Formula Ford was a specification racing series created on the idea that the best drivers would win if they were racing identical cars. The idea for this low-budget Formula was created by an Englishman named Geoffrey Clarke, who had a driver’s school called Motor Racing Stables based at the Brands Hatch circuit. Clarke received support from Ford’s competition manager, Henry Taylor, and Ford’s director of public affairs, Walter Hayes. Ford supplied their 1600-cc Cortina GT engine, as well as their backing and name. Lotus Components built a car based on the Lotus 31 Formula 3 car, calling it the Lotus 51 Formula Ford. Ironically, this early car had a Renault gearbox. They sold for the affordable price of just under £1,000, making racing in this series very affordable, since a Formula 3 car of the day cost over £3,000. The Royal Automobile Club, Britain’s governing body, established a set of racing regulations. The first official race was held at Brands Hatch on July 2, 1967. From 1967 to the present, the Formula Ford series has produced some very exciting racing in many different makes of racing cars, as well as developing some great drivers and future champions, including Michael Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, Tim Schenken, Jody Scheckter and Ayrton Senna. Today, historic Formula Ford is an entry-level racing category and for the purposes of this guide, covers cars from 1967 to 1972. Keep in mind the greatest single factor in determining the value of a Formula Ford is the quality and cost of its preparation.
Make
Model
Acceptance
Level III
Level II
Level I
Change
Notes
Alexis
14
3
$8,000
$12,000
$17,000
15
3
$8,000
$12,000
$17,000
18, 18B
3
$9,000
$14,000
$18,000
3
22
3
$9,000
$14,000
$19,000
3
Beach
Mk II
3
$7,500
$15,000
$21,000
3
Bobsy
3
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
Caldwell
D9, D9B
3
$8,000
$16,000
$23,000
Crossle
16F
3
$9,000
$13,000
$17,000
3
20F
3
$10,000
$13,000
$20,000
3
Dulon
LD4, 4B, 4C
3
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
LD9
3
$6,000
$11,000
$17,000
Elden
PH6
3
$5,000
$11,000
$17,000
PH8
3
$5,000
$12,000
$18,000
PH10
3
$6,000
$13,000
$20,000
Elfin
600
3
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
3
Forsgrini
Mk 12
3
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
3
Ginetta
G-18
3
$7,000
$12,000
$17,500
3
Hawke
DL2, 2A, 2B
3
$7,500
$11,000
$19,000
DL9, 9A
3
$10,000
$12,000
$21,500
LeGrand
Mk 10
3
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
Lola
T200
3
$6,000
$11,000
$18,000
T202
3
$6,500
$12,000
$20,000
T204
3
$7,000
$13,000
$21,000
Lotus
51 A,B,C
3
$12,000
$18,000
$29,500
61M, MX
3
$9,000
$15,000
$20,000
69
3
$19,000
$26,500
$37,000
3
Macon
MR 7B
3
$4,000
$9,000
$14,000
3
MR8, 8B
3
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
3
March
709, 719, 729
3
$10,000
$14,000
$21,000
McNamara
FFA
3
$4,000
$9,000
$15,000
3
Merlyn
Mk11, 11A
3
$12,000
$17,000
$25,000
Merlyn
Mk17, 17A
3
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
Mk20, 20A
3
$12,000
$17,000
$22,000
Mirage
Mk5
3
$5,000
$9,000
$15,000
3
Mistrale
3
$5,000
$9,000
$15,000
3
Nike
Mk 4, 6, 10
3
$5,000
$9,000
$15,000
3
Royale
RP2
3
$5,000
$10,000
$17,000
RP3, 3A
3
$7,500
$11,000
$19,000
Tecno
FF
3
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
3
Titan
Mk 4, 5
3
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
3
Mk 6,6A,6B,6C
3
$10,000
$15,000
$24,000
Winkelman
WDF1,2,3,4
3
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
1969 Crossle 16F
The Crossle Race Car Company was started in Ireland in 1957 by John and Rosemary Crossle. Crossle was well-respected for its good design, production quality and attention to detail for a fair value. Crossle produced Formula Juniors, Formula 2, Formula 5000 and Sports Racing Cars. The 16F was the company’s first venture into Formula Ford in 1969. About 40 examples were built in 1969 and 1970. They were very successful, with Gerry Birrel winning the 1969 European Formula Ford Championship in a 16F. The 16F was followed by the 20F, of which 26 were built in 1971 and 1972. Eddie Jordan started in a 20F. These cars were known for their sturdiness and reliability and, as a result, were used by many driving schools. Over the years, famous drivers such as Nigel Mansel, Johnny Dumfries and John Watson all drove Crossle racing cars.
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