wider three-piece fiberglass body with removeable front and rear sections. Wide enough to accommodate Formula one size wheels and tires. 12” rims at the front and 15” rims at the rear. There were two winglets at the front and two larger spoilers at the rear for added downforce.
Many of the design ideas and components came from the successful Lotus 49 Formula One car. The front and rear suspension, the ZF gearbox, the uprights and other parts. The engine was first based on the 2-Liter Vauxhall block with a new Lotus designed internal build and Tecalemit Fuel-Injection, producing about 240hp.
Weighing in at 1250lbs, the Type 62 was a formidable competitor in the 2-Liter class.
Restoration:
During the ownership of Alex Bollinger from 1986 to 1995, a complete tear down and rebuild of the chassis, body and mechanicals by Lotus experts was carried out to the highest level. The chassis and fabrication were done by Rick Cresse of Tri – C Engineering Sun Valley, California. The engine rebuild was by John Koba of Heathel Engineering in Chatsworth, California. The gearbox by Transaxle Engineering of Chatsworth, California. Other work and assembly by Alex and Kevin Bollinger.
There is a large photo album recording the restoration process.
Approximately 6 to 8 hours’ time on the car since restoration.
Condition:
Recipient of a professional bare chassis restoration by Lotus Marque experts, including chassis, body, and all mechanical components, suspension, brakes, engine, and gearbox rebuild. As built by Lotus in 1969.
Historic Racing:
Its first outing was at the Monterey Historic races in 1995 at Laguna Seca. It was also at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 1998 for the 50th anniversary of Lotus cars.
Of Note:
Documented ownership from new. In the care of one Lotus collector for the past 38 years.
One of two Lotus 62 factory team cars built.
Documented professional restoration.
Race eligibility.
This is an exceedingly rare collector car, ready to be raced or shown.
