Public tribute to privateer

The ex-Jo Siffert 1968 British Grand Prix winning Lotus 49 will be the jewel in the crown of a special tribute to legendary privateer entrant Rob Walker (below) on the Saturday of Goodwood’s Revival Meeting. Geoff Farmer, who bought chassis R7 in July, also intends to race it there, following a superhuman effort by Simon Hadfield’s team to restore it in just six weeks.

Last raced in the 1970 German GP by Graham Hill (while Walker awaited Lotus 72-4) it will be the most original of the three genuine 49s at the event. It has apparently not turned a wheel since Emerson Fittipaldi demonstrated it at Hockenheim in 1975, and will be back on 15in front wheels, courtesy of Classic Team Lotus.

“But for a cracked rear bulkhead, the monocoque was not in bad shape,” said Hadfield. “We were worried were when the first three components we took out of the box failed crack tests, but fortunately everything else was OK. The roll hoop is back in ’68 spec, and we’ve had to make a new nose, but it’s come together very well. Even the engine has some original parts.”