2nd exhibition of the magazine Autodiva

English automobile racing manufacturers

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Enthusiasts of all countries have always considered England as the "Temple" of automobile sport. Since the end of Second World War, the largest manufacturers of racing cars were established in this country, and they carried off numerous World champions’ titles. Often starting in obscure places at the far end of cobblestones alleyways, they progressively imported all the major innovations of Auto racing.

Cooper popularized the mid-engine layout when all other manufacturers were still using front power.

Lotus invented modern double wishbone suspension and ultra-light chassis, and created the first single-seater Formula 1 to be entirely monocoque.

By covering all disciplines (F1, F2, F3, FFR, Indy, Protos, Canam), Lola became the largest worldwide manufacturer of racecars.

March, from the first year of its existence, manufactured Formula 1 for Jackie Stewart, Chris Amon, Mario Andretti or Joseph Siffert.

Brabham, an Australian settled in England, became the first World champion of Formula 1 with a single-seater bearing his name.

McLaren, a New Zealander settled in England, manufactured the nicest models of the American Canam series before ruling the world of Formula 1 for many years.

Chevron became one of the largest suppliers of chassis in international categories such as Formula 2, Formula 3 or Proto 2 liters.

Surtees , after having been a motorbike World champion, became World champion of Formula 1, and later also a manufacturer.

Tyrrell, a wood trader who became a Formula 1 manufacturer, carried Jackie Stewart to two of his three World champion titles in Formula 1!

A fantastic network of artisan manufacturers !

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As one can see, for almost half a century, the "Perfidious Albion" was the only one to provide enthusiasts of single-seaters or prototypes with what they needed: all the drivers who once reached the summits of automobile sports sooner or later raced with an English car. There is such a network of subcontractors that specialize in chassis, suspensions, reservoirs, wing tips, gearboxes, etc., that it is much easier to become a manufacturer there than anywhere else.

It is no coincidence that all current big auto race stables are established in England. If one adds to this quick panorama names like Cosworth, the world largest race engine manufacturer; Hewland, the world largest gearboxes manufacturer; or extraordinary engine manufacturers such as Judd or Hart, one gets a better understanding of why nobody has ever been able to heave themselves up to this level. All these manufacturers made drivers and teams happy for years. Italy and, to a lesser degree, France and Germany excepted, England can definitely be considered as the "Fatherland" of worldwide automobile sports.

A spectacular exhibition !

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For this second exhibition presented by the magazine Autodiva as part of Epoqu’auto, about fifteen cars were chosen amongst the most representative of the lavish diversity of English manufacturers. You will be able to admire several Formula 1 such as the Surtees TS9B of the late great champion Mike Hailwood, the Tyrrell 025 which came close to feat during a Grand prix of Monaco in the hands of Finnish Mika Salo, several Formula 2 such as the Lotus 69 of the model that drove Jochen Rindt, the only World champion to have been crowned posthumously after his tragic death on Monza circuit, or the Brabham BT30 driven in 1970 by Jackie Stewart or Jack Brabham. There will also be several Formula 3 such as the Chevron B34 driven in 1970 by Jackie Stewart or Jack Brabham. There will also be several Formula 3 such as the , an archetype of the seventies independent driver’s single-seater.

Also in display: Indy Car single-seaters of the 500 Miles of Indianapolis, such as Lola T91, a model that the great champion Mario Andretti drove. In the prototype category, you will be able to admire a mythical model that became a legend: the Lola T70, or Protos 2 liters such as Chevron B19 and Lola T292, which were the driving forces of the 2 liters European championship.

In brief, this exhibition will present an extraordinary sample of the most spectacular models that got the enthusiasts dreaming!