The 1967 Dutch Grand Prix, run on the famed Zandvoort circuit, saw the fairy tale debut of both the Lotus 49 chassis and the Ford Cosworth V8 engine.
Graham Hill took pole position on 49/R1, the prototype Lotus Ford 49, after Jim Clark experienced mechanical problems in practice and was only able to qualify 8th on the grid. On race day, however, Clark was able to move through the field and then ahead; giving both the Lotus 49 chassis and the Cosworth Ford V8 engine their first victory on their first attempt!
Our item #GPC97001 is a carefully crafted replica of the Lotus 49/R2: Jim Clark's winning car at Zandvoort, as it raced on that historic day. Clark continued to drive 49/R2 for the rest of the 1967 season, winning three more Grand Prix races.
Furthermore, he also won the Spanish (non-championship) race at Jarama in this monoposto. That same year, Clark actually added a fourth Grand Prix victory to his career; in Mexico with a 1967 Lotus 49, but this was chassis 49/R1. Mexican driver, Moises Solana, was the one who drove 49/R2 during the Grand Prix of Mexico. However, the latter retired from the race.
After the 1967 season, 49/R2 was sold to the privately owned racing team of Rob Walker and was campaigned by Jo Siffert for the first part of the 1968 season.