In the early 1960s the mid-engined revolution also spread through the sports car ranks. Introduced late in 1960, one of the earliest of these convention defying machines was the Lotus 19 Climax. Effectively a Lotus Formula 1 car with two seats, it was victorious first time out in the hands of Stirling Moss. In its original guise, the 19 used the same FPF Climax engine that powered the Lotus and Cooper F1 cars. Unfortunately it was short in supply, so only seventeen 19s were eventually built. They were raced with great success on both sides of the Atlantic by some of the day's most talented drivers. In North America several were re-engined with more powerful V8s and continued to be raced for many year. The final example built was modified by the factory to 19B specification and fitted with a V8 from new. The first of the two Lotus 19s featured was raced extensively by Dan Gurney. His biggest victory came early in 1962 when he rolled down the bank at Daytona to win the 3 Hours sports car race with a seized engine. The second was originally raced by the unfortunate Canadian talent Peter Ryan.
While Lotus focused on single seaters, other British sports car manufacturers emerged. Among them was McLaren, who would go on to dominate the legendary Can-Am Challenge Cup. In the first Can-Am season the works team fielded the M1B Chevrolet. Using a conventional spaceframe chassis, it was outpaced by the more sophisticated Lola T70. Using the lessons learned in 1966, McLaren turned the tables a year later, comprehensively beating the competition. The M1B was nevertheless a success for the fledgling company as Elva built 28 customer cars under license. This M1B is one of just four constructed by McLaren themselves and raced by Chris Amon in the Can-Am series. Until very recently it remained hidden in the United States but finally returned to British soil for the Goodwood Festival of Speed where we captured it in great detail.

Enjoy the links:

1960 - 1962 Lotus 19 Climax - Images, Specifications and Information

1965 - 1966 McLaren M1B Chevrolet - Images, Specifications and Information

1963 Lotus 19B Ford - Images, Specifications and Information